Fritz Grünbaum

Research in the past few years has focused on the significance of political and literary cabaret in Vienna and Berlin until 1938. What has been missing so far, is a comprehensive depiction of the variety of this scene in Vienna and Berlin. Many cabaret artists were active in a number of fields: Not only as cabaret artists, but also as librettists for cabaret, revues and opera, as well as screenplay writers for the beginning era of sound film in the 1920s. In addition, they also often acted successfully in theatre and film. One of these talented personalities, who was present, known and successful in all of these areas, especially in Vienna and Berlin, was Fritz Grünbaum (1880 - 1941). Consideration of his person presents the possibility to take a look at the development of the German language cabaret until 1938. Grünbaum worked in Vienna as well as Berlin, and so far, a comparison of these two cities until 1933 has been lacking in academic research. Furthermore, a critical text analysis with regard to style as well as content has also not yet been considered. In order to portray the personality, life and works of Fritz Grünbaum, it is necessary to discuss several related aspects: - the cultural climate in his prime spheres of activity (Brno, Vienna, Berlin), - the conditions under which cabaret, operetta, theatre, revue and film were produced and received during the first third of the 20th century, - the way in which staff, colleagues and other relevant personalities are portrayed, - cultural life in Brno in the last third of the 19th century, - the cabaret scene in Vienna and Berlin around 1900, - and the passage from the silver operetta to the revue. Special attention will be given to the development and significance of sound film, as Fritz Grünbaum acted in over 10 films in the years 1931 and 1932, as well as writing screenplays. His film career ended when the National Socialists took over power in Germany. In addition, Fritz Grünbaum wrote the lyrics to over 100 chansons. His meaning as a collector of art will also be discussed. The time Fritz Grünbaum spent in the concentration camps of Buchenwald and Dachau is to be reconstructed and supplemented by accounts of other inmates. The history of the reception of his works, a comprehensive and annotated register of Grünbaum`s companions (librettists, composers, actors etc) and a detailed register of his works are to be drawn up in order to show for the first time the wide spectrum of Grünbaum`s work.

Various aspects have been studied in order to shed more light on the life and oeuvre of Fritz Grünbaum. As there is no complete version of the literary remains documents and other material in various European archives and libraries were researched and analyzed (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, England, Denmark, Sweden). The result was the realization that there is far more material than had been assumed at the initial stages of the project. In some areas, a basis for further study could be laid down although there was no time for a detailed study. Special attention was given to Grünbaum`s colleagues, and a catalogue listing the people he worked with - composers, librettists, cabaret artists, singers and actors - was established in order to prevent them from sinking into oblivion and to facilitate further research into their lives. This project was able to lay down a basis, however, further studies especially in this area will be necessary. New sources have been opened up, e.g. by means of the systematic analysis of "Die Frechheit" ("Insolence"), a cabaretistic newspaper in Berlin, which was edited by the "Cabaret of Comedians" ("Kabarett der Komiker") from 1924 onwards. Fritz Grünbaum often wrote texts for this newspaper, which also saw contributions by its other editors - Kurt Tucholsky, Erich Kästner, Alfred Polgar, Paul Morgan, Anton Kuh and Kurt Robitschek. It is one of the most important sources in the illustration of the environment, political radicalization and programming of Berlin`s main literary cabaret. The various issues are scattered in the State Archive ("Landesarchiv") in Berlin, the German Library ("Deutsche Bibliothek") in Leipzig and the Austrian Theatre Museum ("Österreichisches Theatermuseum"). 2005 saw the 125th anniversary of Fritz Grünbaum`s birthday. The celebration of this anniversary prompted a variety of events showing that the public is greatly interested in Grünbaum as a person. The events which took place were: an exhibition at the Austrian Theatre Museum (Vienna 2005, Brno 2006) - further institutions such as the Jewish Museums in Frankfurt and Berlin have shown an interest in the exhibition. Marie-Theres Arnbom and Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz, "Grüß mich Gott! Fritz Grünbaum - a biography", the book accompanying the exhibition in the Austrian Theatre Museum, Vienna 2005 a documentary in the ORF, the Austrian public TV network (2005) events at the "Wiener Volksoper", one of Vienna`s opera houses (2005) lectures and events at the Austrian Theatre Museum, the "Theater LEO" in Vienna etc. text editions published by the Austrian editor "Moldenverlag". In addition to a book with texts - by Grünbaum, further books with works by his colleagues Fritz Löhner-Beda and Paul Morgan were published in 2005. Media interest at all of these events was high and as a consequence, public interest in and knowledge about Fritz Grünbaum has increased compared to the time before the start of the research project. Furthermore, interest in the time and genre of cabaret have grown. Operetta has also become the focus of more attention, not least due to the commitment of several artists who have included Grünbaum`s works in their repertory.