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Hungarian-born Hollywood actor Béla Lugosi was remembered at the Csokonai National Theatre last week.
Béla Lugosi’s acting career also included Debrecen, where he played the leading roles in several classical plays during his two years as a company member. Later, as an American film actor, his legendary performance in Dracula (1931) brought his name to the world. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a symbolic gesture of his immortality.
The plaque’s unveiling in Debrecen was attended by Oscar—and Golden Globe-winning actor Tim Robbins, László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen, István Puskás, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen, István Molnár, member of the board of the Hungarian Hollywood Council, and Szabolcs Mátyássy, Director of the Csokonai National Theatre Debrecen.
Deputy Mayor István Puskás said two crucial episodes in Debrecen’s history will be celebrated today. One is its 130-year tradition of film culture. Generations of people have grown up with the cinema experience in the city, and for them, the world of the moving image has become a defining feature. There are still buildings in Debrecen that were built at the beginning of the 20th century for cinema. The Apollo Cinema, which is still open today, opened 112 years ago.
The deputy mayor pointed out that the first permanent cinema was in the neighbourhood of the Csokonai Theatre. Its operation coincided with a young actor signing a contract in this building. This actor was Béla Lugosi, who was unknown at the time, but it was here that he first appeared on a serious stage and matured into a serious actor. He played leading roles in plays such as William Tell, Bánk Bán and The Tragedy of Man. Thus, the theatre and cinema of Debrecen had a strong influence on Béla Lugosi’s work.
He said that the plaque was intended to commemorate this event, as it is a fitting tribute to the figures of Debrecen culture who have made their mark on the world – and are still respected in Hollywood circles today.
The deputy mayor stressed that today is also a day worthy of commemoration because it marks a historic moment in the city’s cultural life: the unveiling of the plaque in the presence of the world-famous Tim Robbins’ company, The Actor’s Gang.
István Molnár, a member of the board of the Hungarian Hollywood Council, said the organisation’s aim is to cultivate the Hungarian memory of Hollywood. After all, several film studios were founded by Hungarians. The association is involved in preserving the memory of almost 500 people of Hungarian origin.
István Molnár said that 64 Academy Awards are linked to Hungarian actors, and today, Béla Lugosi, who also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is also remembered in Debrecen.
The memorial plaque is on the side of the building at 8 Kossuth Street, facing the theatre.
Source: debrecen.hu
