Qualtinger, Helmut#
Qualtinger, Helmut, b. Vienna, Oct. 8, 1928, d. Vienna, Sept. 29, 1986, actor, comedian, satirical writer. 1946 founded the comedy group "Studio der Hochschulen" with M. Kehlmann, 1946/47 worked with C. Merz in the revue theatre "Lieber Augustin" and wrote with G. Bronner, P. Wehle and G. Kreisler the legendary revues "Brettl vorm Kopf" (1952), "Dachl ueberm Kopf" (1956) and "Glasl vorm Aug" (1960); recordings of satirical songs such as "Der g´schupfte Ferdl" or "Der Papa wird´s schon richten" as well as the "Travnicek" dialogues (with G. Bronner) became classics of the Viennese Kabarett. His biggest success was "Der Herr Karl" (written with C. Merz, 1961 as a TV production). Apart from his work as a comedian Q. played at the Vienna Volkstheater, contributed to theatre, film, television and radio productions as an actor and author; readings from works such as "Die letzten Tage der Menschheit" by K. Kraus or "Mein Kampf" by A. Hitler; 1986 acted together with S. Connery in the film version of U. Eco´s novel "Der Name der Rose".
Works#
Blattl vorm Mund, 1959; Traumwagen aus zweiter Hand, 1961, Alles gerettet, 1963; Die Hinrichtung, 1965; An der lauen Donau, 1965 (all with C. Merz). - Das letzte Lokal, 1978; Die rot-weiss-rote Rasse, 1979; Drei Viertel ohne Takt, 1980; Heimat, bist du grosser Zwerge, 1984. - Edition: H. Q., Werkausgabe, ed. by T. Krischke, 5 vols., 1995-1997.Literature#
M. Horowitz, H. Q., 1987; M. Kehlmann et al., Der Q., 1987; A. Kubacek, Der Herr Karl: eine sprachliche Untersuchung, master´s thesis, Vienna 1989; M. Kehlmann and G. Biron, Der Q., 1995; G. Wendt, H. Q., ein Leben, 21999.