OSS 117

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OSS 117 is the codename for Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, a fictional secret agent created by French writer Jean Bruce (and continued by his widow Josette following Bruce's accidental death). [1] Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath is described as being an American Colonel from Louisiana of French descent. After service in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), de La Bath worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), then the National Security Council (NSC).

Contents

With the revival of the series in 2006, the character is reimagined as a French secret agent working for the Service de Documentation Extérieure et de Contre-Espionnage, the French intelligence agency from 1944 to 1982 (now DGSE).

In real-life, OSS code number 117 was allocated to William L. Langer, who was chief of the Research and Analysis Branch of the OSS. [2]

Novels and films

Bruce wrote 88 [3] OSS 117 novels for the French publishing house Fleuve Noir Espionnage series [4] beginning with Tu parles d'une ingénue (Ici OSS 117) in 1949, predating Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 by four years. After Jean Bruce died in a car accident in 1963, his wife Josette Bruce (signing as "J.Bruce") wrote 143 OSS 117 novels before retiring in 1985. Starting in 1987, Bruce's daughter Martine and her husband François wrote 23 more OSS 117 books. [5] The last published novel was O.S.S. 117 prend le large in 1992. [6]

The first OSS 117 film, OSS 117 Is Not Dead , was made in 1957 with Ivan Desny as OSS 117. [7]

In 1960, the rights to the Jean Bruce novel Documents à vendre, were purchased for filming by Michel Clément  [ fr ] as Le Bal des espions  [ fr ] (1960). However the rights to the character of OSS 117 had not been agreed upon so the character's name was changed to Brian Cannon, the name of another character from a novel by Jean Bruce, Romance de la Mort. [8]

In the 1960s, the character was featured in a successful Eurospy film series which was mostly directed by André Hunebelle. The role was played initially by Kerwin Mathews, and then by Frederick Stafford, with John Gavin playing the role when Stafford was filming Alfred Hitchcock's Topaz . Before leaving, however, Stafford starred in Atout cœur à Tokyo pour OSS 117 (1966), which is notable for being the first film in the series to use an original storyline instead of adapting a novel, and as such it was penned by James Bond film director Terence Young.

In 1966, Sean Flynn starred in Five Ashore in Singapore , which is an adaptation of an OSS 117 novel written by Jean Bruce. However, as was the case with Le Bal des espions (1960), producer Pierre Kalfon didn't have the rights to the OSS 117 character on the screen, he had to substitute him with an original character instead. [9] The rights to the character on the screen was exclusively optioned by producer Paul Cadéac at the time. Kalfon, however, would purchase the rights to the character years later, resulting in OSS 117 Takes a Vacation (1970), which he co-produced and directed, with Luc Merenda cast in the lead.

After the last film proved unsuccessful, the series attempted to transition to the small screen by producing a pilot for a potential television series with Alan Scott cast as the secret agent. However, it wasn't picked up by the networks and was eventually released as a standalone television film, entitled OSS 117 tue le taon (1971). It retained the use of novels as a source material which was adapted to a teleplay from the book of the same name by the author's wife, Josette Bruce.

Parodies

Director Michel Hazanavicius and screenwriter Jean-François Halin revived the series as a spoof of the EuroSpy genre that faithfully parodied the original films, even going as far to paying several homages to the action-adventure films from the 1950s and the 1960s as well as recreating the atmospheric feel of those productions. [10] Its technical and visual influences are drawn from the early James Bond films starring Sean Connery as well as the original OSS 117 films directed by André Hunebelle. Additionally, Alfred Hitchcock's films also serve as major inspirations for the cinematography and the visual effects.

Starring actor-comedian Jean Dujardin in the titular role, this incarnation of the character is reinvented as a French spy working for the SDECE, who's portrayed as a self-important, dim-witted and politically incorrect oaf. He's generally depicted as quintessentially "franchouillard" (typically French). As a comical character, he often creates awkward social situations due to his colonial ideology, staunch French patriotism, chauvinism and machismo. At the same time, he embodies the ideal secret agent archetype: Handsome, physically adept (he loves fighting and dances everything from the mambo to the twist), and uses his charm to seduce quite a few women. When an ally mispronounces his codename, he eccentrically corrects him with the proper pronunciation—One Hundred and Seventeen ("cent dix-sept" in French) as opposed to Double One Seven (a light jab at James Bond's 00-prefix).

The first two films, OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006) and OSS 117: Lost in Rio (2009), are both directed by Hazanavicius and co-written with Halin. However, for the third film, Hazanavicius chose not to return due to creative differences with Halin regarding the script. Instead, Nicolas Bedos took over the directing duties and worked closely with Halin on adapting his screenplay, resulting in OSS 117: From Africa with Love (2021), [11] which, unlike the first two films, opts for contemporary filming techniques. [12]

List of film adaptations

Jean Dujardin portrays OSS 117 in the revival series. DUJARDIN Jean 02-24x30-2009.jpg
Jean Dujardin portrays OSS 117 in the revival series.

Original series

Revival

Related Research Articles

Jean Bruce, born Jean Brochet, was a prolific French popular writer. He also wrote under the pseudonyms of Jean Alexandre, Jean Alexandre Brochet, Jean-Martin Rouan, and Joyce Lindsay. He died in a car accident in 1963 at the age of 42.

André Hunebelle was a French maître verrier and film director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederick Stafford</span> Czechoslovak-born actor (1928-1979)

Frederick Stafford was a Czechoslovak-born actor. Born Friedrich Strobel von Stein, he spoke fluent Czech, German, English, French and Italian, and was a leading man in European spy-movies and in Alfred Hitchcock's Topaz.

<i>OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies</i> 2006 film by Michel Hazanavicius

OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies is a 2006 French spy comedy film directed and co-written by Michel Hazanavicius in his feature directorial debut. Starring Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, and Aure Atika, the film has been widely praised for its cinematography, editing, and score. Set in 1955, the film follows the exploits of a French secret agent as he is sent to Cairo to investigate the disappearance of his best friend and fellow spy Jack Jefferson, only to stumble into a web of international intrigue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurospy film</span> Genre of spy films

Eurospy film, or Spaghetti spy film, is a genre of spy films produced in Europe, especially in Italy, France, and Spain, that either sincerely imitated or else parodied the British James Bond spy series feature films. The first wave of Eurospy films was released in 1964, two years after the first James Bond film, Dr. No, and in the same year as the premiere of what many consider to be the apotheosis of the Bond series, Goldfinger. For the most part, the Eurospy craze lasted until around 1967 or 1968. In Italy, where most of these films were produced, this trend replaced the declining sword and sandal genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Dujardin</span> French actor

Jean Edmond Dujardin is a French actor and comedian. He began his career as a stand-up comedian in Paris before guest starring in comedic television programmes and films. He first came to prominence with the cult TV series Un gars, une fille (1999–2003), in which he starred alongside his partner Alexandra Lamy, before becoming a popular film actor with comedies such as Brice de Nice (2005), Michel Hazanavicius's OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006), its sequel OSS 117: Lost in Rio (2009), and 99 Francs (2007).

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<i>OSS 117: Lost in Rio</i> 2009 film by Michel Hazanavicius

OSS 117: Lost in Rio is a 2009 French spy comedy film co-written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius. It is a sequel to Hazanavicius' OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006), and sees Jean Dujardin reprising his role as French secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath / OSS 117. Set in 1967, Lost in Rio sees OSS 117 sent to Brazil in order to retrieve a microfilm list of French Nazi sympathizers, only to once again unknowingly set foot into a bigger international intrigue.

<i>OSS 117 Mission for a Killer</i> 1965 French film

Furia à Bahia pour OSS 117 is a 1965 French/Italian international co-production Eurospy spy-fi film. It was the third OSS 117 film directed by André Hunebelle and produced by Paul Cadéac. Frederick Stafford made his film debut taking over the role of OSS 117 from Kerwin Mathews.

<i>Shadow of Evil</i> 1964 French film

Banco à Bangkok pour OSS 117 released in the USA as Shadow of Evil is a 1964 French/Italian international co-production Eurospy spy-fi film. It was based on Jean Bruce's 1960 novel Lila de Calcutta, the 74th OSS 117 novel. It was the second OSS 117 film directed by André Hunebelle and produced by Paul Cadéac, the first in the series in colour, the first co-produced by the Italian company Da.Ma. Cinematografica and the last to star Kerwin Mathews as OSS 117.

<i>Atout cœur à Tokyo pour OSS 117</i> 1966 French film

Atout cœur à Tokyo pour OSS 117 is a 1966 French Eurospy spy-fi film. It was the fourth OSS 117 film of the 1960s, directed by Michel Boisrond, presented by the director of the three previous 1960's OSS films, André Hunebelle and produced by Paul Cadéac. Frederick Stafford makes his second and last appearance as OSS 117.

<i>OSS 117 Takes a Vacation</i> 1970 film directed by Pierre Kalfon

OSS 117 takes a vacation/Hot Holidays for OSS 117/OSS 117 prend des vacances is a French/Brazilian international co-production 1970 spy film directed by Pierre Kalfon who also co-wrote and co-produced the film. It starred Luc Merenda, Edwige Feuillère and Elsa Martinelli. The film is one of the OSS 117 series of films, and was based on the 1968 novel Vacances Pour OSS 117 by Josette Bruce the widow of Jean Bruce who also co-wrote the film. The film was shot in Guarujá.

Jean-Marie Hunebelle, known professionally as Jean Halain, born 14 January 1920 in Paris, died 14 September 2000 in Juvisy-sur-Orge, was a French film screenwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michel Hazanavicius</span> French film director, producer and screenwriter

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<i>The Artist</i> (film) 2011 film directed by Michel Hazanavicius

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Josette Bruce was a French novelist of Polish origin. She is remembered for taking over the literary series OSS 117 about secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath after the death of her husband Jean Bruce, creator of the series.

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OSS 117 Is Unleashed aka OSS 117 se déchaîne is a 1963 French spy film starring Kerwin Mathews. It is part of the OSS 117 series.

<i>OSS 117: From Africa with Love</i> 2021 French film

OSS 117: From Africa with Love is a 2021 French spy comedy film directed by Nicolas Bedos from a screenplay by Jean-François Halin. It is the eleventh film based on the Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath / OSS 117 character created by Jean Bruce and the third in the parody series starring Jean Dujardin as a comedic take on the titular character, preceded by OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006) and OSS 117: Lost in Rio (2009), both of which were directed by Michel Hazanavicius.

Jacques Besnard was a French film director, assistant director, producer, actor and screenwriter. Best known for Le Grand Restaurant (1966), Le Fou du labo 4 (1967) and La situation est grave... mais pas désespérée (1976).

References

  1. Tobias, Scott (6 May 2010). "'Lost In Rio': Spy Comedy With A French Twist". National Public Radio. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  2. p. 543 Dulles, Allen Welsh, Petersen Neal H. From Hitler's Doorstep: The Wartime Intelligence Reports of Allen Dulles, Penn State Press, 1996.
  3. "Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath alias OSS 117" (in French). Archived from the original on 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
  4. "Brantonne". www.coolfrenchcomics.com. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  5. OSS 117 entreprise familiale, documentary for the French channel 13ème rue Archived 2010-01-04 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved on 29 October 2010.
  6. p. 60 Williams, Nicola. France, Lonely Planet, 2007
  7. Blake, Matt & Deal, David The Eurospy Guide Luminary Press 2004
  8. "Danger in the Middle East (1960)" . Retrieved 16 February 2018 via www.imdb.com.
  9. "Erroll Flynn's son off to Paris for spy film role" (1966, Jun 01). Los Angeles Times
  10. Review of OSS 117: Lost in Rio Archived 2011-04-14 at the Wayback Machine on sbs.com.au
  11. "OSS 117 3: first photos of Pierre Niney with Jean Dujardin". 21 January 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  12. "OSS 117 en Afrique noire : une sortie estivale pour le film avec Jean Dujardin et Pierre Niney" (in French). 25 March 2021.