I remember years ago reading something about a short film he made not long before his death which was intended to be a farewell to his fans, and was not to be released until a certain number of years after his death. Does anyone here know anything about this? I'd be grateful for any information about this, Larry
One of my childhood loves. I was a young girl and stood outside the Denver auditorium and waited for him to come out, he come out smiles at me and brushed up against my coat, which I never cleaned. Isn't that silly. Oh how i loved Maurice. Sharon
Just wanted to say Gigi was one of my favorite movies - I loved Maurice Chevalier and all the wonderful - meaningful songs that he sang in this movie. If only we still had wonderful movies like the musicals from years gone by.Thank you Maurice for some wonderful memories.
Hi there.
I was born in 1959, but I remember this actor / singer back to the time a was a little girl, in the 1960's. I am French Canadian and French was a very strong identity factor to my family and heritage. I remember our 1st TV, it would have been then that I first heard M. Chevalier sing. From 1959 to 1967, we lived on a farm in the Province of Saskatchewan, in Canada. My dad's father came from France just before WW1, and his mother was 1st generation Canadian born of Belgium descent. I loved M. Chevalier's voice. I loved his caring face, and beautiful smile. I recognize his voice whenever I hear it, and it brings me back to my young years as a child. I almost feel a sense as though he << is family >>. This evening, my daughter was humming a tune, and I told her, that's an old tune from Maurice Chevalier. I talked about him to my daughter and she immediately went to the internet to look him up, along with Mireille Mathieu. When she left, I also went to the internet, and spent a little precious time reminiscing over M. Chevalier's history, ect., and I found your link. I thought I would look it up, and now I am writing to you. Take care.
From a fan of M. Maurice chevalier,
Au revoir.
Rachel
I am currently researching my family tree. I have kept notes and bits and pieces of information I gathered from family members over the years.
One story is that Jean Bedini, a juggler in his early years, later a producer in New York, brought Maurice Chevalier to New York to star in the movie "Wine, Women and Song". This would have been sometime around 1926 or later. I noted on the Ellis Island list of passengers arriving to America that both Jean Bedini and Maurice Chevalier were on the same Ship "Majestic" which arrived in New York from Cherbourg, France in July 1922. Whether this is coincidence or planned I am not aware.
Do you know if in fact it is true that Jean Bedini was the Producer who brought Maurice Chevalier to New York, and was there a movie in which he starred called "Wine, Women and Song". Jean Bedini was married to my grandmother's sister for a period of time but as yet have been unable to confirm this through any records. My checking has been mainly through the internet.
Your confirmation that Maurice Chevalier did, in fact, star in the movie produced by Jean Bedini would add one more piece to the family tree puzzle I'm currently juggling with.
Regards, Don
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In 1963, as a reporter, I was invited, to a press party celebrating the opening of a new one-man Broadway show starring Maurice Chevalier. At the party I was introduced to this very charming actor and it was apparent that we enjoyed each other’s company. Before the evening ended, he extended an invitation for my wife and me to come and see his show. I thanked him and left, not knowing what was in store for us.
Two tickets were waiting for us at the box office and we knew we were among an audience of fans. When the lights went out, the orchestra began to play a medley of Chevalier songs. There was Louise, Mimi, Gigi, Ma Pomme, Valentina and I Remember it Well among others. Then the curtain opened and this spectacular performer with his Gallic charm, walked to center stage carrying a walking stick and wearing his signature straw hat cocked to the side of his head. He said to the audience, in heavilly accented English, "Bonjours, mon ami!” as he gave out with his famous laugh, which could only be transcribed as “Onh-onh-onh!”
For decades he starred on two continents in film, on stage, radio and television. His record sales were phenomenal. Adored throughout the world, he was often referred to as the “French Al Jolson”. In fact, Jolson himself mself called Chevalier the "Greatest thing to come from France since Lafayette.”
During intermission, a gentleman came to our seats and told us that M’sieur Chevalier invites us to his dressing room after the show. When we went backstage and up the stairs to his dressing room, the door was opened by an exquisite young woman in her twenties. She welcomed us in French accented English and told us that M’sieur Chevalier will be out in a moment. When he appeared, he was wearing a silk robe and an ascot. He shook my hand as I introduced him to Sheila. He took her hand and said, “It gives me a great pleaure, Madame, to meet such a lovely lady as you.” Then he kissed her hand. It was a memorable moment for Sheila - and me too. He died at the early age of eighty-three in 1972. I still think about him especially when I listen to his songs.
by Morton Herman
Hello:
I am 66 and I can tell you that Maurice Chevalier was a favorite of mine throughout my childhood and beyond.
One May, I sat on the curb of a street in Indianapolis to watch the world famous Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade, a parade that takes place several days before the great Indianapolis 500 mile race. Many world famous people come to Indianapolis each year for the festival parade and the race. I wish I remember the year, but this special memory took place one year during the 1950’s.
Waiting for the parade to start, I was all eyes to take in all of preparations and festivities. At one moment, as I waited, I turned around and I saw a man standing in a doorway, under the cover of the entrance of the old brick building…and as I would expect of a suave gentleman…the man I saw was leaning against the brick entrance as if he was someone bigger than life. He was wearing a trench coat and looking at his face, I instantly knew it was Maurice Chevalier. He was my favorite entertainer. I saw his movies and I saw him on television and I often tried to sing as he did…so I knew it was him.
I jumped up from the curb and walked to him, looked up and said, “Your Maurice Chevalier, aren’t you?” He said, “Yes,” and reached out to shake my hand. I was so shocked…all I could was tell him how much I admired him, how I loved to hear his French accent, and how much I loved his singing. He thanked me. I had nothing I could ask him to sign. He thanked me and I thanked him…and I went back to the street and sat down on the curb to watch the parade.
Later, I turned around and he was gone.
Ross
Here is a photo of Maurice Chevalier which belonged to Helen Gale (pictured right). Helen was a resident of the retirement community where I work. She passed away a few years ago. She was a dancer and was in many of the Chevalier films with Jeannette MacDonald. I believe this photo was taken on the set of the "Merry Widow." Helen recalled practicing his dance steps with Chevalier as a stand-in for Jeannette. I don't know who the other chorus girl was, but Helen remembers that Mr. Chavalier sent his private car to pick the two up to have lunch with him in his apartment.
I'll try to find the hand-written piece that Mrs. Gale wrote to me about this. Isn't this a handsome shot of Chevalier?
Enjoy!
Shirley Copenhaver
Tucson, AZ
Hello,
I have just looked at your website about Maurice Chevalier and thought that you might be interested to know that he was a prisoner of war at Alten Grabow with my wife's grandfather, David Anderson Hay, 3rd Batallion Gordon Highlanders. We had heard that Maurice learnt English from an English prisoner in the camp - this is not likely to have been my wife's grandfather as he was a Scot!
In case you are interested, I have some photographs of prisoners at Alten Grabow on my web site, Reminiscene. Unfortunately, none of the photographs we have so far located appear to include Maurice Chevalier. I will let you know if we do find any.
Kind Regards
David Vickers
I loved him when I was a child, was in love with him as a teenager, and still love him passionately today as an old woman of 65. I look forward to seeing him in the hereafter. Maurice, there was never another man like you.
Donna
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Good Evening, I was watching "That's entertainment" and seen Mr. Chevalier. I had followed his career ever since I seen GiGi in 1958 at a theater in my home town. I married a few months after and had the fortune of meeting Mr. Chevalier in Paris in 1960. My husband was from France and his family was very good friends. He was so gracious and very polite as you would see him in the movies. He gave me a necklace which he said belonged to his mother. I charish this piece of jewelry it is very old but not of much value only to me.
Thank you for letting me share this with you, because at the time I was only twenty. Nancy
To Whom It May Concern:
It was the year of EXPO 67...Maurice Chevalier was the one man show performer on the vast stage of the main outdoor auditorium.
I was present at the press conference in the afternoon previous to his performance. There were hundreds of press representives in the press room of the auditorium.
Most of the Q&A' were in French. I represented a multi lingual station in Montreal, CFMB, since I was able to give a report in both French and English and after most of the press conferrence had come to an end, I requested a special statement in English and Mr. Chevalier was most gracious in taking extra time with me so that I could have an exclusive interview with him for the English audience of our radio signal.
A more delightful, more obliging global personality I have never met.
Shorlty after his passing I was requested to do a tribute program to Mr. Chevalier. I was able, with the career knowledge of such a marvelous entertainer, to piece together a one hour tribute in both French and English.
A long time admirer
Sincerely
Terry McConnell
Had bought tickets to his show in London in 1963 - my mother and I were killing time waiting for the theatre to open when we passed M. Chevalier on his way to the stage door. We asked if we could get his autograph after the show, and therefore on a programme - he was so charming and asked our name. We hurried to the stage door after his one man show, absolutely fantastic, only to find hundreds of adoring fans hoping to get a glimpse of him. When we had pushed and pardoned our way through the crowds we gave our name to the doorman who checked and said o.k. in you go, upstairs first on the left. He greeted us like long lost relatives - he kissed my mothers hand, but only shook mine, to my dismay - but I found out years later that a Frenchman never kisses the hand of an unmarried lady. I'm happy with the handshake. He signed our programes, and chatted away for about 20 minutes, giving us his entire attention - almost oblivious to the others in his dressing room. He had a towel around his neck and a dressing gown on - he looked great!! What memories. My mother and I often reminisced about that meeting - very sad when he died - but what a legacy of films and music he left us. A very special person.
My German grandfather, Hermann Felgenhauer, had the singer in his barracks as a prisoner of war in the 1.WW. He asked him to perform, rather than do other duties. When I visited the Montreal Expo about 40 yrs.ago, I was on an overlook observation deck. Suddenly the door was thrust open, and a group of men appeared - shoving me roughly to mthe side. To my great surprise and joy, I recognized M.Chevalier. He was attired in a light gray suit and a matching gray hat.He looked at the scene below him and left quickly.What an experience for me, one of his many admirers. Gudrun
I named my daughter Louise because of his song.
I thought it was just a beautiful song and name for a girl.
Dear sir: It was November, 1952. The place, a small restaurant in Metz, France. I was just finishing my supper,when in walked Mr Chevalier and sat at the table next to mine..He smiled and said Bonsoir. As a young RCAF corporal I was overwhelmed for a moment or two,but finally responded Bonsoir Sir..I told him that I would be attending his concert that evening, and how much I enjoyed his singing. He thanked me and I said goodnight. At the concert Mr Chevalier announced that he knew that there were some english speaking persons in the audience and so he would sing "Louise" in english. You need to know that I really stood out in the crowd in my dress blue's....What a night. Steve F.
I, too, was privileged to see Chevalier on his last one-man tour of the USA at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. Afterwards, my french wife Claudine and I, along with another couple of which the wife was french stopped by the hotel located near the Detroit Institute of Art for dinner. In the lobby, the girls excused themselves to go to the powder-room. No sooner were they out of sight when, who else, Maurice came striding into the hotel, smiling, with a huge scarf around his neck (he had apologized earlier on stage that he was nursing a cold). He spotted me standing there with my mouth open and graciously shook hands and listened to my inane comments of how much I loved his work. He thanked me and patted me on the shoulder and winked and disappeared into the elevator. Of course, the girls showed up a few seconds later! An unforgetable moment!
When my brother was born in 1958 and My Dad took me to visit my Mom in hospital she was on the third floor of the maternity home and in those days children were not allowed to see their mothers or siblings at birth. All she could do was come to the window and look down at me standing with my Dad and waving at her. When she turned around to go back into the ward the radio was Playing Maurice Chevaliers’ “Thank Heaven for little girls” and she stated to cry.
It has become a family story that ahs been passed on to my own two girls and has become a part of our family legacy.
Sharon
Hello. My name is Ella Valentino. I am a theater actress for Florida. I must say that I can understand why the world was once in love with Maurice Chevalier. Watching his movies now, all I can do is smile. Even during his serious scenes. There is just something about him that makes me love my profession and love life. You are truely a success when someone can say that about you. The first film I saw of him was The Smiling Lt.. I was hooked from that point on. I just hope that he is never forgotten.
hi, my name is Joshua David Chevalier i am 20 years old and i am in the military. the reason that i am writing is that my relatives said that i am related to Maurice. since i have been young i have loved acting and i have been in many plays and i enjoy it. My grandfater died before he could tell me how so i want to know. I have looked on the internet for info but could not find what i was looking for so please if anyone knows or where i can find it out. please let me know. Please i would like to know how i am related to Maurice. thank you
Umeå, Sweden October 8, 2004
Articles in various Jazz Magazines in early 1957 spoke of a Philips (Columbia) recording session combining the two giants, Maurice Chevealier and Louis Armstrong. It was even reported that they probably should be recorded live at the Alhambra in Paris and later the following tunes were listed as recorded: "La Vie En Rose", "C'est Si Bon", "Poor People of Paris", "Paris je t'aime", "Louise", "Valentine" and "When the saints go marchin' in". In one report was told that Armstrong was to leave England, where he was performing, for Paris and these recordings and also that he looked forward to record with Maurice Chevalier. Since Armstrong visited England twice in 1956 the possible dates for such an encounter should be around December 20, 1956 (choise 1) or May 1956 (2nd choice).
Is there anyone who can add information in this matter? Did anything come out of these plans? Where did Mr Chevalier perform around December 20 1956? And - most interestingly - did they record together?
Håkan Forsberg
Bonjour,
Do you have a picture with M.CHEVALIER and J.SABLON togheder?
Thank you in advence
Sincerly yours,
Philippe
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful Chevalier website! Do you happen to know the French lyrics to "My Ideal"? Any information you might have would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Jessica
When I was a boy, in the 1950’s, Maurice Chevalier visited Indianapolis to attend the world famous Indianapolis 500 auto race.
On the night of the 500 Festival Parade, which was held several days before the race, I got up from the street curb where I was sitting waiting for the parade to pass. As I walked back to get in the shade of an old buildings, I saw a familiar person standing in the doorway of an the building. Actually he was leaning against the side of the door and I knew in an instant that it was my favorite movie star, Maurice Chevalier.
He was wearing a trench coat and was wearing sun glasses, but there was no doubt that it was him. As I approached I said, “Excuse me sir, are you Maurice Chevalier,” and he said, “Yes,” and it truly was him without a doubt.
I was so excited. I didn’t have a pen or paper to get his autograph, but I am not sure I would thought to ask for his autograph if I did. I was just thrilled to meet him and to talk to him.
Ross Pipes
I remember it must have been the early seventies and Maurice Chevalier was doing a TV show, perhaps Christmas special. He was giving a tour of his home in Paris and sang a very catchy tone which I still remember it today. It started as “ tout va bien per mois, tout va bien per vou, everything happy for me, everything happy for you…” does nay one know where I could get a copy of this song? I would be grateful. AJA my email aabascal@bmscorp.net thanks...
My early life was very upsetting due to my parents divorce. My mother would not allow me to spend any time with my paternal grandfather whom I loved so much, and my Maternal grandfather was so distant--try to figure out kids' minds--I decided that I would "adopt" new GrandFathers to spend time with, if only in my heart. I chose Maurice as my Paternal, and Victor Borge as my Maternal Grandfathers (Since they both needed replacing). I sadly was never able to meet Monsieur Chevalier, but do have an autographed copy of his autobiography "I Remember It Well" Which I Cherish, and a recording of my favorite movie which he starred in-"I'd Rather Be Rich"! If you have ever seen this movie, you will see the wonderful "Grand-Pere" that I love to this day! There will never be another as special as he!
Back in the mid-60s when I was 6 and 7 I bought a lot of old records at Goodwill because I liked the labels. My 1st Chevalier records were 2 Columbia french 78s from the 20s. I hadn't heard of him before but I was intrigued by that strange[to a 6 year old]voice. Then I saw him in Disney's 'Monkeys go Home'.I waited a while for more french MC records tp pop up, which they finally did in '78 on a LP 2-record set from Pathe.Nowadays there are scads of CDs of french MC recordings of the earlier years in stores, not so in the 70s. I'm getting tired of people labeling MC a Nazi, as he obviously walked a tightrope between collaboration and protecting his Jewish girlfriend and her family [funny Edith Piaf and Jean Cocteau aren't tarred that way]
Webmaster's note: Thanks for the email. By the way, President Charles de Gaulle, leader of the French resistance forces in World War II, personally cleared Chevalier of any accusations of collaboration. Years later, Chevalier was in for more slander when falsely accused of being a communist because he signed a petition against atomic weapons. See the following email.
Rob
I believe he was married once & divorced. I think he may have been part of the French resistance during WWII.
I do know that shortly after WWII he was denied entrance into the USA. Walter Winchell was behind this injustice. I don't know the whole story but it something to do with singing a petition to ban the atomic bomb. It would be interesting to see this explored more fully.
I fell in love with Maurice Chevalier when I was in grade school. While other kids were listening to the Beatles, I was listening to Louise and Valentina. In the days before VCRs, I raced and plotted to watch any sign of him on TV (in person or in movies). In those days, the Tribune Tower Ticker had news of celebs and I watched it faithfully for any mention of him. One of the first adult, full-length biographies I ever read was his (actually it was an autobiography if I remember correctly).
A close family friend decided to give me a wonderful gift and took our whole family to the Empire Room at the Palmer House when MC appeared in Chicago in 1966. She arranged for me to meet him at the door as he entered but I was so excited, I have absolutely no recall of anything said. I was so taken that I was determined to get back to see him again, so I prospected for every babysitting job I could in the next three weeks to return to the Empire Room with my mother before his engagement ended.
When he returned to Chicago as a part of his farewell tour, I left little notes and clippings around the house as hints (something I NEVER did). I remember sticking one on the bathroom mirror just before my father shaved. When all was said and done, my mother a cousin and I had seats in the last row of the last balcony in the Civic Opera House (talk about nose bleed sections). We waited outside afterwards to watch him get into a limo with lots of young girls. He was wearing a pink raincoat. Funny the things you remember.
He was undoubtedly one of the giants of entertainment who aged gracefully and with great talent right before our eyes.
I salute your website.
C.F., Warrenville IL
I just got done watching Gigi with my daughter and wife. It was my father's favorite movie. To him, I'm sure, Maurice was a comfort for him that it was alright to get old. And now it is the same for me. We'll have to see what it means to my daughter someday. Some things are precious.
James
As a journalist, I met the great Maurice Chevalier - in his dressing room, with several other Press colleagues, at Manchester Opera House - in 1968, during his worldwide 80th birthday tour. After general questions, I managed to get a private word, and told him I had impersonated him, since childhood, and had he any tips for me (then, aged 29)? "Be yourself ", he said, with a modest smile and a raised eyebrow, "you can't be me; you're 'you', aren't you ?"
Later, from a seat in the stalls, I watched in awe as he reprised his entire repertoire, and at one point - in the middle of his song and dance - seemingly effortlessly, did eight "cartwheels" across from one side of the stage to the other; finishing up with the comment: "And that was an impersonation of Sammy Davis Jnr, impersonating Maurice Chevalier." Despite being a blase journalist, that comment suddenly made me flush with embarrassment, at the thought of what he had told "me", less than an hour earlier.
An indication of just how kind and considerate Maurice Chevalier was, is evinced by his action at that one-night-stand on his tour. When he heard that a group of students from Manchester University could not get seats - because his show was an advance sell-out - he gave instructions to clear the orchestra pit, and let the students sit there; his accompanist and piano having been re-sited behind Maurice, on the Palace stage.
After he was admitted with kidney failure to the Necker Hospital - subsequent to a botched suicide attempt - I made numerous calls there, from my Manchester home, and continued to get reports on his condition, until he finally passed away. I read later, that all his life he had suffered from occasional bouts of terrible depression, when - as he would say - he had been visited by "the lady in black". Years earlier, he had attempted to take his life, but this time, he had slashed his wrists, following an upset, and when he was discovered, collapsed in his bedroom, the blood loss and shock had caused irreversible terminal damage.
It broke my heart when he died: I think he was a wonderful, "magic" warm human being, in addition to being a brilliant and flawlessly exacting performing artiste.
The like of Maurice Chevalier will never be seen again.
Gerry
PS: Look for the 1954 French made film: "Je vie sept Fie" ("I have seven daughters"), in which he sings: "Demain Je Vingt Un" ("Tomorrow I'm Twenty-One"), which - to say he was 65 when he made it - still has him displaying all the charm and elegance that was part and parcel of his Hollywood film successes, in such movies as Mamoulian's "Love Me Tonight" (1932).
I fell in love with Maurice Chevalier when I was in grade school. While other kids were listening to the Beatles, I was listening to Louise and Valentina. In the days before VCRs, I raced and plotted to watch any sign of him on TV (in person or in movies). In those days, the Tribune Tower Ticker had news of celebs and I watched it faithfully for any mention of him. One of the first adult, full-length biographies I ever read was his (actually it was an autobiography if I remember correctly).
A close family friend decided to give me a wonderful gift and took our whole family to the Empire Room at the Palmer House when MC appeared in Chicago in 1966. She arranged for me to meet him at the door as he entered but I was so excited, I have absolutely no recall of anything said. I was so taken that I was determined to get back to see him again, so I prospected for every babysitting job I could in the next three weeks to return to the Empire Room with my mother before his engagement ended.
When he returned to Chicago as a part of his farewell tour, I left little notes and clippings around the house as hints (something I NEVER did). I remember sticking one on the bathroom mirror just before my father shaved. When all was said and done, my mother a cousin and I had seats in the last row of the last balcony in the Civic Opera House (talk about nose bleed sections). We waited outside afterwards to watch him get into a limo with lots of young girls. He was wearing a pink raincoat. Funny the things you remember.
He was undoubtedly one of the giants of entertainment who aged gracefully and with great talent right before our eyes.
I salute your website.
C.F.
I am forwarding information about a recently published biography (which I have just discovered and read) of the legendary jazz vocalist Adelaide Hall titled: "Underneath A Harlem Moon ... the Harlem to Paris years of Adelaide Hall" published by Continuum Publishing, in which the writer recalls the great friendship Adelaide Hall shared with Maurice Chevalier. Also in the book is a previously unpublished photograph of Chevalier with Adelaide Hall in the Parisian nighclub she owned during the 30s called "The Big Apple." The writer also recounts a wonderful meeting between Marlena Dietrich, Chevalier and Adelaide Hall that took place in Paris. Very interesting reading for Chevalier fans. I have never seen this information before in any of the Chevalier biographies that I have read. As an avid Chevalier fan, I thought this information would be of interest to you and your website readers.
Greetings.
Was never much of MC fan at all. As a matter of fact I could not quite understand what all the fuss was about. To me, MC was just a old Frenchman who couldn't really sing or dance. Then, at a theater here in New York, at Lincoln Center, as a matter of fact, they were showing "One Hour with You". Now, this was not my first choice but the film I really wanted to see was sold out so, begrudgingly, my girlfriend and I bought two tickets to the MC film. A few minutes into the first scene with Mr. Chevalier I noticed something strange was happening: I was smiling! Then, laughing, and then feeling, "I want more"... By the time we got to the "Mitzi" number I was a hooked! Its the type of performance/performer you don't see anymore, someone with charm who communicates with an audience and is not afraid of appearing foolish or silly. Indeed, the greatest of showman did that. But we no longer have "showman" or even the vehicles for them anymore. Its a sad world....
A wonderful tribute to a great entertainer! My father was a GI in WWII and married a french woman (my mother). I grew up in the fifties listening to the records (78s and 16s) that my father brought back from France. One of the songs. Vingt-Un (Twenty-one) very popular song he sang. I would like to find a source to buy his songs. thank you, Jacqueline
BRAVO for your site MAURICE CHEVALIER!!
I am a french fan of MAURICE and a friend of the last manager of MAURICE : François Vals , author of the book "Maurice Chevalier" published by Didier Carpentier in october 2002
THANK YOU for your love for MAURICE !!
Jean-Michel Cruzel
33570 Puisseguin-St Emilion
FRANCE
I met M.C.in 1961 when I was a waiter at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich. "Goldfinger" was a celebrated Movie. I had the Honor to wait on Maurice. Gert Froebe{Actor in Goldfinger" was walking through the Dining Room and M.C. saw him, and he asked me if that was Gert Froebe. I told him YES. Maurice asked me to introduce him to Gert Froebe. I never forget the difference between them two.I will never forget his charming delightfull humble personality. I also remember him as the most beautiful man I have seen since.
Christian
Hello! I am only 16 years old, and yet, his legend lives on! I adore this old man for everything he is and had accomplished in his time. Ever since I was really young, oh say 6yrs old, I have watched the old balck and white movies with my grandparents. "gigi" and "love me tonight" were some of the first musicals I can remember singing along to on the t.v.. Now, for my french class I have chosen to do a report on M.C. as a memoir and hope to spread his legend to those that are in my generation. They dont realize how much the actors and actresses had to put up with back then, and what talent really is on the big screen these days. But besides the point, this is the FIRST web site out of THIRTEEN that has usefull information on Maurice, and I thought you would appreciate my gradittude. You've helped me out alot with my report! Aurevoir mon amie!
toujours!
Stephanie
Thank you so much for creating this web site. Maurice Chevalier was a wonderful person and I am so happy to have discovered such an appropriate tribute to a great man. I had the honor of meeting him in New York, after a performance of his one man show. I can still remember the audience at the edge of their seats, fascinated by his every word... it was an entertaining and thought provoking experience. That evening was not at all what I had anticipated and could never forget.
Gail
My daddy used to sing this to me. I don't even know how young I was when he began to do this.
My friend just had a little girl, Serena, and her husband Brendan (I hear) is absolutely in love with her. I'm going to make sure he learns the lyrics and music to this wonderful song.
I'm now 46, and the songs from GIGI are words I will never forget.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Randi J.
If Maurice Chevalier were alive today, perhaps his humane and loving presence would have helped to create a more gentile and peaceful world. Anyway, I would like to think so!
I have Maurice's recording of "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" that my daughter and I listen to every Christmas. We especially like to sing along to "Nelly has a picture boook, yellow blue and red, yesss."
Craig
Dear friends,
Due to chance circumstances which caused me to purchase a CD of French chansons, I have become a passionate fan of Maurice Chevalier. I began listening by accident, and now I can't get enough. I wonder if anyone out there can help me locate certain items. I would love to find a complete copy of memoirs, i.e. Ma route et mes chansons all eleven volumes beginning with La Louque, 1946, first 9 volumes published by Rene Julliard. I am also looking for any Chevalier films in French. I would love to find a good copy of Love Me Tonight on VHS. Also a copy of a biography by Bernard and Claudine Kirgener. Also on CD, I am looking for the songs Toi,toi,toi co-written with Henri Betti 1941, Le Madelon de la victoire from 1918 by Boyer and Borel-Clerc, Willemetz parody of Mon homme called C'est ma bonne, and Faut jamais dire ca aux femmes.
I am unable to adequately express how my listening to Chevalier sing has changed my life. I only wish I were able to tell him so. I feel sure he would understand.
If any hard core fans out there could help me locate these items, I would be very grateful. Linda
Hello,
I greatly enjoyed exploring your site on the great beloved entertainer-artist.
I do have a little reminisce related to Maurice Chevalier to submit to you -- and you can post it if you wish.
In 1967, he came to Montreal for Expo-67 and I was lucky enough to attend his show. The stage was located at the top of quite a number of stair steps (about 30?) and he climbed them all at a racing pace! Yet he WAS 79 years old, at that time! Oh, how he charmed the audience with his songs and jokes! I remember one of his jokes and it goes something like this: *** A man tells his wife that, after he shaves in the morning, he feels 20 years younger. So she says to him: " -- But, my dear, why don't you shave at night...?! " ***
I would have one QUESTION to put to you about M.C.: How tall was he? I read conflicting reports on his height. Thanks again for sharing all your valuable information and memories of that inimitable showman with us... with me!
Paris indeed had two munuments: the Eiffel tower and Maurice Chevalier, as Jean Cocteau said!
Michel
Writer, Montreal.
My dad (Joseph) passed away in 1980, he was only 59 years old. But he claimed to be related to Maurice Chevalier, not sure if it is true. He did idolize him and sang very similar to him in small shows throughout his life. Anyway, Maurice Chevalier was such a part of our lives growing up through my father's love for his music etc. My parents had 12 children, six girls, six boys, and of course we heard "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" on many occasions. I have just built my own home and have a wonderful picture of my dad posing like Maurice and would like to know where I could find a picture of Maurice (black and white) to have mounted and put up next to my dad along with other pictures of his idols (Bobby Gentry etc.). Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks. This website is great it brought back many memories. Rita
I never met Maurice Chevalier, but I know he was in Montreal on May 21st 1947. I recently saw a picture of him with the then mayor of Montreal, Camillien Houde, as he received the french singer and actor at City hall.
I am contributing to a book about Paris titled "Paris je t'aime" and the title of my story is ¨Paris sera toujours Paris" which is the title of a Maurice Chevalier song.
Paul
Montreal
Hi. My grandmother was born and raised in Berlin Germany. Her father, Franz Rau worked or partnered briefly with Maurice Chevalier performing acrobat skits. He was also my grandmother's Godfather. Unfortunately this is all the information I have and was wondering if there was a book that discussed in detail his life while living in Germany as well as his early touring years as an acrobat. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Jennifer
I really like Maurice Chevalier.
I like him so much that I am decorating my whole house with an old fashioned French flair. I have one room that I call my French room and I am going to get a cd of Maurice to play.
Cynnie
Hello: I visited your page this evening and I just love it. I recently became interested in Paris for some odd reason that I don't understand.
Last week I bought a Maurice tape titled Paris Je T'Aime on E-Bay. It arrived today and its playing now. So I began looking around to reach pages about the interesting man.
I sure like your page and it reflects a lot of work. Thanks for doing it. Charlotte
Just received the brilliant KINO disc of Love Me Tonight. What a really great film which will never date. In fact, like fine wine, it seems to improve with age.
Paul
The person who taught Maurice Chevalier English was a member of the Durham Light Infantry - Sergeant Ronald Kennedy. His family lives in the North East of England. An article was written for the Regimental Newsletter recently about this event and if you wish to receive a copy please let me know the postal address to send it.
My mother, a Belgian war bride, told me of Maurice's class. Maurice's father abandonded his family when Maurice was young. After Maurice became successful, his father contacted him. Maurice saw him once. He told his father that he would never have to worry about finances and Maurice took care of his father financially until his father passed away. He did, however, tell his father never to come around again and Maurice refused to see his father after that, but he always took care of him.
Today my High school French class is watching "Beauty and the Beast" in French. This movie has a charming candlestick named "Lumiere" and i asked my students if any of them knew who the character was based o, they did not. I told them it was the great Maurice Chevalier. I quickly went to Yahoo info and found your web page. I ran a copy of your opening page. The profile picture you have on there is magnifique. I showed them the image and now they have a new appreciation " pour la culture francaise." Merci beaucoup for a wonderful cite!
Johanna
I have just read Lisa's message, and i too, am related. Maurice is either the first or second cousin of my paternal grandmother, Therese Chevalier.
I never met Maurice Chevalier, but here's a little anecdote about one of his Canadian tours.
Back in 1948 or 1949 Maurice Chevalier performed in Quebec City. Because of the hypocritical censorship rules then in place, he had to limit the songs he sang in his public performances. However, he did put on a concert for the Provincial members of parliament at the parliament Building. This performance included all the songs that he couldn't sing at the public performances. The Quebec City newspapers reported this adding that the members of parliament enjoyed his songs very much.
I never met Maurice, but I am related to him. He was my paternal grandfather's first cousin. I always like the movie Gigi as a kid and felt almost "drawn" to watching him when I watched him sing. At the time, I had no knowledge that he was a relative. It wasn't until later, that my grandfather Robert E. Boin (now deceased) had brought it up in conversation at a dinner conversation. I can see the family resemblance between Maurice, my grandfather, and my great uncle Warren Boin.
Lisa
Enjoyed your site, it seems surprising that there is not more web space devoted to him.I write to relay that a RCA Nipper cd series, one from the '20s and one from the '30s, has recordings of Louise and Mimi. I'd be happy to relay the catalog number if you wish.
Eric
Just today I told my French students about Maurice Chevalier. I was in Paris the week that he died and still have the many magazines that were published in his honor. He was truly a wonderful representative of France to all the world. I'm glad to see that he is so well remembered on the Internet. Thank heavens for Maurice Chevalier!
Cheryl
hey!
i just wanted to write you and say that maurice chevalier was an incredibly talented artist and wonderful human being..... i have heard many story's about him although i was born 12 years to late to meet him but, I've alwasy heard about this fourth cousin of mine my grandmother who knew him extremely well once told me that although he had all this fame and wealth and at the time the whole world knew who he was he never once stopped caring about his family and never once did he let it go to his head he was doing what he loved doing and what he had always dreamed of doing and he succeeded to be one of the most memorable performers of all time... which is an incredible inspiration for me since i am an aspiring actress, he was a great man and i feel proud to be family of on of frances "greatest exports other than the Eiffel tower" so in closing keep up the good work!
thanx
jessica-anne
Being only 40 years old, i am of course too young to remember MAURICE in his prime days. However, twenty years ago i saw LOVE ME TONIGHT , easily the greatest musical of the thirties.I have read the autobiography of RICHARD RODGERS who is my favorite AMERICAN composer. In it, mister RODGERS talks about the making of the movie and of course about MAURICE who when the score was submitted to him did'nt seem to care.Mister RODGERS was very surprised the next day when MAURICE said to him that the score was wonderful. This i think tells a lot about MAURICE CHEVALIER the man.
ALAIN, ST-HUBERT,QUEBEC
I just rediscovered Maurice after purchasing a CD of his early work at Barnes and Noble. I fell in love again with the era of the l920s and His energy filled style! I am looking forward to adding to my Chevalier collection as I can. No Doubt He was one of the best. Wish I could have met him in person , what a great ARTIST!!!!
THANKS FOR THE SITE
TOBIN
Hi
Thank you for having a Maurice Chevalier page on the web.
Mr. Chevalier gave one of his last live concets in Berkeley, California in 1967. he put on a great program of old and new songs. He danced a little and told stories of his life and about his life and his love for America.
After the concert I waited outside in the hope of meeting and getting him to autographed his autobiography. The great French man came out and many of his fans went to him. He was kind and met each fan. But he seem not want to give autographs. When he met me, he smiled and thanks me for coming to the show. I thank him for coming to Berkeley. Then I ask him if he could be so kind to autographed his book. He stop and with a serious look said "I am Sorry I can not. Please read my book again and you will know why." And then he put his hand on me and smile, and said "You would understand, no ?" and from there he went in his car that was waiting for him. What Chevalier was talking about is that in his book he wrote about the cold wars years of the 1950's. One time, he was doing a concert in America. A person came up and ask for his autograph. He did not know but he just sign his name on a letter against the U.S for using the Bomb. the newspapers found out about this. Some papers called him a Red. And the U.S Congess took away his rights to visit America again. Many years later the U.S. Congress said they were dead wrong about Chevalier and he was able to come back to America and feel welcome. But from then on he will not sign autographs outside a theatre anymore because of that sad time in his life. I was pleased that were many young people there that night. He make note about this, his young fans in Berkeley in a later book he written about this his last american concert tour.
Well that it. Again thanks in keeping alive the memory of Maurice Chevalier. God Bless and Au Revoir ! ( I hope I said right the french word for good-bye ?)
Dennis
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