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1-50 of 62
- Actress
- Soundtrack
In a world weary of war and dispirited by the ravages of the Great Depression, Hollywood at the turn of the 1940s concocted a wildly popular, effective lot of escapist fare (though often cheaply made) to regale the sick at heart worldwide. Universal Pictures, more often than not, led in producing such films. We know about the monster movies: wolf men, invisible men -- and invisible women too, for that matter. We know about Sherlock Holmes chasing not killer hounds in 1890 but chasing killer Nazis a half- century later. Such were among typical Universal "B" productions. Enter Maria de Santo Silas -- Maria Montez. This daughter of a Spanish diplomat traveled extensively after being educated in the Canary Islands and attempted, albeit unsuccessfully, to establish herself as a stage actress in Europe. In 1940 she found herself in New York City, a model. Her screen career began in 1941, with Universal casting her in bit parts. On account of her strikingly exotic looks and her exotic accent, the studio soon paired her with other "exotics" (Sabu and Turhan Bey), and usually with a more "home-style" hero (Jon Hall), in a series of low-budget adventures, filmed in Technicolor and situated in fantasy lands, with Montez herself often situated in revealing dress. With Montez threatened by all manner of nastiness -- from evil caliphs to man-eating sharks to her own cobra-worshipping twin sister (!) -- her pictures soon became immensely popular, even though she could not really act, could not dance and could not sing. Audiences flocked to see her films, just to witness the trials and endurance of an alluring beauty in distress (as well, perhaps, as to glimpse some scantily clad, beauteous flesh). The Depression having long since passed, the end of World War II meant also the end of flying carpets and sand dunes and deadly reptiles as potential subjects for attracting moviegoers. That bit of history, plus a bit of girth added to Montez's frame, led her and her husband, the actor Jean-Pierre Aumont, to abandon Hollywood for Europe, where she would appear in a handful of French and Italian adventure films. On 7 September 1951 Maria Montez was discovered drowned in her bath, possibly having first suffered a heart attack.- Actress
- Additional Crew
Claude Gensac was born on 1 March 1927 in Acy-en-Multien, Oise, France. She was an actress, known for 22 Bullets (2010), Hibernatus (1969) and The Wing or The Thigh? (1976). She was married to Henri Chemin and Pierre Mondy. She died on 27 December 2016 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Jean Poiret was born on 17 August 1926 in Paris, France. He was an actor and writer, known for The Birdcage (1996), Cop Au Vin (1985) and Le zèbre (1992). He was married to Caroline Cellier and Françoise Dorin. He died on 14 March 1992 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.- Prince Aly Khan was born on 13 June 1911 in Turin, Italy. He was married to Rita Hayworth and Joan Yarde-Buller. He died on 12 May 1960 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.
- Simon de La Brosse was born on 9 October 1965 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He was an actor, known for Les arcandiers (1991), Pauline at the Beach (1983) and Betty Blue (1986). He died on 17 April 1998 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.
- Cinematographer
- Director
- Camera and Electrical Department
Although Henri Decaë gained fame as a cinematographer, he actually entered the film industry as an editor and soundman. Serving as a cameraman in the French army during WW II, upon his release he began making documentaries and directing and photographing industrial and commercial films, then in 1947 made his first feature. His documentary background showed in the look of the films he photographed, and he worked often with directors Louis Malle and Claude Chabrol. From those early, gritty films, Decae evolved into one of the premier cinematographers of plush, big-budget extravaganzas.- Jacques Rispal was born on 1 August 1923 in Belvès, Dordogne, France. He was an actor and writer, known for The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972), Stolen Kisses (1968) and Lacombe, Lucien (1974). He died on 9 February 1986 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.
- Director
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gilles Grangier was born on 5 May 1911 in Paris, France. He was a director and writer, known for Archimède, le clochard (1959), Train d'enfer (1965) and The Night Affair (1958). He was married to Lucie Bourdillon. He died on 27 April 1996 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.- Actor
- Director
Pierre Blanchar was born on 30 June 1892 in Philippeville, Constantine, France [now Skikda, Algeria]. He was an actor and director, known for Crime and Punishment (1935), The Man from Nowhere (1937) and Un carnet de bal (1937). He was married to Marthe Vinot. He died on 21 November 1963 in Suresnes, France.- Lise Delamare was born on 9 April 1913 in Colombes, Seine [now Seine-Saint-Denis, Île-de-France], France. She was an actress, known for Captain Blood (1960), Lola Montès (1955) and Mlle. Desiree (1942). She was married to Tony Taffin. She died on 25 July 2006 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Betty Mars was born on 30 July 1944 in Paris, France. She was an actress, known for Emilienne & Nicole (1975), Bons baisers... à lundi (1974) and Second Chance (1976). She died on 20 February 1989 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Antonio Passalia was born on 13 June 1926 in Messina, Sicily, Italy. He was an actor and producer, known for Caligula et Messaline (1981), The Cry of the Owl (1987) and The Bridesmaid (2004). He died on 6 July 2016 in Suresnes, Hauts-De-Seine, France.- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Maurice Yvain was born on 12 February 1891 in Paris, France. He was a composer, known for Chocolat (2000), A Good Year (2006) and The Quiet American (2002). He was married to Hélène Achour, Marina Hotine, Gabrielle Ristori, Ana Ruiz y Miyares and Jeanne Colombéron. He died on 28 July 1965 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.- Actor
- Additional Crew
Philippe Mareuil was born on 19 October 1927 in Dreux, France. He was an actor, known for Le chevalier d'Harmental (1966), Aux frontières du possible (1971) and La caméra explore le temps (1957). He died on 8 January 2016 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.- Marcel Gassouk was born on 2 May 1921 in Paris, France. He was an actor, known for Aux frontières du possible (1971). He died on 4 February 2003 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.
- Grégory Lemarchal was born in Chambéry, Savoie, France on May 13, 1983. At 20 months old, his parents learned that he had a disease called mucovisidosis, a respiratory disease.
On December 22, 2004 he was the big winner of "Star Academy" (4th edition), sort of "American Idol" TV show in France on TF1, with 80% of the votes against Lucie Bernardoni.
His first single "Ecris l'Histoire" was a huge success and his first recorded album "Je Deviens Moi" became a platinum disc.
On January 21, 2006 Grégory won the Award "French revelation of the year" at the NRJ Music Awards. - Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Pierre Bellemare was born on 21 October 1929 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He was an actor and writer, known for La caméra invisible (1964), Cent francs par seconde (1952) and Match contre la mort (1959). He was married to Roselyne Bacchi and Micheline Grillon. He died on 26 May 2018 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.- Charles Blavette was born on 24 June 1902 in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. He was an actor, known for Toni (1935), Cecile Is Dead (1944) and Manon des sources (1952). He died on 21 November 1967 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Jean Lenoir was born on 26 February 1891 in Paris, France. He was a composer, known for Midnight in Paris (2011), Suite Française (2014) and Sweet and Lowdown (1999). He was married to Alice Papazian and Octavie Richau. He died on 19 January 1976 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.- Jacques Préboist was born on 21 May 1923 in Marseille, France. He was an actor. He died on 5 February 1999 in Suresnes, France.
- Composer
- Music Department
- Sound Department
Pierre Bachelet, a popular singer (his song "Les Corons" became a tremendous hit in France), always had a special connection with the world of cinema. Wasn't he a graduate of the Rue de Vaugirard Film School? His becoming a film music composer soon appeared as the ideal link between his two passions. That is how Pierre Bachelet lent his talent to successful (either commercial or artistic) films such as Emmanuelle (1974), Jean-Jacques Annaud's Black and White in Color (1976) and Hothead (1979), Patrice Leconte's French Fried Vacation 2 (1979) or Jean Becker's The Children of the Marshland (1999). He also wrote the score of a few commercials and TV Films. Pierre Bachelet died prematurely at the age of 60.- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Raymond Bernard (not to be confused with the famous director of the same name) was a conductor, arranger and composer. After debuting in Ray Ventura's band, he became a member of the orchestra accompanying the circus shows in the early days of French television ("La piste aux étoiles" (1945)_). He also accompanied Gilbert Bécaud and Serge Reggiani during their song recitals. In parallel Raymond Bernard wrote a few scores for the cinema (A Bullet in the Gun Barrel (1958), Le Sicilien (1958), L'ennemi dans l'ombre (1960)) and or for television (Les enquêtes du commissaire Maigret (1967)).- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Charles Brabant was born on 6 July 1920 in Paris, France. He was a director and writer, known for The Respectful Whore (1952), Zoé (1954) and Les naufrageurs (1959). He died on 30 November 2006 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.- Adèle Hugo was born on 24 August 1830 in Paris, France. She was a writer, known for The Story of Adele H (1975). She died on 21 April 1915 in Suresnes, Hauts-de-Seine, France.
- Writer
- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Today, Albert Valentin (1908-1968) is remembered as a screenwriter. However, three of his movies are on a par with the best of the French cinema of the era. "L'Entraineuse" (1938) compared favorably with "Waterloo bridge" as a model of melodrama.During the occupation days,he outdid himself and his two towering achievements should be considered classics today, in a league with these of Clouzot. "Marie-Martine " (1942) was constructed "in reverse", predating such works as "memento" by more than half a century. "La Vie De Plaisir'(1943) told a story from two points of view, seven years before "Rashomon" and this Bunuelian scene of a bishop blessing a pack of dogs remained memorable. Sadly, like Clouzot's "Le Corbeau", 'la vie De Plaisir", "deemed infamous, was banned at the liberation. His career as a director was virtually over after WW2, although his "Le Secret De Monte Cristo" (1948) was another unsung excellent effort he told the true story on which Alexandre Dumas based his famous novel. Valentin was the lost great director of the French forties indeed. As a screenwriter his work includes such classics as "Boudu Sauvé Des Eaux"(1932), "L'Etrange Monsieur Victor " (1941) and "Le Ciel Est A Vous" (1943).