Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin, better known as Fernandel, was a French comic actor. Born near Marseille, France, to Désirée Bedouin and Denis Contandin, originating in Perosa Argentina, an Occitan town located in the province of Turin, Italy, he became a comedy star, first gaining popularity in French vaudeville, operettas, and music-hall revues. His stage name originated from his marriage to Henriette Manse, the sister of his best friend and frequent cinematic collaborator Jean Manse. So attentive was he to his wife that his mother-in-law amusingly referred to him as Fernand d'elle.
Gold in the Street is a 1934 French comedy film directed by Curtis Bernhardt, written by Henry Koster and Henri Decoin, and starring Danielle Darrieux. The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert Gys.
Ernest the Rebel is a 1938 French comedy film directed by Christian-Jaque and starring Pierre Alcover, Mona Goya and Arthur Devère. It is based on the 1937 novel of the same title by Jacques Perret. Location shooting took place on the Côte d'Azur around Nice, while interiors were filmed at the city's Victorine Studios. The film's sets were designed by the art director Pierre Schild.
Charlemagne is a 1933 French comedy drama film directed by Pierre Colombier and starring Raimu, Léon Belières and Marie Glory. A group of upper-class passengers on a ship are saved by a stoker who takes them to an island, where he soon rises to be their monarch. The film is based on the 1902 play The Admirable Crichton by J. M. Barrie.
Lucrezia Borgia is a 1935 French historical film directed by Abel Gance and starring Edwige Feuillère, Gabriel Gabrio and Maurice Escande. It was shot at the Saint-Maurice Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Henri Ménessier and René Renoux. Feuillère's performance was widely acclaimed by critics, and significantly boosted her career.
Captain Fracasse is a 1943 French-Italian historical adventure film directed by Abel Gance and starring Fernand Gravey, Assia Noris and Alice Tissot. It is an adaptation of the novel Captain Fracasse by Théophile Gautier. The scenario and dialogue is by Abel Gance and Claude Vermorel and the music composed by Arthur Honegger. Honegger's score for the film consists of around 50 minutes of music for chorus and large orchestra.
Hercule is a 1938 French comedy film directed by Alexander Esway and starring Fernandel, Gaby Morlay and Pierre Brasseur. The film's sets were designed by Pierre Schild. Jean Grémillon was the film's original director, but he left shortly after production had begun. A simple fisherman from Provence inherits a Parisian newspaper, but finds some of his new staff are dishonest.
The Fatted Calf is a 1939 French comedy film directed by Serge de Poligny and starring Elvire Popesco, André Lefaur and Armand Bernard. It is based on a play by Bernard Zimmer. The film's sets were designed by Jacques Colombier and Robert Gys.
The Bureaucrats is a 1959 French comedy film directed by Henri Diamant-Berger and starring Noël-Noël, Philippe Clay and Jean Richard. It was shot at the Billancourt Studios in Paris. The film's art direction was by Roger Briaucourt. It is a remake of the 1936 film of the same title, with both based on a novel by Georges Courteline.
Barnabé is a 1938 French comedy film directed by Alexander Esway and starring Fernandel, Marguerite Moreno and Andrex. It was shot at the Billancourt Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art directors André Barsacq and Pierre Schild. It was based on an operetta by Jean Bastia.
The Promised Land is a 1925 French silent film directed by Henry Roussel and starring Pierre Blanchar, Raquel Meller and André Roanne.
Bach the Detective is a 1936 French comedy film directed by René Pujol and starring Bach, Ginette Leclerc and Paul Bernard. The film's sets were designed by the art director Emile Duquesne.
The Trip to Biarritz is a 1963 French-Italian comedy film directed by Gilles Grangier and starring Fernandel, Michel Galabru and Rellys. It is based on the play of the same title by Jean Sarment which was staged at the Comédie-Française in 1936.
The Beautiful Trip is a 1947 French drama film directed by Louis Cuny and starring Renée Saint-Cyr, Pierre Richard-Willm and André Valmy.
Ménilmontant is a 1936 French comedy drama film directed by René Guissart and starring Gabriel Signoret, Pierre Larquey and Josette Day. It takes its name from the Ménilmontant area of Paris.
I Am with You is a 1943 French musical comedy film directed by Henri Decoin and starring Yvonne Printemps, Pierre Fresnay and Jacques Louvigny. It was shot at the Joinville Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art director Lucien Aguettand.
Arlette and Love is a 1943 French romantic comedy film directed by Robert Vernay and starring André Luguet, Josette Day and André Alerme.
Francis the First is a 1937 French historical comedy film directed by Christian-Jaque and starring Fernandel, Mona Goya and Alexandre Rignault. It was shot at the Cité Elgé studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art director Pierre Schild.
Murders is a 1950 French drama film directed by Richard Pottier and starring Fernandel, Mireille Perrey and Jacques Varennes. The film is adapted from a series of five novels by Belgian writer Charles Plisnier, published between 1939 and 1941. It marked a rare dramatic role for the comedian Fernandel. It was shot at the Neuilly Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art director Paul-Louis Boutié. The title is also written as Murders?.
The Baker of Valorgue is a 1953 French-Italian comedy film directed by Henri Verneuil and starring Fernandel, Georges Chamarat and Leda Gloria. It was shot at the Saint-Maurice Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Robert Giordani and Jean Mandaroux. It is also known by the alternative title The Wild Oat.
