to Heart Attack While to Heart Attack While
Working on Play Working on Play
(Speclal to The New York Revlew.) (Speclal to The New York Revlew.)
Vienna, Oct. 23.—Arthur Schnitzler, Vienna, Oct. 23.—Arthur Schnitzler,
mous playwright, poet and novelist, mous playwright, poet and novelist,
died this week of a heart stroke, at died this week of a heart stroke, at
(he age of 69. For the last two years (he age of 69. For the last two years
be had suffered from heart disease be had suffered from heart disease
but he had not allowed it to interfere but he had not allowed it to interfere
with his work. Dr. Schnitzler was with his work. Dr. Schnitzler was
stricken while working on the last act stricken while working on the last act
of the play “The Call of Life." which of the play “The Call of Life." which
he had set himself to rewrite. He was he had set himself to rewrite. He was
found lying unconscious on the floor found lying unconscious on the floor
by his secretary and was carried to by his secretary and was carried to
his bed. He never regained con¬ his bed. He never regained con¬
sciousness. sciousness.
Schnitzler's fame was world-wide, Schnitzler's fame was world-wide,
and his principal works had been and his principal works had been
translated into many languages. translated into many languages.
Shortly before his death he was con¬ Shortly before his death he was con¬
sidering a suggestion of Joseph sidering a suggestion of Joseph
Schildkraut that he write for the Schildkraut that he write for the
talking films. talking films.
Arthur Schnitzler was a physician Arthur Schnitzler was a physician
and a Viennese. He acquired from and a Viennese. He acquired from
one role a combination of intelleotual one role a combination of intelleotual
aloofness and a warm sympathy, and aloofness and a warm sympathy, and
from the other a somewhat paradoxical from the other a somewhat paradoxical
union of brightness with an under¬ union of brightness with an under¬
current of melancholy. He was of current of melancholy. He was of
Jewish extraction and, spending his Jewish extraction and, spending his
life in an anti-Semitic clty, was ex¬ life in an anti-Semitic clty, was ex¬
posed to abuse and criticism. His oc¬ posed to abuse and criticism. His oc¬
casional pessimism perhaps came to casional pessimism perhaps came to
him from these experiences. him from these experiences.
He was born in Vienna on May 15, He was born in Vienna on May 15,
1862, in what is now called Prater 1862, in what is now called Prater
Street. His father was a physician Street. His father was a physician
much in favor with the stars of the much in favor with the stars of the
opera and theatre and the aristocracy; opera and theatre and the aristocracy;
an editor, a professor and the re¬ an editor, a professor and the re¬
cipent of foreign decorations. The cipent of foreign decorations. The
son grew up in an atmosphere of son grew up in an atmosphere of
luxury and followed the usual lines of luxury and followed the usual lines of
education. He graduated from the education. He graduated from the
Academic Gymnasium in 1879, and Academic Gymnasium in 1879, and
then went to the University of Vienna then went to the University of Vienna
as a student of medicine, winning his as a student of medicine, winning his
degree in 1885. degree in 1885.
Always interested in the life of a Always interested in the life of a
physician, despite his later withdrawal physician, despite his later withdrawal
from it, Schnitzler spent the next few from it, Schnitzler spent the next few
years in various clinics. Once he went years in various clinics. Once he went
to London to study hospital conditions. to London to study hospital conditions.
He was in addition a reviewer of He was in addition a reviewer of
medicinal books and an editor of a medicinal books and an editor of a
medical journal founded by his father medical journal founded by his father
Of late years there sprang up a legend Of late years there sprang up a legend
that, regardless of his fame in an¬ that, regardless of his fame in an¬
other fleld, he still practiced the arts other fleld, he still practiced the arts
of his carlier love; that is wrong; he of his carlier love; that is wrong; he
left medieine, save for his undying left medieine, save for his undying
interest in it, thirty years ago. interest in it, thirty years ago.
His literary compositions trace back His literary compositions trace back
to the age of 9, when he wrote a five¬ to the age of 9, when he wrote a five¬
act tragedy. The first items to be act tragedy. The first items to be
published, however, appeared in a con¬ published, however, appeared in a con¬
servative paper in Munich, when he servative paper in Munich, when he
was 18. His studies interfered with was 18. His studies interfered with
this kind of work for six years. His this kind of work for six years. His
n#xt bow to the public was as the au¬ n#xt bow to the public was as the au¬
gor of a letter to an editor. But by gor of a letter to an editor. But by
90 he was well started. He wrote 90 he was well started. He wrote
ems, novelettes, riddles, about half ems, novelettes, riddles, about half
them being poems, mostly signed them being poems, mostly signed
Anatol." They were in general songs Anatol." They were in general songs
disillusion. disillusion.
His first book, "Anatol," was pub- His first book, "Anatol," was pub-
hed in 1893. This is a series of hed in 1893. This is a series of
Retches, seven in number, dealing Retches, seven in number, dealing
th the love affairs of a philanderer. th the love affairs of a philanderer.
was favorably received by most of was favorably received by most of
e critics, although it did not attract e critics, although it did not attract
eat attention, and its triumphs on eat attention, and its triumphs on
e stages of Europe and America had e stages of Europe and America had
wait until 1910 and 1911. Like the wait until 1910 and 1911. Like the
st, the publication of his second st, the publication of his second
ay, “The Fairy Tale," had to be paid ay, “The Fairy Tale," had to be paid
pr by himself. It was a failure. pr by himself. It was a failure.
Light-o'-Love." which was performed Light-o'-Love." which was performed
rst in 1895, firmly established his rst in 1895, firmly established his
putétion as an author. putétion as an author.
crrespondañts dans toutes les grandes villes. crrespondañts dans toutes les grandes villes.
ut du Journal: ut du Journal:
sse: sse:

1931 1931
Writes Call to Life Writes Call to Life
And Death Summons And Death Summons
End of Arthur-Sehnitzler, Viennese Author, as End of Arthur-Sehnitzler, Viennese Author, as
Dramatic as Anything He Ever Narrated Dramatic as Anything He Ever Narrated
in His Masterpieces in His Masterpieces
Called by death as he was writing his "Call to Life. Called by death as he was writing his "Call to Life.
For Arthur Schnitzler an end as dramatic as anything For Arthur Schnitzler an end as dramatic as anything
he ever penned in the literary masterpieces that won him he ever penned in the literary masterpieces that won him
recognition as Austria’s leading contemporary novelist, recognition as Austria’s leading contemporary novelist,
playwright and poet. playwright and poet.
At his desk in his Vienna songs of disillusionment and mos At his desk in his Vienna songs of disillusionment and mos
library Wednesday, rewriting were signed "Anatol. library Wednesday, rewriting were signed "Anatol.
His First Play His First Play
the last act of his play, “The the last act of his play, “The
"Anatol" also was the title of his "Anatol" also was the title of his
Call of Life," the 69-year-old Call of Life," the 69-year-old
first play published in 1893. It first play published in 1893. It
Schnitzler, whose works have been Schnitzler, whose works have been
consisted of seven sketches, dealing consisted of seven sketches, dealing
translated into many languages, with the adventures of a philan¬ translated into many languages, with the adventures of a philan¬
was stricken with a heart attack. derer. The book was received fa¬ was stricken with a heart attack. derer. The book was received fa¬
He died without regaining con- vorably by the critics but won no He died without regaining con- vorably by the critics but won no
sciousness sciousness
great acclaim until 1910 and 1911, great acclaim until 1910 and 1911,
In his passing, the film world when it triumphed on the stage in In his passing, the film world when it triumphed on the stage in
lost the possible addition of a Europe and America. lost the possible addition of a Europe and America.
master craftsman. Schnitzler was master craftsman. Schnitzler was
His second play, "The Fairy His second play, "The Fairy
considering a suggestion of Joseph Tale," a surgical probing of social considering a suggestion of Joseph Tale," a surgical probing of social
Schildkraut to write for the flicker¬ Schildkraut to write for the flicker¬
problems, was a failure. But the problems, was a failure. But the
ing, talking scroen. ing, talking scroen.
next, "Light-o' Love," performed next, "Light-o' Love," performed
Three fundamental facts must be Three fundamental facts must be
for the first time in 1895, firmly for the first time in 1895, firmly
borne in mind in any appreciation established his reputation as an borne in mind in any appreciation established his reputation as an
of Schnitzler's artistry—he was a author. Meanwhile he was turn¬ of Schnitzler's artistry—he was a author. Meanwhile he was turn¬
Jew, a Viennese and a physician. Jew, a Viennese and a physician.
out many novelettes out many novelettes
"The Road to the Open." his first "The Road to the Open." his first
Source of Pessimism Source of Pessimism
full-length novel, was published in full-length novel, was published in
To the fact that he was of Jewish To the fact that he was of Jewish
1908. Five years later he published 1908. Five years later he published
extraction and spent his long life another play, Professor Bern¬ extraction and spent his long life another play, Professor Bern¬
in an anti-Semitic city, exposed to hardt" and, in the first year of in an anti-Semitic city, exposed to hardt" and, in the first year of

ribald abuse and soul-searing criti¬ the World War, he completed a ribald abuse and soul-searing criti¬ the World War, he completed a
cism, may be traced the bitter pes¬ cycle of three one-act plays, pub¬ cism, may be traced the bitter pes¬ cycle of three one-act plays, pub¬
lished under the title, "Comedy of lished under the title, "Comedy of
simism which crops out from time simism which crops out from time
Words. Words.
to time in the midst of his urbani¬ to time in the midst of his urbani¬
After the war he wrote five more After the war he wrote five more
ties. ties.
one-act plays, which have not been one-act plays, which have not been
But as a Viennese he could not translated into English. But as a Viennese he could not translated into English.
help give expression to the bright¬ help give expression to the bright¬
His book, "None But the Brave, His book, "None But the Brave,
ness, wit, vivacity and color of that ness, wit, vivacity and color of that
AILY EAGLE, NEW Y AILY EAGLE, NEW Y
gay capital despite his undercurrent gay capital despite his undercurrent
of melencholy. His sympathy wat of melencholy. His sympathy wat
published in 1801, piqued the saber- 1925, represented his first narra published in 1801, piqued the saber- 1925, represented his first narra
warm and deep—the very heart¬ warm and deep—the very heart¬
threb of the city of Strauss and rattling military clique of the da threb of the city of Strauss and rattling military clique of the da
tive work after six years. It was tive work after six years. It was
Lehar. Lehar.
followed by "Rhapsody," "Day- followed by "Rhapsody," "Day-
and Schnitzler was summoned to breakrecently seen on Broadway and Schnitzler was summoned to breakrecently seen on Broadway
His intellectual aloofness, his appear before a "court of honor His intellectual aloofness, his appear before a "court of honor
realism and, perhaps some of his realism and, perhaps some of his
in a movie version—and “Theresa. in a movie version—and “Theresa.
sympathy, too, may be traced to He refused to go and thereby for¬ sympathy, too, may be traced to He refused to go and thereby for¬
His most recent work, "Flight His most recent work, "Flight
his carly medical training and feited his commission in the re- Into Darkness," is to be publisped his carly medical training and feited his commission in the re- Into Darkness," is to be publisped
serves. serves.
practice. practice.
in English by a New York firm/this in English by a New York firm/this
Fraulein Elsa," published in week. Fraulein Elsa," published in week.
Raised in Luxury Raised in Luxury
His father was physician, profes¬ His father was physician, profes¬
sor, editor and the recipient of sor, editor and the recipient of
many foreign decorations. The boy many foreign decorations. The boy
grew up in an atmosphere of luxury, grew up in an atmosphere of luxury,
was graduated from the Academic was graduated from the Academic
Gymnasium in 1879 and received Gymnasium in 1879 and received
his medical degree from the Uni¬ his medical degree from the Uni¬
versity of Vienna in 1885. versity of Vienna in 1885.
His leaning toward letters, how- His leaning toward letters, how-
ever, first manifested itself when as ever, first manifested itself when as
a boy of nine he wrote a five-act a boy of nine he wrote a five-act
tragedy. Resolutely, nevertheless. tragedy. Resolutely, nevertheless.
he put aside his literary aspirations he put aside his literary aspirations
to settle down to the more serious to settle down to the more serious
matter of medicine. matter of medicine.
But, after five xather dull years But, after five xather dull years
in the clinics, Schnitzler came out in the clinics, Schnitzler came out
boldly in 1890 as a writer of poems, boldly in 1890 as a writer of poems,
novelettes, and riddles. Poems novelettes, and riddles. Poems
constituted the bulk of this carly constituted the bulk of this carly
production. Most of them were production. Most of them were