Kurt Gerron

Kurt Gerron gefeiert und gejagt, 1897-1944 : das Schicksal eines deutschen Unterhaltungskünstlers : Berlin, Amsterdam, Theresienstadt, Auschwitz

A biography of the Jewish actor and director. In 1933 he was dismissed from the Ufa film studio and left Germany, first for Paris, later Vienna, and at last Amsterdam. In September 1943 he was deported via Westerbork to Theresienstadt. Describes conditions in the two camps and the cultural life, particularly the cabarets, organized by the Jewish inmates with the encouragement of the Nazis. Gerron took part in these, and in Theresienstadt founded his own cabaret, the "Karussell". In 1944 he was ordered by the SS to direct the propaganda film on Theresienstadt. As each participant finished his part, he was deported to Auschwitz - including Gerron himself. Pp. 113-120 contain stills from the film. Pp. 121-139 contain photos of life in the ghetto, taken in secret by the film's Czech cameraman Ivan Frič. Pp. 140-144 present an interview with Frič.
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