Charles Vanel Movies
An actor from the age of 16, when he appeared in a Parisian production of Hamlet, Charles Vanel made his screen bow in the 1912 film Jim Crow. He would eventually enjoy the longest movie career of any French actor, toting up well over 200 starring appearances. He was frequently seen in the films of screenwriter Jacques de Baroncelli; he also turned director on two occasions, helming 1929's Dans la Nuit and 1935's Le Coup de Minuit. His popularity diminished during the war years, but he was able to stage a comeback as a member of director Henri-Georges Clouzot's stock company. He made only one appearance in a Hollywood production, playing a key role in Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief. The recipient of a lifetime achievement award at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival, Charles Vanel retired in 1982, only to make another wholly unexpected comeback at the age of 85. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1922
This European-made adventure was based on the novel, Phroso, by Sir. Anthony Hope. Lord Wheatley (Reginald Owen) decides to purchase an island, Neopalia, a Turkish possession in the Aegean Sea. But when he travels there to take it over, the natives don't want to give it up, and they insist that Phroso (Malvina Longfellow) be its ruler. Complications ensue when Wheatley falls in love with Phroso and a Turk, Mouraki Pasha (Max Maxudian), kidnaps her. Before he can possess either Neopalia or Phroso, Wheatley has to fight a lot of battles In his day, the film's director, Louis Mercanton, was called "the D.W. Griffith of Europe," but the sloppy editing and titling of the American version of this picture detracted from whatever merits it may have had. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Reginald Owen, Paul Capellani, (more)
- 1922
World War I stunted the progress of cinema in Europe for several years and the French were still trying to catch up in 1922. This romantic melodrama, directed by Louis Mercanton, was not as technically advanced as American made films and had to be edited for U.S. consumption, but it had several strong points -- it was filmed on location at a real French chateau, and its star, Madame Rejane, was a contemporary of Sarah Bernhardt, and one of the most famous European actresses of her generation. This picture, in fact, was Rejane's last screen appearance -- she died shortly after completing her role. Romany Kate (Rejane), her orphaned granddaughter, Miarka (Desdemona Mazza), and their pet bear live on the estate of Count de la Roque (Jean Richepin), who is interested in Gypsy lore. Kate reads Miarka's fortune and sees that she is destined to marry the chief of the Gypsies. This puts a dent in Miarka's romance with the Count's nephew, Ivor (Ivor Novello), who has recently come home from college. The estate's gamekeeper, Louis (Charles Vanel), is also in love with Miarka. He steals money from the Count's chateau and allows the blame to fall on Kate. She is arrested and Louis tries to abduct Miarka, who has been left alone. But the bear attacks and mortally wounds him. As he is dying, Louis admits to the theft and Kate is freed. She and Miarka visit a Gypsy shrine, followed by the Count and Ivor. There it is revealed that Ivor is the long lost Gypsy chief, and he and Miarka are united. In addition to his role as the Count, Jean Richepin was also the author of the book on which this film was based, Miarka, the Child of the Bear. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Richepin
