André Charlot

André Eugène Maurice Charlot (26 July 1882 – 20 May 1956) was a French impresario known primarily for the successful musical revues he staged in London between 1912 and 1937. He also worked as a character actor in numerous films.

André Charlot
Charlot in 1912
Born
André Eugène Maurice Charlot

(1882-07-26)26 July 1882
Paris, France
Died20 May 1956(1956-05-20) (aged 73)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor and theatre manager
Years active1942-1955
SpouseFlorence Gladman (m. 1956)
Children2

Early life and career

Born in Paris, Charlot began his career as the assistant manager of several theatres in the French capital, including the Folies Bergère and the Théâtre du Palais-Royal.[1] In 1912 he relocated to London and became the joint manager of the Alhambra Theatre, where he began presenting productions noted for their elegance and simplicity rather than lavish Ziegfeld-like stagings.

Although he was instrumental in giving Noël Coward his first big break, Charlot's first meeting with the aspiring writer was less than successful. In 1917, Coward auditioned some of his material for the producer, who was unimpressed. "He plays the piano badly and sings worse," he complained to Beatrice Lillie, who had introduced the two men, adding, "Kindly do not waste my time with people like that ever again." The following year he purchased one of Coward's songs, "Peter Pan," for Tails Up!, and in 1923 he staged London Calling!, Coward's first publicly produced musical work. It included the tune "Parisian Pierrot," sung by Gertrude Lawrence, which proved to be Coward's first big hit and one of his signature tunes. Although the show was a success, Charlot and Coward never collaborated on such a large scale again.[2]

Andre Charlot's Revue of 1924,[3] starring Lillie, Lawrence, Jessie Matthews, Effie Atherton and Jack Buchanan, was a major hit on Broadway. Ticket demand was such that the original six-week run was extended to nine months,[4] and it ultimately ran for 298 performances.

With the Great Depression, theatre attendance dropped dramatically, and Charlot was forced into temporary bankruptcy after the failure of Wonder Bar in 1930. That same year he collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock, Jack Hulbert, and Paul Murray on direction of the film Elstree Calling.[5] After producing a series of smaller London revues, he moved to Hollywood, where between 1942 and 1955 he appeared in 50 films, often in small, uncredited roles. Among them were The Constant Nymph, Passage to Marseille, The Song of Bernadette, Lady on a Train, The Dolly Sisters, Julia Misbehaves, That Forsyte Woman, Annie Get Your Gun, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and Interrupted Melody.[6]

Personal life

Charlot was married to Florence Gladman, with whom he had two children. He died of cancer in Woodland Hills, California, aged 73.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1942 The Falcon's Brother Leon Savitski Uncredited
Here We Go Again Indian Chief Uncredited
Arabian Nights Bidder Uncredited
1943 The Falcon Strikes Back Bruno Steffen
They Came to Blow Up America Zugholtz
Above Suspicion Paris Cafe Manager Uncredited
The Constant Nymph Dr. Renee
Thumbs Up E.E. Cartwright
The Man from Down Under Father Antoine
The Fallen Sparrow Pete Uncredited
Melody Parade Carroll White
The Song of Bernadette Bishop of Nevers Uncredited
1944 Passage to Marseille Judge Uncredited
Action in Arabia Andre Leroux
The Heavenly Body Dr. Burns Uncredited
Summer Storm Mr Kalenin
1945 Delightfully Dangerous Prof. Bremond Uncredited
Lady on a Train Man with Carnation Uncredited
The Dolly Sisters Monsieur Philippe Uncredited
Paris Underground Patriot Uncredited
This Love of Ours M. Flambertin
Yolanda and the Thief Dilettante Uncredited
What Next, Corporal Hargrove? Restaurant Proprietor Uncredited
1946 O.S.S. French Importer Uncredited
Deadline for Murder Gordon Uncredited
Rolling Home Dr Clark
The Razor's Edge Bishop at Elliott's Deathbed Uncredited
Temptation Prof. Dupont
The Falcon's Adventure Enrico Braganza Uncredited
1947 The Foxes of Harrow Dr. Terrebone Uncredited
Song of Love Pompous Gent Uncredited
Mourning Becomes Electra Dr. André Hamel - Christine's Father Uncredited
1948 Saigon Priest Uncredited
Julia Misbehaves Theater Doorman Uncredited
1949 The Great Sinner Distinguished Man Uncredited
I Was a Male War Bride French Minister Uncredited
That Forsyte Woman Gallery Director in Paris Uncredited
1950 Under My Skin Waiter Uncredited
Annie Get Your Gun French President Emile Loubet Uncredited
The Toast of New Orleans Dignified Man Uncredited
Breakthrough
The Du Pont Story Peter Bauduy
1951 Rich, Young and Pretty Justice of the Peace Uncredited
The Law and the Lady Maire D'Hotel Uncredited
Here Comes the Groom French Doctor Uncredited
Flame of Araby Court Physician Uncredited
1952 Lovely to Look At Creditor Uncredited
The Snows of Kilimanjaro Guest Uncredited
1953 The Mississippi Gambler Keith Uncredited
1954 Rhapsody Stage Doorman Uncredited
1955 Interrupted Melody Monsieur Bertrand Uncredited, (final film role)

References

  1. "André Charlot - French theatrical impresario and actor".
  2. A Talent to Amuse: A Biography of Noël Coward by Sheridan Morley, Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York, 1969, pp. 73, 97-98
  3. The Broadway League. "Internet Broadway Database". Ibdb.com. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  4. "Musicals101.com". Musicals101.com. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  5. "Elstree Calling (1930)". Archived from the original on 30 June 2016.
  6. "Andre Charlot". Archived from the original on 13 March 2018.

Further reading

  • Moore, James Ross (2005). André Charlot – The Genius of Intimate Musical Revue (softcover) (1st ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina, and London: McFarland Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7864-1774-2.
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