Karl Hajos

Karl Hajos, born Hajós Károly on January 28, 1889, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was a Hungarian-American composer active in both Broadway and Hollywood. He emigrated to the United States in 1924 and died on February 1, 1950.

Hajos built his career primarily in film, contributing music to more than 100 productions across the late silent and sound eras. His work spanned multiple studios and directors, beginning with silent-era titles such as Loves of an Actress, The Woman from Moscow, Adoration, and Beggars of Life, all from 1928. He continued into the sound era with films including The Wolf of Wall Street in 1929 and The Sea God and The Right to Love in 1930. In 1931, he was among nine composers who contributed to the Western Fighting Caravans. His collaboration with Cecil B. DeMille on the 1934 thriller Four Frightened People marked another notable credit from that period, as did his work on Werewolf of London in 1935.

During the 1940s, Hajos received his most prominent industry recognition. His scores for Summer Storm in 1944 and The Man Who Walked Alone in 1945 each earned him an Academy Award nomination in the Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture category. He remained prolific throughout the decade, with additional credits including Dangerous Intruder, Fog Island, Secrets of Linda Hamilton, The Mask of Diijon, Wild West, Wild Country, Appointment with Murder, The Lovable Cheat, and Search for Danger. It's a Small World, released in 1950, appeared the same year as his death.

Alongside his film work, Hajos composed for Broadway, where his credits include the musicals Natja and White Lilacs.