During the 1920s, like many other Europeans, he was fascinated by American pop culture that was portrayed by the media. At that time, he was an avid reader of crime novels and in his own works of the period he included elements depicting this mythical America.
Brecht arrived at the Los Angeles harbor in San Pedro on July 21, 1941. Brecht's first year in Southern California was one of depression and dislike for America as he saw it. Some of Brecht's impressions of Los Angeles, the people he met here, and his working experiences can be read and listened to (in German) as part of this exhibit.
Brecht's lack of critical and financial success must have been an important factor in his attitudes and dislike of the United States. Even during his years of exile in Scandinavia, Brecht could afford a comfortable existance. In Southern California, the sitation worsten significantly, with Brecht living from monthly checks provided by the European Film Fund.
During his years in Southern California, Brecht wrote bitterly about the commericalism of the film industry.
The two newspaper clippings about Brecht appeared in the Los Angeles Examiner in 1947 and 1948.
This exhibit was created by Marje Schuetze-Coburn, Feuchtwanger Librarian, at the University of Southern California.
Updated 2001.