Harry Horner was born in Bohemia (now Czech Republic), but spent most of his early life in Austria. In 1934, he graduated from the University of Vienna with a degree in architecture. Along the way, he also managed to study dramatic arts, directing and costume design, making his stage debut as an actor with the Max Reinhardt Theatre Company. He ...
Holitz, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary (now Holice v Chechách, Czech Republic)
Profession
Director, Production Designer, Producer
Star Sign
Leo
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Fact
1
In New York, Harry Horner assisted Max Reinhardt in his staging of the biblical musical spectacle "The Eternal Road" (Der Wegder Verheissing), 1/7/1937-5/15/1937, total performances 153. Music composed by Kurt Weill, conducted by Harry Horner, with a cast of 136. The production's scenic design, costume design and lighting design was by Norman Bel Geddes. Max Reinhardt became disgusted with Bel Geddes lack of interest and not attending rehearsal schedules. Reinhardt made Harry Horner his art director pressing him into supervising the production's scenic, costume and lighting department's responsibilities. Reinhardt placed Harry in charge of many areas of theatrical staging recognizing his faceted managerial talents. Consequently, Harry Horner was drafted into a scenic design career on subsequent Broadway theatricals.
2
Max Reinhardt's Berlin centered theatrical life came to an abrupt sudden halt in 1933, following the rise to power of the neo-anti-Semitic Nazi party. As a Jew, he was ordered to relinquish control of the Deutches Theater, and believing his life was in danger, he fled the country. After a brief stay in Italy, Reinhardt traveled to the United States in early 1934, locating in Los Angeles, where he staged a production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Hollywood Bowl. This production was performed for several weeks with thousands of patrons attending the theatrical event. Harry Horner had followed Max Reinhardt, acting as his stage manager, and alas an actor in the production. Warner Brothers produced the production as a film in 1935. Afterwards, Max Reinhardt relocated to New York directing and producing several plays. Harry Horner followed, continuing as a stage manager, as well as designing scenery. In 1940, Harry Horner designed the scenery on the Moss Hart (book), Ira Gershwin (lyrics), Kurt Well (music) dramatic musical play "Lady In The Dark", at the New York Alvin Theatre, opening January 23, 1941. The introduction of the use of donut turntables in the set's floor plan design established a Broadway first. Turntable floor units had been used in European theatrical productions, but never had been incorporated in the American theater scenic design evolution prior to this production.
$19 Million
