as late as 1940, he was still a respected name among american critics in new york city, with his drama "a mother's love" receiving high praise for his direction. like most of his colleagues, his career came to a standstill in the years immediately after the war, as economic conditions and the four-power occupation of vienna made production extremely difficult. it was not until 1948 that ucicky re-emerged with a film entitled "after the storm". he continued making successful films, including many that were released internationally, such as "the witch" (1954), up until his death from a heart attack in 1961.