New-York tribune., 1922-12-10
By Emil Lengyel

reply:
TO the gossip Of the Budapest
cafe"
This opinion may seem eccentric. but
20 the connoisseur Of the Budapest
cafe il will appear very plausible.
Whatever may be said Of the cafe as
an institution Of the Hungarian capi-
tai. II cannot be denied that Il fur
nlshes the best means Of studying
human nature. However detrimental
or even eatastrophal gossip may be in
general. II exploited for artistic pur-
poses, a. alleged 70 be the case with
the Hungarian drama. il may even fur
ther the ends Of humanity.
Il Is held by good many persons
that indiscretion is as essential to
writer a. sunshine 70 the flower. Some
literary critics even point out that
many OF the best works human brains
ever produced owe their existence 10
some breach OF discretion commit
ted BY describing occurrences Of which
authors we're unwelcome witnesses. In
this sense. not every gossip can be
treated as repulsive and unfit TO serve
the art OF letters.
The cafes Of Budapest are par excel
lenec social eenters in which people
meet every time Of the day when they
can snatch a few minutes, even IL only
10 tell or hear couple Of anecdotes,
relate or receive the newest in gossip
land. These gossip parties Of the Buda-
pest cafes sometimes reveal the depths
and heights OF human life to those who
want 70 see and have the talent 10 dis
cover in the petty family tragedies and
comedies the universally human.
In these cafes have grown up. in the
literary sense. the most successful
Hungarian authors; in this atmosphere
developcd the modern Hungarian social
drama. In the midst Of this shallow
gossip Of everyday life we're born the
fometimos nearly classical but at all
events always genial revelations OF
Ferenez Molnar, author Of "Liliom' and
Of Fashions for Men," now playing in
New York; Melehior Lengyel and Louis
Bifo. authors OF THE Czarina'; r..
Herezeg. Of "The Blue Fox; Alexander
Brody. Of "Lca Lyon" and Gabriel
Dregcly. Of "Thc TailorMade Man
10 mention only the best known names.
All Of the authors were--some Of them
still arc habitues Of the Cafe New
York. tho literary cafe Of Budapest.
II is often said, and with much jus
tIfication we must confess, that IN
these democratic times IL is not the
poet-rulcrs who have an unehallenged
command over their public, As formerly.
Rather, the public directs the authors
with absolute sovereignty what and
how n write.
Were this theory accepted II would
be superauous 20 analyzc the writers
and the structure Of their brains. In
stead we would substitute new meth
ods Of research 10 ascertain the real
Renihcanee OF mass phenomena.
Due allowance made for the role OF
the authors in influencing their audi
ences. the scrutiny Of the psyche Of the
Hungarian theatergoing public would
disclose that its reaction on the quality
Of literary products is rather bene-
fetal.
This salutary influence OF the public
IA 20 be attributed TO It's, let US say
.y,s,oeratic character. This designa-
tlon certainly does not mean In. this
connection a social, only literary
classification. II means that the Hun
rarian authors do not write for great
mass Of rather undeveloped literary
taste. but for highly cultivated few
gathered In one city Budapest
There ia no theater in Hungary worth
the name outside Of Budapest and
there Is no theatergoing public outside
Of the capital. IL is only natural un'
der these Circumstances that the au-
tbors have 20 live in Budapest too.
aTh;s complete GENERALIZATION Of the lh-
rarv energies Of the land. coupled
with the implied keen competition and
the oauto-inspiration" Of the Literary
corps" proved highly promoting to the
Hungarian drama.
To understand the characteristics OF
the Hungarian drama Il must be borne
IN mind that this educated public Of
the Budapest theaters wants something
more than the graphical description OF
life. everyday or otherwise, and that
this IL tint OF classical "reminiscences.
Phrases fragrant with para6oxiesl
evnieism must be flashed in the plays
which can be repeated in society with
the air Of wearied superiority. Real
classical heights are welcome in the
plavs. but they must be expressed in a
form easily understandable. without.
however, being enjoyable by the pro-
fanum vulgus.
In order TO understand the Hun
earisn theater more thoroughly 1t is
necessary 10 know that the Hungarian
authors. almost without exception,
were. and for the most part still are,
active newspaper men. II there Is
something Of the attractive everyday
lie IN the Hungarian drama Il Is due
- this circumstance.
Il must not be forgotten, either, that
the Hungarian theaters, or at least a
considerable number Of them. are not
-. 81, q ,fgid burinees basis. The