Betty Mars
Encyclopedia
Betty Mars was a French
singer and actress, best known for her participation in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest
.
In 1971 she was spotted singing in cabaret by composer Frédéric Botton
, who offered her the song "Monsieur l'étranger" which became her first recording.
, which took place on 25 March in Edinburgh
. "Comé-comédie" is an unmistakably French chanson
-style song, which finished in 11th place of 18 entries.
and Alain Barrière
. She moved into film work, appearing in Michel Audiard
's 1974 film Bons baisers... à lundi, and Claude Lelouch's Si c'était à refaire
in 1976. More notoriously, she starred in the 1975 softcore film Emilienne, which was seen as an obvious attempt to cash in on the Emmanuelle
phenomenon of the time.
Into the 1980s, Mars tended to drift out of sight as fashions changed and her performance style fell out of favour.
of her flat in La Défense
on January 31, 1989. She died three weeks later, on February 20, in the Foch Hospital at Suresnes
.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
singer and actress, best known for her participation in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
.
Early life
Mars was the youngest of ten children and from an early age showed a flair for dance and acrobatics. By age 16 she was appearing in revues and spent the 1960s travelling as a lead performer in shows around Europe and the Americas.In 1971 she was spotted singing in cabaret by composer Frédéric Botton
Frédéric Botton
Frédéric Botton was a French lyricist and composer.- Songs :He has written many songs, in particular for:* Barbara : "Il me revient"* Mireille Darc : "Compartiment 23" , "Où est mon zèbre ?"...
, who offered her the song "Monsieur l'étranger" which became her first recording.
Eurovision Song Contest
In 1972, Mars was chosen to sing the Botton-penned "Comé-comédie" as the French representative in the 17th Eurovision Song ContestEurovision Song Contest 1972
The Eurovision Song Contest 1972 was the 17th edition series. Monaco was unable to host this year's Eurovision as they were unable to provide the resources. They approached French TV, who agreed to produce the contest, but only if the contest was staged in France and not the planned Monte Carlo...
, which took place on 25 March in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. "Comé-comédie" is an unmistakably French chanson
Chanson
A chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...
-style song, which finished in 11th place of 18 entries.
Later life
Mars continued recording through the 1970s, including duets with Mike BrantMike Brant
Mike Brant was an Israeli pop star who achieved fame after moving to France. His most successful hit was "Laisse-moi t'aimer"...
and Alain Barrière
Alain Barrière
Alain Barrière is a French singer, who has been active since the 1950s and is known for participating in the 1963 Eurovision Song Contest.- Early life :...
. She moved into film work, appearing in Michel Audiard
Michel Audiard
Pierre Michel Audiard was a French dialogue writer, screenwriter and film director. He is the father of French film director Jacques Audiard.- 1940 - 1950 :*1949 :** Mission à Tanger of André Hunebelle...
's 1974 film Bons baisers... à lundi, and Claude Lelouch's Si c'était à refaire
If I Had to Do It All Over Again
If I Had to Do It All Over Again is a film directed by Claude Lelouch, released in 1976.-Synopsis:After a long time in prison, a woman discovers her son aged 14, studying under a scholarship.-Details:...
in 1976. More notoriously, she starred in the 1975 softcore film Emilienne, which was seen as an obvious attempt to cash in on the Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle
Emmanuelle is the lead character in a series of French softcore erotic movies based on a character created by Emmanuelle Arsan in the novel Emmanuelle...
phenomenon of the time.
Into the 1980s, Mars tended to drift out of sight as fashions changed and her performance style fell out of favour.
Death
Reportedly beset by emotional and financial problems, Mars jumped from a windowDefenestration
Defenestration is the act of throwing someone or something out of a window.The term "defenestration" was coined around the time of an incident in Prague Castle in the year 1618. The word comes from the Latin de- and fenestra...
of her flat in La Défense
La Défense
La Défense is a major business district of the Paris aire urbaine. With a population of 20,000, it is centered in an orbital motorway straddling the Hauts-de-Seine département municipalities of Nanterre, Courbevoie and Puteaux...
on January 31, 1989. She died three weeks later, on February 20, in the Foch Hospital at Suresnes
Suresnes
Suresnes is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris. The nearest communes are Neuilly-sur-Seine, Puteaux, Rueil-Malmaison, Saint-Cloud and Boulogne-Billancourt...
.