Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin, better known as Fernandel, was a French actor and singer. 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 was a comedy star who first gained 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.
The Prix de Rome or Grand Prix de Rome was a French scholarship for arts students, initially for painters and sculptors, that was established in 1663 during the reign of Louis XIV of France. Winners were awarded a bursary that allowed them to stay in Rome for three to five years at the expense of the state. The prize was extended to architecture in 1720, music in 1803 and engraving in 1804. The prestigious award was abolished in 1968 by André Malraux, then Minister of Culture, following the May 68 riots that called for cultural change.
Jean Gabin was a French actor and singer. Considered a key figure in French cinema, he starred in several classic films including Pépé le Moko (1937), La grande illusion (1937), Le Quai des brumes (1938), La bête humaine (1938), Le jour se lève (1939), and Le plaisir (1952). During his career he had twice won both the Silver Bear for Best Actor from the Berlin International Film Festival and the Volpi Cup for Best Actor from the Venice Film Festival respectively. Gabin was made a member of the Légion d'honneur in recognition of the important role he played in French cinema.
Courbevoie is a commune located in the Hauts-de-Seine Department of the Île-de-France region of France. It is in the suburbs of the city of Paris, 8.2 km (5.1 mi) from the center of Paris. The centre of Courbevoie is situated 2 km (1.2 mi) from the city limits of Paris.
Julien Duvivier was a French film director and screenwriter. He was prominent in French cinema in the years 1930–1960. Amongst his most original films, chiefly notable are La Bandera, Pépé le Moko, Little World of Don Camillo, Panique, Voici le temps des assassins and Marianne de ma jeunesse.
Henri Verneuil was a French-Armenian playwright and filmmaker, who made a successful career in France. He was nominated for Oscar and Palme d'Or awards, and won Locarno International Film Festival, Edgar Allan Poe Awards, French Legion of Honor, Golden Globe Award, French National Academy of Cinema and Honorary Cesar awards.
Denys de La Patellière was a French film director and scriptwriter. He also directed Television series.
Events from the year 1904 in France.
Events from the year 1835 in France.
The Gentleman from Epsom is a 1962 French–Italian comedy film directed by Gilles Grangier and starring Jean Gabin, Madeleine Robinson and Frank Villard.
The President is a 1961 French political thriller film directed by Henri Verneuil and based on, though altering the ending of, the novel of the same title by Georges Simenon. It tells the story of a French prime minister, a lifelong proponent of the national good, who is twice betrayed by an opportunistic younger politician but in the end gets his revenge.
The Blue Veil is a 1942 French drama film directed by Jean Stelli and starring Gaby Morlay, Elvire Popesco and André Alerme. The film was remade in 1951.
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.
Gilbert Gil was a French film actor. He also directed a single film Criminal Brigade in 1947.
The Captain is a 1946 French historical adventure film directed by Robert Vernay and starring Pierre Renoir, Claude Génia, and Jean Pâqui. It was based on a novel by Michel Zévaco. The film's sets were designed by René Renoux. It is a swashbuckler set in the reign of Louis XIII.
The Messenger is a 1937 French drama film directed by Raymond Rouleau and starring Gaby Morlay, Jean Gabin and Mona Goya. It was based on a play by Henri Bernstein. Morlay reprised her role while Victor Francen, who had played the male lead on stage, was replaced by Gabin.
Not Guilty is a 1947 French crime drama film directed by Henri Decoin and starring Michel Simon, Jean Debucourt and Jany Holt.
My Father Was Right is a 1936 French romantic comedy film directed by Sacha Guitry and starring Guitry, Betty Daussmond, Paul Bernard, Serge Grave and Gaston Dubosc. It is an adaptation of the 1919 play of the same title by Guitry.
