In brief
''Melchior Lengyel'' is a Hungarian playwright, journalist, and screenwriter known for his internationally successful play ''Typhoon'' and for originating the story that became the 1939 film ''Ninotchka''.
Born Menyhért Lebovics on January 12, 1880, in Balmazújváros, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary), Lengyel began his career as a correspondent for Hungarian newspapers in Switzerland before establishing himself as a prominent journalist, author, and critic in Germany and Austria. He transitioned to playwriting and achieved early success with ''Tajfun'' (''Typhoon'', 1909), which gained worldwide recognition for its commentary on Japan's rapid modernization and perceived global implications. Other notable plays include ''Próféta'' (''The Prophet'', 1911), ''A cárnö'' (''The Czarina'', 1913), ''Róza néni'' (''Aunt Rose'', 1913), ''Sancho Panza királysága'' (''The Reign of Sancho Panza'', 1919), and ''Antónia'' (1925). He also wrote the libretto for Béla Bartók's ballet ''Csodálatos mandarin'' (''The Miraculous Mandarin'').
Melchior Lengyel was born Menyhért Lebovics on January 12, 1880, in Balmazújváros, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary). He grew up in a Jewish family as the second of six children. His father supported the family by working as a farming supervisor in the countryside.
Photographs
Hero photograph: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
