"Maurice Chevalier, The greatest thing to come from France since Lafayette" Al Jolson

1. Maurice Chevalier with Sophia Loren in "A Breath of Scandal" (1960) 2. Maurice Chevalier with Audrey Hepburn in  "Love in the Afternoon" (1957) 3. Maurice Chevalier with Jeanette MacDonald in "Love Me Tonight" (1932)

 

Le Casino de Paris

La Crème de La Crème of the Parisian Cabaret World

Mistinguet and Maurice Chevalier Collaborate Together

 

Photo: Maurice Chevalier and Jerry Lewis in Paris in 1971.

Maurice Chevalier was the superstar of “Le Casino de Paris”. He shared fame and fortune with his co-female superstar Mistinguett. They had different personalities and divergent characters, yet they were friendly on the set. Mistinguett was very jealous and envious of the success of any female or male Parisian artist who was a threat to her, regardless where she or he performed. Chevalier was a perfect gentleman on and off stage. He had a lot of class and was very permissive by nature. 

 

 

 

 

Mistinguet was a very loving and generous person but, a shrewd, tough cookie artiste. I have devoted a large part of this work to the biography of Mistinguett “La Reine de Paris”, the queen of Paris as the Parisians used to call her and to Maurice Chevalier as well. Please refer to. The French did not consider Mistinguett as a “great singer”. They saw in her the perfect Cabaret artiste with a very unique stage presence. She had legs! She had charisma! She was outrageous! And she was multi faceted. Chevalier was looked upon as the perfect Parisian music hall singer, artist and entertainer. Both had national and international hits. Chevalier had his “Gigi”, “Valentine”, “Mimi”, “Louise” and “Thanks for the Little Girl”. Mistinguett had “Ca C’est Paris” and “Mon Homme”, a song which became an international success. Almost all the great French singers one day will sing her song, Patachou the protégé of Edith Piaf recorded it, and decades later, Barbra Streisand will record it  too under “My Man”.

 

Maurice Chevalier was born in 1888 in Paris, France. He began his artistic career in 1901 as a comedian and a singer. He made a dozen of movies in France and in Hollywood. Please refer to the previous part (link) to see Chevalier’s photos with world famous screen superstars. His first motion picture was in fact his first Hollywood musical "Innocents of Paris" in 1929. In 1959, His two motion pictures “The Love Parade” and “The Big Pond” both shot in 1929-1930 made him an international motion picture star. His fame and talent as a solid cinema actor were cemented in the 1950’s “Gigi” and “Love in the Afternoon”. In 1959 he was honored by the Academy Awards and received a special Oscar for his long life contributions to the world of entertainment and life achievements. He kept on performing and entertaining millions around the globe until his late seventies.

 

Meanwhile, outside the world of “Le Casino de Paris” other famous stars of “La Chanson Francaise” and “L’Art du Nu” were doing very well. Esther Lekain had a big success with her “ La Petite Tonkinoise”. Fréhel makes it big with her Tango show. Damia becomes a sensation. Yvonne Printemps is taking Paris by storm. Eugénie Buffet is now recognized a national figure. The Spanish Raquel Meller triumphs in Paris. Jane Aubert’s voice is recognized as the most beautiful voice in town.

 

PARISIAN STARS IN AND OUTSIDE THE CASINO DE PARIS

Paris is Steaming with Stars, Legends and...starlets.

 

    

                                 Gaby Deslys                                                         Marie Dubas  

Photo: Lucienne Boyer

The sensational Lucienne Boyer is considered a national treasure and her song « Parlez-moi d'amour » receives the prestigious award  « Grand Prix du Disque ». Yvonne George becomes the first Parisian singer of the left bank. Some other talented artists made briefly their way to the glamorous world of entertainment and faded away as fast as they entered it. They are still remembered but are not what you call “artists to remember”. Later, newcomers will come, shine for a while and vanish. Some will be forgotten for good, while others will make their mark and cause their seal on the world of entertainment. “Fievre Serpentine” the queen of “Iconic Burlesque”, Lilly Lamont who shined for a certain period  are completely forgotten now.  Others gained fame throughout the years and the many years to come, such as Corinne Calvet who once upon a time was considered the Diva of the silver screen, Marie Dubas, the Grande Dame Line Renaud, Gaby Deslys,  Zizi Jeanmaire, etc.

                                               

 

                        Lilly Lamont                                                                                      Corinne Calvet

 

 

Le Casino de Paris

The  French Cabaret New Formula: From Tino Rossi to Rock N Roll.

From Ballet of the Opera of Rome to Jazz and Broadway’s “HAIR”!

 

In 1925, Mistinguett left « Le Casino de Paris » and returned with Jacques Charles to « Le Moulin Rouge ». Volterra had to find a high caliber “vedette” to replace Mistinguett. The only obvious choice was Maurice Chevalier. 

In 1926, Chevalier returned to “Le Casino de Paris” as the sole and principal star of the show. At that time, Mistinguett regained her throne as the queen of Parisian Cabaret at “Le Moulin Rouge”.    She switched quite often between "La Casino de Paris" and "Le Moulin Rouge". She could afford to play hardball, because she was a hot commodity and in constant demand. In that sense, Mistinguett is to be considered as the first French Cabaret Prima Dona! Even, she managed to break her contracts with those two giants to work sometimes and as it pleases her at other establishments such as le "Theatre Mogador", to name one. And this drove Volterra crazy!

 

Photo: Josephine Baker in 1930 at “Le Casino de Paris”.

In 1929, Volterra had enough. « Le Moulin Rouge » and « Le  « Théâtre Marigny » became a tough competition to beat. He sold “Le Casino de Paris” for nine million Francs. Oscar and Varna Dufrenne became the new proprietors of the Casino. In 1930, Joséphine Baker began her illustrious career at the Casino. She made her débuts in " Paris Qui Remue" which lasted 13 consecutive months. The Parisians began to call her "Reine du Music-Hall" (Queen of the Music-Hall)

 

 

 

 

 

   

Photo, left: Mistinguett’s Poster as a Recording Artist at Columbia. Photo, right: Mistinguett’s Poster as the Star of “Theatre Mogador”

 

MISTINGUETT AFFICHES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE REAL WORLD OF CABARET  

LE MOULIN ROUGE

 

THE INTERNATIONAL MEANING OF THE WORD CABARET

In Europe and Asia, traditionally, historically and pragmatically, CABARET means a place where you can find nude or half naked beautiful women performing various artistic acts of a sensual, sexual or erotic nature, in addition to various short shows or “revues” (in French) ranging from Can Can to belly dancing, and from a free form dance (individual or duo) to a collective presentation of very attractive young girls, heavy on make-up and light on clothes. Also, it is a place, where men can socialize and or meet with Cabaret women “ Fille de Cabaret” (in French, meaning Cabaret Girl), for the sole purpose of fulfilling or hoping to fulfill a sexual desire. As simple as that. The French calls it “Boite de Nuit”, meaning “ A Box of the Night”. If a given Cabaret is not known to be a socio-intellectual-artistic café-cabaret center for artists, poets and alike, then consider it as a “ Box of the Night” where women and girls are beautifully, sensually and commercially packaged and ready to engage themselves in some sort of erotic or sexual activity, exercise, fantasy, presentation, discussion or even arousing company. The French as well as 100% of Cabaret goers all over the world are familiar with the term “Engagee” in French.

 

 

The word “ENGAGEE” was specifically created by the French to refer to Cabaret girls and women who accept the invitation of a customer to join him at his table, to have a drink with him or make him buy a bottle of Champagne, a full, or at least a one half bottle of Whiskey to be able to keep a conversation with her, and possibly to be allowed to touch her. It is quite common to hear a woman in a Cabaret asking a man, any man “Would you buy me a drink?” or “Do you want to have a table”? meaning, hey buddy, do you have enough money to buy me a bottle of Champagne or a bottle of Johnny Walker or Vat 69. It is quite known worldwide (except in the United States) that a gentleman never goes to a Cabaret, and that a Cabaret Woman “Fille de Cabaret” has a bad reputation. She is a woman of the night who is willing to fully satisfy the sexual needs of a customer if the price is right. A Cabaret Woman, whether she performs on stage in any capacity or cruise the “La Salle” (The Room) is there and only there to grab customers and make them drink.

The more the customers drink, the higher is her ”commission” (Earning). In almost 90% of cases, Cabaret owners will never employ a woman to work in their establishments if she cannot drink or make customers drink. Rarely, great stars and famous singers perform in Cabarets, except in the United States. They perform at concert halls, theaters, auditoriums and alike. I have a friend who is one of the best American female Cabaret singers in America. She is of an European ethnic origin. She enjoys a fantastic success in the United States. Wherever she goes in America, she is so proud to be recognized as a Cabaret Star, a Cabaret Singer. But, when she visits her folks and friends in Europe,  the only thing she wants to hide from them Is  what she does for a living, her profession: A Cabaret Singer. For, she knows what a Cabaret singer means to them and to foreigners.

Almost, 99,99% of all the Cabarets of the world have a striptease act and various nudity displays and shows, except in the United States. Worldwide, the word Cabaret is synonymous with striptease and nude women. Only American Cabarets seem to be different. Only American Cabaret “are something else”. And we are going to find out what this “something else” is.

The best way to find out what Cabaret means to American clientele and to American Cabaret performers (singers) is to listen to American Female Cabaret singers describing what CABARET MEANS.

Photo: Mary Cleere Haran. A highly respected American Cabaret Performer. A world-class act. The refined definition of a classy and a superb performer.

 

THE AERICAN MEANING OF THE WORD CABARET . HOW  AMERICAN CLIENTELE AND AMERICAN SINGERS   EXPLAIN WHAT CABARET IS?

Andrea Marcovicci, the first Lady of America Cabaret wrote: “Cabaret Is an intensely personal evening of songs and stories, delivered in a simple, honest way in an intimate space that shatters the fourth wall. The audience participates in a direct, emotional conversation with the artist and leaves feeling contacted and personality touched.”

 

HOW AMERICAN CABARET STARS AND DIVAS DEFINE CABARET

 

 

   Amanda Abel on Cabaret   

This dazzling lady wrote: “If I should say, "cabaret is my life," would that be a terrible cliche? If so, guilty as charged. There is no greater joy than the joy of reaching an audience - by touching them, making them laugh, cry, whatever - it's all a gift. And it's one that I happily acknowledge was passed on to me by my grandfather, Eddie Cantor.

And something else he passed on - the love of your fellow performer. As much as I love being up there myself, I like nothing better than feeling that lump in my throat from the excitement of experiencing new talent. Which brings me to songwriters: It is our honor to uphold the memory of the greats - and it is our duty to bring to the stage the new and exciting composers and lyricists. If these new voices don't get a Broadway show right off the bat, where else will they be heard except through us? I am always so pleased when someone asks me for the sheet music to one of my brother's songs. It means that Brian Gari has reached someone else.

And lastly, cabaret, to me, is all about a piano. I would be nowhere without the special talents of the following amazing fellows: Ron Snyder, Bryan Miller, Houston Allred, Rob Bowers, Tommy Dodson and Bob Ralston.”  

 

 

CABARET first appeared in Northern France in 1655. Ca - From the Greek word Kato meaning down or below. Bar - From the French word Barre meaning a vertical separation (in this case a counter) where alcohol beverages are served. Et - From the French meaning small or tiny. "Cabaret" - The dictionary's definition (Fr. Pot House) meaning ale house or tavern.

A CABARET was usually found in France below a building where the less fortunate and the undesirable would frequent and party the night away. There was music, singing and dancing. This is where the famed "Apache Dance" was born. Soon, specialized talents were featured, such as jugglers, raconteurs (story tellers), singers introducing new songs, actors, etc. Later, the cabaret became "friendlier" whereby unknown talents became known and the has-been resurfaced to a new status. It was a place where one would take a mistress, where deals were made and dignitaries would go to be entertained. Emerging as a "boite de nuit" (or night club) with lavish and elegant decor, food and champagne, and orchestras and bands for the enjoyment of dancing, the caliber of talent became essential. The wealthy and the higher society were now being catered to. Monte Carlo and Las Vegas soon took over and...you know the rest of the story. Today, there are rooms all over all over the world for people who enjoy the closeness and intimacy of CABARET.”  END OF THE ARTICLE