Anton Karas (July 7, 1906 – January 10, 1985) was a Viennese zither player, best known for his soundtrack to Carol Reed's 1949 adaptation of The Third Man. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 445 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 445 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... “Wien” redirects here. ... Concert zither The zither is a musical string instrument, mainly used in folk music, most commonly in German-speaking Alpine Europe. ... In film formats, the soundtrack is the physical area of the film which records the synchronized sound. ... Sir Carol Reed (30 December 1906 – 25 April 1976) was an English film director, winner of an Academy Award for his film version of the musical, Oliver! (1968). ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... The Third Man (1949) is a British film noir directed by Carol Reed. ...

The son of a car worker, Anton Karas began playing the Zither at the age of 12. He subsequently earned his living as an entertainer in a Heurige (Viennese Wine Bar). In 1949 director Carol Reed was shooting The Third Man in Vienna when he heard Karas playing the zither. Immediately taken by the sound of the instrument Reed asked him to supply the background music to the film. He was invited to London and lived with Reed while composing the score. Heuriger (pronunciation: ) is the name given to many Austrian wine-drinking locales where patrons can experience Gemütlichkeit. ... Sir Carol Reed (30 December 1906 – 25 April 1976) was an English film director, winner of an Academy Award for his film version of the musical, Oliver! (1968). ...

The success of "The Third Man" changed Karas' life. He played all over the world, and performed for the British Royal family and the Pope. As a result of the change of fortune, Karas earned the nickname of "Mr. Cinderella". By the end of 1949, a half million copies of "The Harry Lime Theme" had been sold, an unprecedented amount for the time. The success of the score also caused a surge in zither sales. Members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the Trooping the Colour ceremony The British Royal Family is shared between the Commonwealth Realms; this article focuses on the perspective of United Kingdom. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Pope (from Latin... Gustave Dorés illustration for Cendrillon Cinderella (French: Cendrillon) is a popular fairy tale embodying a classic folk tale myth-element of unjust oppression/triumphant reward. ...

Despite his success, Vienna remained close to his heart. On returning to the city he tried to run his own Heurige, but it was not commercially viable. Karas was not highly regarded in his home city, as "The Third Man" was not a film about the glory of the Habsburg monarchy, but about the disgrace of the defeated Austria. Zither music was not popular. Karas found himself and the business subject to numerous lawsuits. Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy; also used as the flag of the Austrian Empire until the Ausgleich of 1867. ...

Anton Karas - Third Man Theme excerpt
An excerpt from Anton Karas' The Third Man Theme
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External links

• Biography at All Music Guide
• In Search of the Third Man at Amazon.com