Vlasta Burian Fails Gestapo Exam
- Vlasta Burian, a celebrated Czech comedian, experienced a dramatic shift in fortune during and after World War II.
- Following the forced closure of his theater in 1944, Burian was arrested after the war and faced trial.
- Burian further defended himself by saying, "During the occupation, I resisted pressure to appear in German films, and I intentionally sabotaged my film rehearsal in German, even though...
Vlasta Burian: From King of Comedy to Prisoner of War
Table of Contents
Vlasta Burian, a celebrated Czech comedian, experienced a dramatic shift in fortune during and after World War II. While a novel about his life has garnered notable attention, a particularly dark chapter frequently enough goes unexamined: his imprisonment and the humiliation he endured.
Arrest and Trial
Following the forced closure of his theater in 1944, Burian was arrested after the war and faced trial. Pavel taussig’s book, Vlasta Burian, Life for Laughter, sheds light on Burian’s defense. He stated,”I onyl performed plays by Czech authors in my theater.If translations were used, the original author was always of Jewish origin. These plays were forbidden, so I consciously promoted the authors’ names.”
Burian further defended himself by saying, “During the occupation, I resisted pressure to appear in German films, and I intentionally sabotaged my film rehearsal in German, even though I was proficient in the language and had made several films in German before the war.”
Despite these arguments, Burian was sentenced to a few months in prison and had nearly all his property confiscated. yet, compared to what could have been, his survival and eventual release were a victory.
Imprisonment in Pankrác
This account focuses on Burian’s time in Pankrác prison.Writer Arnošt Lustig once described the perverse entertainment of SS members in Auschwitz, highlighting the extreme deprivation and cruelty inflicted upon prisoners. A similar form of torment is depicted in the novel “Vlasta,” were Burian is subjected to a degrading ordeal.
The Paper Test
The novel describes Burian being forced to stand against a wall,holding a sheet of paper to his nose,hands behind his back. when the paper fell, he was brutally beaten. The passage illustrates the physical and psychological abuse Burian suffered.
“Burian crashed along the door to the floor. He was fully empty in his head. There was no fear or despair, he felt nothing at all… he had to stand by the wall and nose to hold a sheet of paper. Hands behind his back, he wasn’t allowed to help… Then the paper slipped and rocked down to the floor… When it stopped entertaining them… they pulled the king of comedians behind their feet.”
The author of the source material suggests readers try this “test” themselves, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining the position even for a short time, especially when combined with the conditions of imprisonment: poor health, malnutrition, and constant threat.
Legacy of Torture
The author further notes that similar entertainment was reportedly practiced during the war,with these methods later adopted by the StB (State Security). The prison on Charles Square was handed over to the State Security governance in the early 1950s.
Beyond the physical abuse, Burian also endured verbal attacks, both publicly and in court, adding to the humiliation he faced.
# Vlasta Burian: From King of Comedy to Prisoner of war
This article explores the life of Vlasta Burian, a celebrated Czech comedian, focusing on the lesser-known chapter of his imprisonment during and after World War II. Drawing from the provided source,we delve into the circumstances surrounding his arrest,the details of his incarceration,and the lasting impact of his experiences.
## Arrest and Trial: What Were the Charges Against Vlasta Burian?
Following the closure of his theater in 1944, Vlasta Burian was arrested and put on trial after the war. The source does not specify official charges.
### What Was Vlasta Burian’s Defense?
Burian’s defense included the following points:
* He performed plays by Czech authors in his theater.
* If translations were used, the original authors were always of Jewish origin.
* He resisted pressure to appear in German films during the occupation.
* He intentionally sabotaged his film rehearsals in German, despite knowing the language well.
### What Was the Outcome of burian’s Trial?
Despite his arguments, Burian was sentenced to a few months in prison, and almost all his property was confiscated. However, his survival and eventual release were considered a victory compared to other possible outcomes.
## Imprisonment in Pankrác: What was the nature of Burian’s Imprisonment?
This article focuses on Burian’s time in Pankrác prison. The source material references the extreme cruelty and psychological abuse inflicted upon prisoners.
### What Was the “Paper Test”?
The “paper test” was a form of punishment where Burian was forced to stand against a wall, holding a sheet of paper against his nose with his hands behind his back.If the paper fell, he was brutally beaten. The source emphasizes the difficulty of this position, especially under the conditions of imprisonment (poor health, malnutrition, and constant threat).
## Legacy of torture: What was the long-term impact of Burian’s imprisonment?
Beyond the physical abuse, Burian also endured verbal attacks, adding to the humiliation he faced. The author notes that similar methods of torment were later adopted by the StB (State Security).
### Summary of Key Points
Here’s a summary of the key events and their impact:
| Event | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Trial and Sentencing | Sentenced to a few months in prison, property confiscated. | Humiliation, loss, but survival and release. |
| “Paper Test” | Forced to hold a paper to the nose with hands behind the back; beaten if the paper fell. | Physical and psychological abuse. |
| Verbal Attacks | Public and court verbal attacks | Humiliation |