Chevalier was born in Paris. He made his name as a star of musical comedy, appearing in public as a singer and dancer at an early age before working in four menial jobs as a teenager. In 1909, he became the partner of the biggest female star in France at the time, Fréhel. Although their relationship was brief, she secured him his first major engagement, as a mimic and a singer in l'Alcazar in Marseille, for which he received critical acclaim by French theatre critics. In 1917, he discovered jazz and ragtime and went to London, where he found new success at the Palace Theatre.
After this, he toured the United States, where he met the American composers George Gershwin and Irving Berlin and brought Dédé to Broadway in 1922. He also developed an interest in acting, and had success in the operetta Dédé. When talkies arrived, he went to Hollywood in 1928, where he played his first American role in Innocents of Paris. In 1930, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his roles in The Love Parade (1929) and The Big Pond (1930), which secured his first big American hit, Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight.
In 1957, he appeared in Love in the Afternoon, which was his first Hollywood film in more than 20 years. In the early 1960s, he made eight films, including Can-Can in 1960 and Fanny the following year. In 1970 he made his final contribution to the film industry where he sang the title song of the Disney film The Aristocats. He died in Paris, on January 1, 1972, aged 83.
He was born in Paris, France in 1888. His father was a house painter. His mother was of Belgian descent. Maurice made his name as a star of musical comedy, appearing in public as a singer and dancer at an early age.
It was in 1901 that he first began in show business at the age of 13. He was singing at a cafe for free when a well-known member of the theatre saw him and suggested that he try out for a local musical. He did so, and got the part. Chevalier got a name as an imitator and singer. His act in l' Alcazar in Marseille was so succesful he made a triumphant rearrival in Paris.
In 1909 he became the partner of the biggest female star in France at the time, Fréhel. However, due to her alcohol and drug addiction their liason ended in 1911. Chevalier then started a relationship with the 23 year old Mistinguett at the Folies Bergére; they would eventually play out a very public romance.
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World War I
Chevalier fulfilled his army service in 1913 and therefore couldn't escape the draft when in 1914 World War I broke out. He was shot in the back in the first weeks of combat and taken as war prisoner in Germany for two years. In 1916 he managed to escape due to Minstinguett's numerous relations.
In 1917 he became a star in le Casino de Paris and played before a public of English soldiers and Americans. He discovered jazz and ragtime and started thinking about touring in the United States. In prison camp he studied English and therefore had a certain advantage, compared with other French artists. He went to London where he met a new succes, even if he still sang in French.
Hollywood
After the war Chevalier went back to Paris and created several famous songs who are still known this day, such as "Valentine" (1924). He played in a few pictures and made a huge impression in the operette, "Dédé". Here he met the American composers George Gerschwin and Irving Berlin and brought "Dédé" to Broadway in 1922. It was not a succes due to a mental breakdown. A sad Chevalier returned to France where he tried to commit suicide in 1924, because of this failure. The same year he met Yvonne Vallée, a young dancer, who became his wife in 1927.
When sound made it's entree in the film world, Chevalier returned to Hollywood in 1928 and this time he became very succesful. He signed a contract with Paramount and played his first American role in "Innocents of Paris". In 1930 Chevalier was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, for two roles: The Love Parade and The Big Pond. He collaborated much with film director Ernst Lubitsch.
In 1934 he played in the operette La Veuve Joyeuse, one of his most well known films. He became one of the several big stars in Hollywood, very rare for French artists in these days. In 1935 he signed for MGM and returned to France later that year.
In 1937 he divorced from his wife and married with the dancer Nita Raya. He encountered several other succesful performances such as his revue "Paris en Joie" in the Casino de Paris. A year later he performed in "Amours de Paris]]. His songs remained big hits, such as "Prosper" (1935), "Ma Pomme" (1936) and "Ça fait d'excellents français" (1939)
World War II
During World War I Chevalier kept performing for audiences, even German militaries. He admired Henri Pètain, who led the collaborating Vichy regime during the war. (It must be stated that many Frenchmen at that time admired Pétain for his victories in World War I.) He moved to Cannes where he and his jewish wife, Nita Raya, lived and from where he kept giving several performances.
In 1941 he performed a new revue in the Casino de Paris: "Bonjour Paris", which was another smash succes. Songs like "Ça sent si bon la France" and "La Chanson du maçon" became other new hits. The nazis asked Chevalier if he wanted to perform in Berlin and sing for the collaborating radio station Radio-Paris. He refused, but did give several performances in front of prisoners of war in Germany where he succeded in liberating 10 people in exchange.
In 1942 he returned to Bocca, near Cannes, but returned to the French capital city in september. In 1944 when the Allied forces freed France, Chevalier was accused of collaboration. Even though these claims were disputed and he was formally acquitted of these charges, the English speaking press remained very hostile and even refused to give him a visa for several years.
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After the War
In his own country, however, he was still very popular. In 1946 he divorced from Nita Raya and starting writing his memoires, who would be further completed over the years. He started to paint and collect things and acted in Le Silence est d' Or (1946) by René Clair. He still toured throughout the United States and other parts of the world and returned to France in 1948.
In 1949 he performed in Stockholm on a communist benefit against nuclear arms. (In 1944 he had already participated to a communist defilé in Paris). Anti-communist witch hunts in the US made him therefore persona non grata in this country during the early fifties.
In 1952 he bought a large proporty in Marnes-La-Coquette, Paris and named it "La Louque", as a hommage to his mother's nickname. He started a new relationship in 1952 with Janie Michels, a young divorced mother with three children. Being a painter herself she encouraged Chevalier's artistic hobby.
In 1954 Chevalier was welcomed back in the United States. His American success reappeared thanks to the film Ariane (1957) with Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper, by Billy Wilder. He rediscovered his popularity with new audiences, appearing in the movie musical, Gigi (1958) with Leslie Caron and Hermione Gingold, with whom he shared the song "I Remember It Well", and several Walt Disney films. The great success of Gigi prompted Hollywood to give him an Honorary Academy Award that same year for his lifetime achievements in the field of entertainment.
After this he continued to perform in public and met celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot and Dwight Eisenhower.
Final Years
Chevalier continued to work up until very old age with impressive energy and enthusiasm. In the early sixties he toured thru the United States and between 1960 and 1963 he made eight films. When he returned to France he was invited by president Charles de Gaulle for a meal.
In 1965, at the age of 77 he made another world tour and visited again the US and other countries like South Africa. In 1967 he toured in Latin America, again the US, Europe and Canada.
In 1968, on October 1st, he announced his official farewell tour. Tired but nonetheless still able to entertain people he stopped twenty days later.
In 1970, he sang the title song of the Disney film The Aristocats. During a tour in the US he decided to stay there. However in December 1971 he got ill and had to be brought to the hospital.
Maurice Chevalier died on January 1, 1972, aged 83, and was interred in the cemetery of Marnes la Coquette in Hauts-de-Seine, France.
Ca Fait d Excellents Francais
Maurice Chevalier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Le commandant était dans l'industrie
Le capitaine était dans l'assurance
Et le lieutenant était dans l'épicerie
Le juteux était huissier de la Banque de France
Le sergent était boulanger-pâtissier
Le caporal était dans l'ignorance
Et le deuxième classe était rentier
Et tout ça, ça fait
D'excellents Français
D'excellents soldats
Qui marchent au pas
Ils n'en avaient plus l'habitude
Mais c'est comme la bicyclette, ça s'oublie pas
Et tout ces gaillards
Qui pour la plupart
Ont des gosses qui ont leur certificat d'études
Oui, tous ces braves gens
Sont partis chiquement
Pour faire tout comme jadis
Ce que leurs pères ont fait pour leurs fils
Le colonel avait de l'albumine
Le commandant souffrait du gros côlon
La capitaine avait bien mauvaise mine
Et le lieutenant avait des ganglions
Le juteux souffrait de coliques néphrétiques
Le sergent avait le pylore atrophié
La caporal un coryza chronique
Et le deuxième classe des cors aux pieds
Et tout ça, ça fait
D'excellents FrançaisD'excellents soldats
Qui marchent au pas
Oubliant dans cette aventure
Qu'ils étaient douillets, fragiles et délicats
Et tout ces gaillards
Qui pour la plupart
Prenaient des cachets, des gouttes et des mixtures
Les v'là bien portants
Tout comme à vingt ans
D'où vient ce miracle-là ?
Mais du pinard et du tabac !
Le colonel était d'l'Action Française
Le commandant était un modéré
Le capitaine était pour le diocèse
Et le lieutenant boulottait du curé
Le juteux était un fervent extrémiste
Le sergent un socialiste convaincu
Le caporal inscrit sur toutes les listes
Et le deuxième classe au PMU
Et tout ça, ça fait
D'excellents Français
D'excellents soldats
Qui marchent au pas
En pensant que la République
C'est encore le meilleur régime ici-bas
Et tout ces gaillards
Qui pour la plupart
N'étaient pas du même avis en politique
Les v'là tous d'accord
Quel que soit leur sort
Ils désirent tous désormais
Qu'on nous foute une bonne fois la paix !
The lyrics of Maurice Chevalier's song "Ça Fait D'excellents Français" paint a satirical and humorous picture of a group of French soldiers with diverse backgrounds and ailments. The song highlights how despite their differences in professions, health issues, political beliefs, and social status, they all come together as "d'excellents Français" (excellent Frenchmen) serving their country as soldiers.
The first stanza describes the hierarchy within the group, ranging from the colonel in finance to the second-class soldier as a rentier. Each soldier is portrayed humorously with their respective roles and backgrounds, showing the variety within the group. The chorus emphasizes how these individuals, who may not have been accustomed to military life, still excel as soldiers because certain traits like discipline and patriotism are ingrained in them.
In the second stanza, the song humorously lists the various health issues and ailments that afflict the soldiers, from the colonel's albumin to the second-class soldier's foot corns. Despite their physical vulnerabilities and the medical treatments they were previously reliant on, the soldiers find newfound vitality and strength in the face of their military duties, thanks to the rejuvenating effects of wine and tobacco.
Continuing the theme of contrasts, the third stanza reveals the soldiers' differing political beliefs, from the colonel's association with Action Française to the second-class soldier's penchant for betting at the PMU (pari mutuel urbain). Despite their political differences, the soldiers ultimately unite in their desire for peace and unity, realizing that the Republic is the best regime for them all.
Overall, the song humorously portrays how a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds and beliefs can come together in solidarity when faced with a common purpose. Through satire and wit, Maurice Chevalier underscores the resilience, adaptability, and unity found within the French soldier, ultimately celebrating the spirit of camaraderie and patriotism.
Line by Line Meaning
Le colonel était dans la finance
The colonel was involved in financial matters
Le commandant était dans l'industrie
The commander was involved in industry
Le capitaine était dans l'assurance
The captain was in the insurance business
Et le lieutenant était dans l'épicerie
And the lieutenant was in the grocery business
Le juteux était huissier de la Banque de France
The juicy one was an usher at the Bank of France
Le sergent était boulanger-pâtissier
The sergeant was a baker and pastry chef
Le caporal était dans l'ignorance
The corporal was ignorant
Et le deuxième classe était rentier
And the second class was a retiree
Et tout ça, ça fait
And all that makes
D'excellents Français
Excellent French people
D'excellents soldats
Excellent soldiers
Qui marchent au pas
Who march in step
Le colonel avait de l'albumine
The colonel had albumin
Le commandant souffrait du gros côlon
The commander suffered from a large colon
La capitaine avait bien mauvaise mine
The captain looked very bad
Et le lieutenant avait des ganglions
And the lieutenant had swollen lymph nodes
Et tout ces gaillards
And all these guys
Qui pour la plupart
Who for the most part
Ont des gosses qui ont leur certificat d'études
Have kids who have their school certificates
Le colonel était d'l'Action Française
The colonel was a member of the Action Française
Le commandant était un modéré
The commander was a moderate
Le capitaine était pour le diocèse
The captain was for the diocese
Et le lieutenant boulottait du curé
And the lieutenant was eating up the priest
Et tout ça, ça fait
And all that makes
En pensant que la République
Thinking that the Republic
C'est encore le meilleur régime ici-bas
Is still the best system here on earth
Les v'là tous d'accord
They all agree
Quel que soit leur sort
No matter their fate
Ils désirent tous désormais
They all desire now
Qu'on nous foute une bonne fois la paix !
That we are left in peace once and for all
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BALANDRAS EDITIONS
Written by: JEAN MARIE-JOSEPH BOYER, GEORGES EUGENE EMILE VAN PARYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@colleman87000
Le colonel était dans la finance,
Le commandant était dans l'industrie,
Le capitaine était dans l'assurance,
Et le lieutenant était dans l'épicerie ,
Le juteux était huissier de la Banque de France ,
Le sergent était boulanger-pâtissier ,
Le caporal, était dans l'ignorance ,
Et le deuxième classe était rentier !
Et tout ça, ça fait
D'excellents Français,
D'excellents soldats,
Qui marchent au pas ,
Ils n'en avaient plus l'habitude,
Mais c'est comme la bicyclette, ça s'oublie pas !
Et tout ces gaillards,
Qui pour la plupart,
Ont des gosses qui ont leur certificat d'études,
Oui, tous ces braves gens
Sont partis chiquement
Pour faire tout comme jadis
Ce que leurs pères ont fait pour leurs fils .
Le colonel, avait de l'albumine,
Le commandant, souffrait du gros côlon ,
La capitaine, avait bien mauvaise mine,
Et le lieutenant, avait des ganglions,
Le juteux souffrait de coliques néphrétiques ,
Le sergent avait le pylore atrophié ,
La caporal, un coryza chronique ,
Et l'deuxième classe, des cors aux pieds,
Et tout ça, ça fait
D'excellents Français
D'excellents soldats,
Qui marchent au pas,
Oubliant dans cette aventure,
Qu'ils étaient douillets, fragiles et délicats,
Et tout ces gaillards
Qui pour la plupart
Prenaient des cachets, des gouttes et des mixtures ,
Les v'là bien portants
Tout comme à vingt ans
D'où vient ce miracle-là ?
Mais du pinard et du tabac !
Le colonel, était d' l'Action Française ,
Le commandant, était un modéré,
Le capitaine, était pour le diocèse,
Et le lieutenant, boulottait du curé ,
Le juteux, était un fervent extrémiste,
Le sergent, un socialiste convaincu ,
Le caporal, inscrit sur toutes les listes,
Et l'deuxième classe au PMU !
Et tout ça, ça fait,
D'excellents Français,
D'excellents soldats,
Qui marchent au pas,
En pensant que la République ,
C'est encore le meilleur régime ici-bas,
Et tout ces gaillards,
Qui pour la plupart,
N'étaient pas du même avis en politique ,
Les v'là tous d'accord
Quel que soit leur sort
Ils désirent tous désormais
Qu'on nous foute une bonne fois la paix !
@pedrobarbosaduarte3704
The colonel was in finance
The commander was in industry
The captain was in insurance
And the lieutenant was in the grocer's
The adjutant was a bailiff for the Bank of France
The sergeant was a baker
The corporal was unaware
And the second class was independently wealthy
And all of them make
Excellent Frenchmen
Excellent soldiers
Who march in step
They're no longer used to it
But it's like riding a bicycle, you never forget!
And all these fine fellows
Who for the most part
Have kids who have their diplomas
Yes, all these good men
Have left smartly
To do as in days of yore
What their fathers did for their sons
The colonel was passing protein
The commander suffered from a swollen colon
The captain really didn't look well
And the lieutenant had ganglions
The adjutant suffered from nephritic diarrhoea
The sergeant had un atrophied polyp
The corporal had a chronic cold
And the second class had corns on his feet
And all of them make
Excellent Frenchmen
Excellent soldiers
Who march in step
Forgetting in this adventure
That they used to be soft, weak and frail
And all these fine fellows
Who for the most part
Were taking pills, drops and mixtures
Here they are in fine form
All as if still twenty years old
What brought this miracle on?
Nothing but cheap plonk and tobacco!
The colonel was from Action Française
The commander was a moderate
The captain backed the church
And the lieutenant ate priests for breakfast
The adjutant was a fervent extremist
The sergeant a committed socialist
The corporal signed up for everything
And the second class to the bookie!
And all of them make
Excellent Frenchmen
Excellent soldiers
Who march in step
Thinking that the Republic
Is the best regime down here
And all these fine fellows
Who for the most part
Were not of the same political bent
Here they are all agreeing
That whatever their fate
What they all want from now on
Is to be for once'n'all left in bloody peace!
@djhbr
La fameuse ligne maginot infranchissable ...
@lukasdelattre5735
En sois là ligne maginot n'as pas été franchie. Les allemands sont passé là où rien n'avais été prévu
@arthurharris4324
A-t-elle était franchie ?
@kettelbe
@@lukasdelattre5735mdr fameux investissement ahaha
@kettelbe
@@arthurharris4324et ensuite?
@alaindaubresse2161
@@lukasdelattre5735exact et les belges n ont pas voulu qu on la prolonge
@pierreguitton5419
Vive la France et l'armée
Envoyé
@louisecolin4854
Vive monsieur Bériot !!!
@anastasia3545
Hahaha😆😆
@stevencoupeau2633
Oui vive Bériot !😂