History of Sorts

I have to start with an apology because after reading this blog, next time you watch the Disney classic Bambi, you will see that young little deer in a different light.

Felix Salten was a Hungarian-born, Austrian Jewish author. When he was four weeks old, he moved from Pest in Hungary to Vienna in Austria. I will not focus too much on his life but will pick out just a few elements that will be interesting enough.

In 1923, he wrote his most famous story, “Bambi: Eine Lebensgeschichte aus dem Walde” or in English “Bambi: A Life in the Woods.” In 1928, it was translated into English.  In 1933, he sold the film rights to the American director Sidney Franklin for the sum of $1,000; Franklin, in return, transferred the rights to the Disney company.

Hitler was a great fan of Disney movies. His favourite movie, it is said, was Snow White.

The Walt Disney Studio made the book into a movie, “Bambi,” in 1942.

Prior to that in 1936, the Nazis had banned the book and when after the annexation of Austria, Felix Salten moved with his wife to Zürich in Switzerland, where he remained until he died on 8 October 1945, aged 76.

By now, I can hear you think,” Didn’t he mention an erotic novel in the title?” You would be right; I did mention that. However, there is a caveat. The novel I am referring to is “Josephine Mutzenbacher—The Life Story of a Viennese Whore, as Told by Herself.” The caveat is that the book was written anonymously, but it is widely believed it was, in fact, written by Felix Salten. Today, the Austrian Government designated Salten as the sole author.

The plot in Josephine Mutzenbacher is that of a first-person narrative, structured in the format of a memoir. The story is told from the point of view of an accomplished, aging 50-year-old Viennese courtesan who is looking back upon the sexual escapades she enjoyed during her unbridled youth in Vienna

The book has been turned into a series of pornographic movies. Out of curiosity, when I was a youngster, many moons ago, I attempted to watch one of them, but after a few minutes, I turned it off, not because I am prudish but because it was so boring.

This does mean however that Felix Salten’s books have become films from one extreme to the other extreme, totally child friendly to xxx rated. I don’t know how many authors can claim that.

Leaving you with an innocent image.

 

 

Sources

https://www.europeana.eu/en/stories/felix-salten-the-jewish-author-and-hunter-who-created-bambi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Mutzenbacher

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bambi,_a_Life_in_the_Woods

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/31284

https://archive.org/details/bambibyfelixsalt0000unse_e0j5