The screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's 1953 film I Confess serves as a primary example of the diverse creative contributions made by George Tabori. Throughout a career spanning several decades and multiple continents, he navigated roles as an author, journalist, translator, and theatre director, leaving behind a vast body of work that bridged literature and the performing arts.
Early Life and Migration
Born in 1914 in Budapest, George Tabori grew up as the son of Kornél and Elsa Tábori. He spent his early youth in Hungary before moving to Berlin. Following his departure from Germany in 1935, he relocated to London, where he maintained a career as a journalist for the BBC and secured British citizenship. In 1947, he immigrated to the United States.
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Upon arriving in the United States, Tabori established himself as a screenwriter and novelist. His literary debut, Beneath The Stone, appeared in 1945, followed by works such as Companions of The Left Hand and Original Sin. His film credits included screenplays for Thunder in the East and No Exit, in addition to his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock. During his years in America, he received training at the Actors Studio.
Theatrical Contributions
Tabori's focus shifted increasingly toward theatre in the late 1960s. His plays, including The Niggerlovers, The Cannibals, and Pinkville, were produced in New York City. At the University of Pennsylvania, he taught courses in dramatic writing. In 1970, his play The Prince was adapted into the film Leo the Last, directed by John Boorman and starring Marcello Mastroianni, which earned the Director's Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
Later Years in Europe
Moving to West Germany in 1971, Tabori concentrated his efforts on directing and writing for the stage in Munich, Vienna, and Berlin. His theatrical output from this period included pieces such as Goldberg Variations and Mein Kampf. His work received significant recognition, including the Berliner Kunstpreis, the Georg Büchner Prize, and the Kassel Literary Prize. He died in 2007 in Berlin and is buried at the Dorotheenstadt Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1914, Budapest
- Died: 2007, Berlin
- Citizenships: Hungary, United States, United Kingdom
- Education: Actors Studio
- Notable Award: Georg Büchner Prize (1992)
- Burial Site: Dorotheenstadt Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What is the primary language of Tabori's work?
He worked in German, English, Yiddish, and Hungarian.
Did Tabori work in film direction?
Yes, he was active as a film director, screenwriter, and playwright throughout his career.
Achievements
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Worked as playwright, film director and screenwriter
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