Charles Vanel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Vanel
|
|
|---|---|
Charles Vanel in 1934
|
|
| Born |
Charles-Marie Vanel
21 August 1892 |
| Died | 15 April 1989 (aged 96) |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Actor Film director |
| Years active | 1908–1988 |
Charles Vanel was a famous French actor and director. He had a very long career, acting in over 200 movies! He worked with many well-known directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Luis Buñuel. People often remember him for his role as a brave truck driver in the movie The Wages of Fear. For this role, he won a special award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953.
Contents
About Charles Vanel
His Early Life
Charles-Marie Vanel was born in Rennes, France, on August 21, 1892. His family were traders and had a history of working on ships. When he was twelve, his family moved to Paris. Charles had a bit of a rebellious streak and was even expelled from all the schools he attended.
He tried to join the navy, but his eyesight wasn't good enough. So, in 1908, he decided to try acting in the theater. His very first movie was Jim Crow in 1912.
Starting His Film Career
Charles Vanel became a successful actor in silent films during the 1910s and 1920s. He often played strong, sometimes serious, characters. He felt his true movie career began with the film Tillers of the Soil in 1919. He also starred in a popular 10-part movie series called The House of Mystery in 1923.
He worked with director Jacques de Baroncelli on several films. One of his most popular movies from this time was Pêcheur d'Islande (1924). This film showed that Charles could play many different kinds of characters.
The Age of Sound Films
When movies started having sound, Charles Vanel's career grew even more. His voice helped him become a popular actor who could play many interesting roles. In the early 1930s, he signed a contract with Pathé-Natan. He starred in important films like Wooden Crosses (1932) and Les Misérables (1933).
He also worked with famous directors like Maurice Tourneur and Jacques Feyder. In the mid-1930s, he appeared in films that were part of the "poetic realism" movement in France. These included Jenny (1936) and La Belle Équipe.
During World War II, Charles Vanel continued to act, though he made fewer films. He starred in The Woman Who Dared (1944), which is considered one of his best movies. After the war, his career slowed down for a bit. He then spent time acting in many Italian films.
His Most Famous Role
In 1953, director Henri-Georges Clouzot cast Charles Vanel in the movie The Wages of Fear. This film helped bring his career back to the top. Charles played a tough truck driver who slowly shows his more sensitive side. His performance was amazing, and he won a special award at the Cannes Film Festival for Best Actor.
He worked with Clouzot again in Les Diaboliques (1955) and The Truth (1960). He also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's 1955 film, To Catch a Thief, playing a restaurant owner. In 1956, he starred with Simone Signoret in Death in the Garden by Luis Buñuel.
Later Career and Awards
As French television grew, Charles Vanel found new acting opportunities. In 1972, he played a leading role in the TV series Les Thibault. He continued to be very active in movies. He received a special tribute at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival.
In 1979, he received an honorary César Award for his long and successful career. He also won the David di Donatello award in Italy for his role in Three Brothers (1981). In this film, he played an old farmer, even though he was almost 90 years old!
His very last movie role was in Les Saisons du plaisir in 1988.
Directing Films
Charles Vanel also directed a few films himself. His only full-length movie was Dans la nuit in 1929. He also directed a short film called Affaire Classé in 1931.
His Final Years
Charles Vanel passed away on April 15, 1989, at the age of 96. He had a truly remarkable and long career in film and theater.
Awards and Recognition
- 1953: Cannes International Film Festival - Special Mention for The Wages of Fear
- 1954: Karlovy Vary International Film Festival - Best Actor for L'Affaire Maurizius
- 1957: San Sebastian International Film Festival - Best Actor for Le feu aux poudres
- 1979: Honorary César Award for his career
- 1981: David Di Donatello Award - Best Supporting Actor for Three Brothers
Selected Films
Charles Vanel appeared in over 200 films! Here are some of his notable works:
| Year | Film | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 | Jim Crow | ||
| 1923 | The House of Mystery | Henri Corradin | Alexandre Volkoff |
| 1924 | Pêcheur d'Islande | Jan | |
| 1932 | Wooden Crosses | Corporal Breval | Raymond Bernard |
| 1934 | Les Misérables | Inspector Javert | Raymond Bernard |
| 1934 | Le Grand Jeu | Clément | Jacques Feyder |
| 1936 | Jenny | Benoit | Marcel Carné |
| 1939 | La Loi du Nord | Corporal Dalrymple | Jacques Feyder |
| 1944 | The Woman Who Dared | Pierre Gauthier | Jean Grémillon |
| 1953 | The Wages of Fear | M. Jo | Henri-Georges Clouzot |
| 1955 | Les Diaboliques | Alfred Fichet, the detective | Henri-Georges Clouzot |
| 1955 | To Catch a Thief | Bertani | Alfred Hitchcock |
| 1956 | Death in the Garden | Castin | Luis Buñuel |
| 1960 | The Truth | Maître Guérin | Henri-Georges Clouzot |
| 1981 | Three Brothers | Donato Giuranna | Francesco Rosi |
See also
In Spanish: Charles Vanel para niños
