Theodor Pištěk (13 June 1895 – 5 August 1960) came from a family of theatrical actors, but he decided to study medicine after finishing his studies at Vinohrady gymnasium. After the death of his father, he returned to the theatre and silent and talking movies became his destiny. His most famous movie partner was Antonia Nedošínská.

Can anyone imagine the first republic black and white movie, or a comedy, without this great Czech actor? Neither can I. There were a great many movies, such as C. a k. polní maršálek (Imperial and Royal Field Marshal), Muži v off sidu (Men who are Off - side), Hrdinný kapitán Korkorán (The Heroic Captain Korkorán), Škola, základ života (School, the Foundation of Life), Klabzubova jedenáctka (Klabzuba’s XI) and Hotel Modrá hvězda (Hotel Blue Star). He made over ten movies a year in the 1930s. This was purely for financial reasons, as in the 1920s, he financed the movie Takový je život (Such is Life), so he could act alongside Russian actress Věra Baranovská. He had to repay his debts for the next 14 years. The early days of his movie career did not involve just acting – he was also a scrip writer and director. He married the actress Máňa Ženíšková, a daughter of Julius Ženíšek, the founder and director of the Ford Motor Company and a granddaughter of the painter František Ženíšek. They had two children, a daughter and a son, who is the well known film artist Theodor Pištěk. (*1932). He acted with his wife in several films, usually as her father, such as in the above mentioned Takový je život (Such is Life). From the post-war films, we can recall Císařův pekař a pekařův císař (The Emperor’s Baker and the Baker’s Emperor) and Anděl na horách (Angel in the Mountains) or Florenc 13.30.

Pavel Vančura