Bourvil
Encyclopedia
André Bourvil, born André Robert Raimbourg (27 July 1917, Prétot-Vicquemare
, France – 23 September 1970, Paris) was a French actor and singer best known for his roles in comedy, most notably in his collaboration with Louis de Funès
in La Grande Vadrouille
(1966).
, the name of which inspired his stage name. He married Jeanne Lefrique on 23 January 1943. After a battle with Kahler's syndrome
, which attacks the bone marrow
, he died at the age of 53. He is buried in Montainville, Yvelines
.
. Bourvil's well-meaning characters not only managed to make us laugh but also to save themselves from the Machiavellian designs of adversaries played by de Funès.
Bourvil was, however, also capable of more dramatic roles such as the handyman in L'Arbre de Noël (1969). In this role he observes the relationship between a man he works for and the young son who has fallen ill. The audience can identify with the character played by Bourvil, just as they can in his comic roles, so often as a simple man. One can also note his role of Thénardier in the film adaptation of Les Misérables
(1958), and his last role as the policeman Mattei in Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Cercle rouge
(1970).
In March 1948 Bourvil took part in the complete recording of Offenbach
's The Tales of Hoffmann with artists of the Paris Opéra-Comique
conducted by André Cluytens
, playing the four 'servant' roles.
Prétot-Vicquemare
Prétot-Vicquemare is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:A very small farming village situated in the Pays de Caux, some northwest of Rouen at the junction of the D25, D27 and the D106 roads....
, France – 23 September 1970, Paris) was a French actor and singer best known for his roles in comedy, most notably in his collaboration with Louis de Funès
Louis de Funès
Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza was a very popular French actor who is one of the giants of French comedy alongside André Bourvil and Fernandel...
in La Grande Vadrouille
La Grande Vadrouille
La Grande Vadrouille is a 1966 Franco-British comedy film about how the crew of a Royal Air Force B-17 shot down over Paris must then make their way through German-occupied France with the main help of two French citizens with very different mindsets.For over forty...
(1966).
Biography
His father was killed in the First World War before Bourvil was born. As a result, he spent his entire childhood in the village of BourvilleBourville
Bourville is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Haute-Normandie region in northern France.-Geography:A farming village situated in the Pays de Caux, some southwest of Dieppe, at the junction of the D108 and the D237 roads.-Population:...
, the name of which inspired his stage name. He married Jeanne Lefrique on 23 January 1943. After a battle with Kahler's syndrome
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma , also known as plasma cell myeloma or Kahler's disease , is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for the production of antibodies...
, which attacks the bone marrow
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the flexible tissue found in the interior of bones. In humans, bone marrow in large bones produces new blood cells. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in adults weighing 65 kg , bone marrow accounts for approximately 2.6 kg...
, he died at the age of 53. He is buried in Montainville, Yvelines
Montainville, Yvelines
Montainville is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France....
.
His roles
In his comic performances Bourvil principally played roles of gentle and well-meaning characters who were often a bit obtuse or naive, such as his roles opposite the energetic Louis de FunèsLouis de Funès
Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza was a very popular French actor who is one of the giants of French comedy alongside André Bourvil and Fernandel...
. Bourvil's well-meaning characters not only managed to make us laugh but also to save themselves from the Machiavellian designs of adversaries played by de Funès.
Bourvil was, however, also capable of more dramatic roles such as the handyman in L'Arbre de Noël (1969). In this role he observes the relationship between a man he works for and the young son who has fallen ill. The audience can identify with the character played by Bourvil, just as they can in his comic roles, so often as a simple man. One can also note his role of Thénardier in the film adaptation of Les Misérables
Les Misérables (1958 film)
Les Misérables is a film version of the Victor Hugo novel released in France on March 12, 1958. Written by Michel Audiard and René Barjavel, the film was directed by Jean-Paul Le Chanois...
(1958), and his last role as the policeman Mattei in Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Cercle rouge
Le Cercle rouge
Le Cercle rouge is a 1970 crime film set in Paris, France. It was directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and stars Alain Delon, Bourvil, Gian Maria Volonté and Yves Montand...
(1970).
In March 1948 Bourvil took part in the complete recording of Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach
Jacques Offenbach was a Prussian-born French composer, cellist and impresario. He is remembered for his nearly 100 operettas of the 1850s–1870s and his uncompleted opera The Tales of Hoffmann. He was a powerful influence on later composers of the operetta genre, particularly Johann Strauss, Jr....
's The Tales of Hoffmann with artists of the Paris Opéra-Comique
Opéra-Comique
The Opéra-Comique is a Parisian opera company, which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with, and for a time took the name of its chief rival the Comédie-Italienne at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, and was also called the...
conducted by André Cluytens
André Cluytens
André Cluytens was a Belgian-born French conductor who was active in the concert hall, opera house and recording studio. His repertoire extended from Viennese classics through French composers to 20th century works...
, playing the four 'servant' roles.
Songs
Nearly 300, among which the best known are:- "La tendresse"
- "Salade de fruits"
- "Les crayons"
- "La Tactique du gendarme" (from the film Le roi Pandore)
- "Ballade irlandaise"
- "Un clair de lune à Maubeuge"
- "Petit bal perdu" (C'était bien)