Maurice Chevalier
Dubbed "the French Al Jolson," Maurice Chevalier was among the most beloved song-and-dance men of the pre-war era. Born September 12, 1888 in Paris, he was the youngest of nine children, quitting school at the age of 11 to work as an apprentice engraver and factory worker. Chevalier also later performed as a circus acrobat, but after suffering serious injuries he instead turned to singing in Parisian cafes and music halls; although his voice lacked power, he compensated with his fine comedic skills, and before long was among the most popular performers in France, often partnering with the infamous Minstinguett in the Folies-Bergere. Upon making his film debut in the 1908 silent comedy Trop Crédule, a series of other film roles followed before Chevalier joined the French forces fighting in World War I; from 1914 to 1916, he was held as a POW by the Germans, learning English from his fellow prisoners. He was later awarded a Croix de Guerre for his wartime service.
After his release, Chevalier returned to the cinema, as well as the cabaret circuit; clad in his trademark straw boater and bow tie, in 1925 he introduced "Valentine," one of the songs with which he remained identified for the duration of his career. Upon learning of the advent of motion picture sound, Chevalier relocated to Hollywood in 1928; a year later he made his American debut in Innocents of Paris, which popularized his song "Louise." He then traveled to New York, where he performed backed by Duke Ellington; returning to Hollywood, he next appeared opposite Jeanette MacDonald in Ernst Lubitsch's hit The Love Parade, a role which earned him an Academy Award nomination in the Best Actor category. Chevalier and MacDonald made a total of four films together, the most successful of them Rouben Mamoulian's 1932 effort Love Me Tonight, which included several original compositions by Rodgers & Hart, among them "Mimi" and "Isn't It Romantic."
With his happy-go-lucky charm and suave sophistication, Chevalier became a romantic superstar, but he abruptly left Hollywood in 1935, reportedly incensed over receiving second billing in a film; he returned to Europe a triumphant global success, quickly reclaiming his cabaret throne and continuing to appear in a variety of motion pictures. However, with the outbreak of World War II, Chevalier was reluctant to perform live in Nazi-occupied areas; he finally agreed to perform in Germany in 1941 on the condition that a group of French POWs be released. (Such dealings ultimately led to charges of Nazi collaboration, although he was later vindicated.) In the late 1940s, Chevalier developed a one-man stage show which he took to London and later the U.S.; after appearing in the 1950 feature Le Roi, he again attempted to return to America, but was denied re-entry after signing the anti-nuclear document known as the Stockholm Appeal.
In 1957, after several years away from the spotlight, Chevalier made a surprise return to Hollywood, appearing in Billy Wilder's Love in the Afternoon; a year later he starred in Gigi, the film's Lerner & Loewe score providing him with two of his signature songs, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" and "I Remember It Well," the latter performed with Hermione Gingold. In 1959, Chevalier was awarded an honorary Oscar for "contributions to the world of entertainment for more than half a century." In 1960, he co-starred with Frank Sinatra and Louis Jourdan in Can-Can, but after 1961's Fanny he began appearing in smaller roles, typically cast as a patriarchal figure. After 1967's family comedy Monkeys, Go Home!, Chevalier retired from the screen, and his vocal rendition of the title song to the 1970 animated Disney feature The Aristocats was his last work in Hollywood; he died at home in Paris on January 1, 1972.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
Artisti simili
-
Golden Star Collection
Pop - Pubblicato da Mauchche Musik Records il 24 lug 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Love Parade / The Merry Widow Original Soundtrack Recording
Colonne sonore - Pubblicato da Foyer il 1 gen 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Valentine, Paris Je T'Aime D'Amour, Ma Pomme…
Pop - Pubblicato da Saar srl il 17 lug 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The 20 Best Collection: Maurice Chevalier
World music - Pubblicato da Best Record il 1 gen 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
French Legend
Musica vocale (sacra e profana) - Pubblicato da Music Manager il 15 lug 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Greatest Hits Collection
Colonne sonore - Pubblicato da Music Manager il 26 apr 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fleur de Paris, Vol. 2
Jazz - Pubblicato da Diamond Days il 5 mag 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Definitive Collection of Maurice Chevalier
Jazz - Pubblicato da Bofm Ltd il 1 gen 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Maurice Chevalier Chante 32 Chansons Superbes
Pop - Pubblicato da Mach60 Music il 1 apr 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Paris Sera Toujours Paris
Pop - Pubblicato da Vantage Music il 30 set 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jessica (Original Film Soundtrack)
Colonne sonore - Pubblicato da Stage Door il 1 gen 1962
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Fleur De Paris
Maurice Chevalier and Chansons Françaises
World music - Pubblicato da Goldstar Records il 9 gen 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Songs from France: A French Monument (International French Stars)
Musica francese - Pubblicato da EPM il 1 set 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Maurice Chevalier (Best Of)
Pop - Pubblicato da Astorg Records il 1 gen 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Les génies de la chanson : Maurice Chevalier
Musica francese - Pubblicato da Balandras éditions il 1 gen 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Valentine, Vol. 2
Jazz - Pubblicato da Supreme Media il 2 gen 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Valentine, Vol. 2
Jazz - Pubblicato da Firefly Entertainment il 2 gen 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Maurice Chevalier's Valentine
Pop - Pubblicato da Charly Records il 25 giu 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
CHEVALIER, Maurice: Ma Pomme (1935-1946)
Classica - Pubblicato da Naxos il 22 set 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Give My Regards to Broadway
Musica francese - Pubblicato da ISIS il 15 gen 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best French Chansons: Maurice Chevalier 3
Lounge - Pubblicato da J.d.L. RECORDS il 2 nov 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo