While Ferenc Molnar was living in a Viennese hotel in the 1920s, a large group of his relatives came to 'visit' him with an eye on sharing in the bounteous fruits of his enormous success.

Although an awareness of Molnar's notorious irascibilty had prepared them for a hostile reception, they were welcomed with surprising kindness by the writer, who insisted that they sit for a group portrait to mark the occasion.

When the picture was developed, Molnar presented it to the hotel doorman with this instruction: "Whenever you see any of the people in this picture trying to get into the hotel, don't let them in!"