Hollywood On Austria

Some showbiz reaction to the success of Joerg Haider's right-wing Freedom Party in Austria is being reported by Daily Variety senior columnist Army Archerd.

"Austrians in Hollywood" is the theme of a dinner party to be given by the consul general of Austria and Mrs. Werner Brandstetter on Feb. 25.

At least one of the invitees, Vienna-born Theodore Bikel, has declined.

"Even had I been free on that day, I would still have had to refuse to attend any official Austrian function, however well-meaning and cordial the invitation," says Bikel. "The obscene calls of 'sieg heil' uttered by the welcoming Austrian throngs outside Bikel's window as Hitler and Goering drove by still echo in his ears.

"The same 'loyal' Austrians in short order donned Nazi uniforms of the same kind Joerg Haider's father (and mother) wore," Bikel says. "Of course, sons should not be saddled with the sins of fathers. There are sons of Nazis who express shame and revulsion at what their fathers had done -- far more often in Germany than in Austria -- but Joerg Haider is not one of them. He had public words of praise and approbation for the Waffen SS. Many of us feel that Austria is in danger of sinking back into the slime of neo-fascism."

As for claims that the Austrian government was democratically elected by the people, Bikel wrote to the consul general: "After all, Hitler was also elected by 'the people'; no one 'meddled' then either, and it took a world war and a Holocaust to end the madness once and for all. Or so we thought."

Bikel added, "I shall withdraw the funds I still have in Vienna and shall see to it that a good portion is contributed to Jewish causes, specifically to those organizations that are devoted to the fight against racism, anti-Semitism and the violation of human rights."

Haider, reports Archer, is also owner of a large estate formerly owned by a Jewish family that had to flee Austria.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, another "Austrian in Hollywood" who was invited to the Austrian consul general's evening, also declined. On that date, he is heading his Arnold's Classic (bodybuilding championship event) in Columbus, Ohio.

Another famous "Austrian in Hollywood," Wolfgang Puck, commenting about the Freedom Party's Haider: "They should throw him out. If I were there, I'd expel him from the party."

When Archer called Brandstetter for his opinion of Haider and his Freedom Party, the consul general was cordial and expressed distinct disdain for Haider. But he insisted, "He is not a fascist." Further, "He does not represent what the majority of Austrians stand for. Concern is understandable, but the anxiety is overdrawn. I have a lot of confidence in my country."

In addition to the famous Austrians who have been a part of Hollywood history, Brandstetter notes that the new list of "Austrians in Hollywood" includes many who now work in computer animation.

(Click here to see an interview with Haider conducted by Early Show Anchor Bryant Gumbel.)