French cinema of the last century has a special charm. When viewing such paintings, one gets the feeling that they are incredibly close and understandable to us. How did the creators succeed, despite the time interval of several years?
Many French comedies are endowed with such humor, which we understand today. And immediately comes to mind a series of films about Fantomas, in which, in addition to the brilliant Louis De Funes, many interesting actors starred. Robert Dalban, whose real name is Gaston Paul Barre, is one of them. During his life he played in more than 200 films, and those viewers who love old French cinema will undoubtedly remember his film works.
The actor died in 1987, but left a bright mark in the cinema. He often had to swim against the tide, but he always achieved his goal and waited patiently. Who is this guy who played the newspaper editor in a series of films about Fantomas?
early years
The future actor was born in 1903 in the small commune of Poitou-Charentes. Robert Dalban himself has repeatedly said that he always loved his homeland - France, although he visited many parts of the world. As soon as he realized that he succeeds in acting best of all, he decided to take a creative pseudonym in the hope that the more consonant surname Dalban will bring success. From an early age, he already knew that he would become an actor.
In high school, Robert enrolled in a theater circle and delighted classmates with playing on stage. This hobby very quickly grew into a real hobby, and, inspired by the future glory of a world-famous star, our hero went to the local theater āMontparnasseā.
The first steps
The directors were in no hurry to give him the main roles, but they could not dispute the boy's undoubted talent. He was trusted with secondary images, and Dalban was certainly grateful for this. After all, so he gained experience and learned the basics of acting, watching the rehearsals of venerable actors who played in the theater. The beginning of a great career was laid.
Robert Dalban, whose biography includes many interesting facts, managed to maintain his desire to become a great actor even when difficult times arrived. After graduation, he was forced to go to work: hunger and instability reigned in the country, and it was too early to dream of conquering the scene. Later, the actor recalled that such difficulties only hardened his character. He was patient and just waiting. Waiting for his finest hour.
The thorny path to recognition
The 20s of the last century were difficult for France. But theatrical art flourished, which helped our hero find himself a more or less decent job. Robert Dalban enters the service of the Three Musketeers Theater, where, under the peculiar pseudonym RQ, continues to improve his acting skills. During these years, he simultaneously appeared on the stages of two Parisian theaters, but after meeting Sarah Bernhardt, who by that time had very wide popularity, he left the country for the first time in his life and moved to the USA for several years. There, together with her, she plays in various kinds of cabarets and musical productions. Unfortunately, a career in a foreign country does not work out, and Robert is forced to return back to Paris. He always remains faithful to his beloved city.
Episode master
In the mid-30s, Robert Dalban met Gabi Morlaix, who āwrites outā a ticket to a big movie for him. The debut in the cinema took place in 1934, but the episodic role in the comedy āGold on the Streetā does not bring him due fame. Moreover, his name is not even indicated in the credits.
Many directors believed that this guy was not suitable for the main roles: his appearance was too unattractive. This circumstance influenced the further creative path of the actor, who for a long time had to be content with secondary roles. Behind the scenes, he was jokingly called the "master of the episode." It is in this status that he remains on the pages of the history of French cinema. Robert patiently waits, grateful for the opportunity to just play. After all, even a small role is a chance to hone your skills.
New career twist
Robert Dalban, whose filmography continues to replenish with new roles, thinks about his personal life. In 1940, he marries actress Madeleine Robinson. But this marriage does not bring the expected happiness to the spouses, and after six years they decide to divorce. In marriage, a couple was born a son.
1950 leaves a significant mark in the career of an actor. Thanks to the ties left since visiting America, he participates in the voice acting "Gone with the Wind." Acquaintance with Robert Hossein, who became a good friend for Dalban, leads him to the new film āBastards Go to Hellā. In subsequent years, the actor is firmly entrenched in his craft. The directors are already happy to give him episodic roles, and critics say that no one can shine on the secondary plane like Robert does. So in the cinema appears the great French actor Robert Dalban.
In 1963, he was offered a role in the movie Uncle Gangsters, where he plays a guy named John. This brings him incredible success, and the heroās quotes instantly diverge to the masses. Work on the picture introduces Robert to the director Georges Lautner, and their long-term friendship leads to the fact that in almost every of his next film, Lautner invites Dalban.
In 1964, his popularity reached the heights again. Robert Dalban in the film Fantomas fits in organically with the image of the editor of the newspaper Dawn. And it gets along perfectly on the site with eminent stars: Louis De Funes and Jean Mare. The actor also appears in this role in subsequent parts of the film.
Among other vivid film works of Robert, one can note such paintings as āUmbrella Prickā, āBoomā, āLes Miserablesā, āDaddiesā.
... staying on the pages of history
It's a shame that in his last years the āmaster of the episodeā was completely forgotten: there were no new roles. This led Robert's life to complete desolation: after all, without playing a movie, he could not imagine himself. The actor understood that he was gradually becoming fashionable and not even necessary, but his talent could still be enough for decades.
A wonderful man and a great actor, Robert Dalban managed to leave behind a lot of memorable images, each of which he embodied with complete dedication. In another way, he simply could not. With the actorās passing away, a whole era of funny and not very cinema, the era of French cinema, passed, giving way to new genres and new names.