World Literary Awards

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Kálmán Latabár

カールマン・ラタバー

Kalman Latabar

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1902-11-24 （Kecskemét, Austria-Hungary）
Died
1970-01-12 （Budapest, Hungarian People's Republic） age 67
Nationality
Hungarian
Languages
Hungarian
Religion
Judaism
Residence History
Kecskemét (birthplace) → Budapest (residence and stage career) → Western Europe, Israel, United States (tours)

Career

Occupations
Film actor, Comedian, Stage actor, Singer, Dancer
Active Years
1935-1968

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Sportszerelem (Sports Love)

1936 Film

A comedy film in which Latabár performs in a comic role and features elements of song and dance.

ComedyMusic

Pay Up, Madam!

1937 Film

A 1930s comedy film in which Latabár takes on a humorous supporting or secondary lead role.

ComedySocial satire

Where Do We Sleep on Sunday?

1937 Film

A film with strong comedic elements, portraying everyday events with humor.

ComedySlice of life

Money Is Coming

1939 Film

A comedy dealing with money and fortune, showcasing Latabár's witty performances.

ComedySatire

The Chequered Coat

1940 Film

A comedy film with theatrical elements in which Latabár is involved.

ComedyTheatrical

Cserebere (Swapping)

1940 Film

A comedy film themed around 'swapping'; notable for Latabár's lighthearted performance.

ComedyInterpersonal relations

Entry Forbidden

1941 Film

A film with strong comedy/variety elements featuring many showcase moments for Latabár.

ComedyVariety

The Marriage Market (1941)

1941 Film

A light comedy about marriage and matchmaking, with Latabár in a comic role.

ComedyRomance

Dream Waltz

1943 Film

A film with strong musical components featuring many song and dance numbers.

MusicDanceComedy

African Bride

1944 Film

Produced during wartime; Latabár plays an entertaining, high-spirited role.

ComedyAdventure

Muki

1944 Film

A film with short-format comedy elements showcasing Latabár's comic sensibilities.

Comedy

Without Lies

1946 Film

A post-war film with comedic elements focused on honesty and human drama.

ComedyHuman interest

Mickey Magnate

1949 Film

A satirical and humorous film with Latabár portraying a typical comic character.

ComedySatire

Zold, sárga, piros (Green, Yellow, Red)

1948 Film

A film using color and imagery motifs; Latabár provides comic flavor to the story.

ExperimentalComedy

Janika

1949 Film

One of his later representative works, notable for music and theatrical staging.

MusicTheatrical

Singing Makes Life Beautiful

1950 Film

A film centered on singing that highlights Latabár's vocal performances.

MusicCelebration of life

A Képzett beteg (The Imaginary Invalid)

1952 Film/Comedy

A film drawing on Molière's themes with comedic elements; Latabár plays a supporting comic character.

Classic comedySatire

Try and Win

1952 Film

An entertainment film about challenge and success, with Latabár adding comic color to the story.

ComedyMotivation

The State Department Store

1953 Film

A comedy set against the backdrop of state retail and economy, featuring Latabár's comic mannerisms.

ComedySocial satire

Keep Your Chin Up

1954 Film/Comedy

A film themed on optimism and humor, highlighting Latabár's upbeat comedic style.

ComedyHuman interest

What a Night! (1958)

1958 Film

An entertainment film comically portraying nocturnal incidents, featuring Latabár's strong presence.

ComedyNightlife

Irány Mexikó! (Direction Mexico)

1968 Film

One of his later works; an entertainment film about travel and overseas themes featuring Latabár's comic acting.

TravelComedy

Bibliography

  • Sportszerelem (Sports Love) (1936)
  • Pay Up, Madam! (1937)
  • Where Do We Sleep on Sunday? (1937)
  • Money Is Coming (1939)
  • The Chequered Coat (1940)
  • Cserebere (Swapping) (1940)
  • Entry Forbidden (1941)
  • The Marriage Market (1941)
  • Dream Waltz (1943)
  • African Bride (1944)
  • Muki (1944)
  • Without Lies (1946)
  • Mickey Magnate (1949)
  • Zold, sárga, piros (Green, Yellow, Red) (1948)
  • Janika (1949)
  • Singing Makes Life Beautiful (1950)
  • A Képzett beteg (The Imaginary Invalid) (1952)
  • Try and Win (1952)
  • The State Department Store (1953)
  • Keep Your Chin Up (1954)
  • What a Night! (1958)
  • Irány Mexikó! (Direction Mexico) (1968)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Light, well-timed comedic deliveryTheatrical performance with improvisational elementsEntertainment style incorporating music and dance
Recurring Motifs
Song and danceSlapstick physical comedyInteraction with the audienceWarm-hearted characters

Legacy

One of post-war Hungary's most popular comedians, active across film, stage and television. He peaked during the war years and the early days of Hungarian television; later he toured Western Europe, Israel and the United States, where he was adored by émigré Hungarian communities.

In Popular Culture

  • He had a major influence on Hungarian television and variety culture and was popularly known by the nickname 'Latyi'.
  • Enduring popularity and iconic status among Hungarian émigré communities abroad.

Quotes

  • Latyi reached his peak popularity during the war years and in the early days of Hungarian television, performing stand-up, operettas, musicals and comic routines in variety shows.
    Source: Wikipedia article 'Kálmán Latabár' (2025)

Trivia

  • Full name in native order: Latabár Kálmán.
  • Nickname: 'Latyi'.
  • Spouse: Katalin Walter.
  • Children: Kálmán Latabár Jr. and Katalin Latabár.
  • Buried at Farkasréti Cemetery (per article categories).
  • In later life he toured Western Europe, Israel and the United States and was popular with émigré Hungarian communities.