Jacques Tourneur facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jacques Tourneur
Tourneur on set of Canyon Passage.
Born	(1904-11-12)November 12, 1904 Paris, France
Died	December 19, 1977(1977-12-19) (aged 73) Bergerac, France
Occupation	Film director
Years active	1931–1965

Jacques Tourneur (born November 12, 1904 – died December 19, 1977) was a famous French film director. He was known for making classic movies like the crime film Out of the Past. He also directed many low-budget horror films for RKO Studios. These included Cat People, I Walked with a Zombie, and The Leopard Man. Later, he directed Night of the Demon for Columbia Pictures. When he worked in Hollywood, people often called him "Jack Turner." This was an English version of his French name.

Life of Jacques Tourneur

Jacques Tourneur was born in Paris, France. His father, Maurice Tourneur, was also a film director. When Jacques was 10, he moved to the United States with his father. He started working in movies while still in high school. He was an extra actor and helped with scripts for silent films.

In 1925, Jacques and his father went back to France. Jacques Tourneur passed away in 1977. He was 73 years old. He died in Bergerac, France.

Jacques Tourneur's Career in Film

Tourneur began his career as an editor and assistant director. He directed his first French film, Tout ça ne vaut pas l'amour [fr], in 1931. In 1934, Tourneur moved to Hollywood. He signed a contract with MGM Studios. While working on the film A Tale of Two Cities, he met film producer Val Lewton.

Tourneur directed his first full-length movie, They All Come Out, in 1939. In 1941, he started working with Val Lewton at RKO Studios. There, he directed several popular low-budget horror films. These included Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie.

Cat People was a "B movie" made with a small budget. But it became famous for its special lighting and camera work. Many filmmakers copied its style later. After this success, Tourneur directed bigger movies for RKO. These included Out of the Past and Berlin Express.

In the 1950s, Tourneur became a freelance director. This meant he worked for different studios. He directed many types of films, such as Wichita, Anne of the Indies, and Night of the Demon. His last two films starred the famous actor Vincent Price. These were The Comedy of Terrors (1963) and War-Gods of the Deep (1965).

After his movie career, Tourneur started directing episodes for television shows. He directed for popular series like The Barbara Stanwyck Show, Bonanza, and The Twilight Zone. His very last directing job was for an episode of T.H.E. Cat in 1966. After that, Tourneur retired and went back to France.

Jacques Tourneur's Filmography

Movies Directed

Feature Films

Short Films

TV Episodes Directed

• 1955-1961 : General Electric Theater, 4 episodes
• 1956 : Fireside Theater, 3 episodes
• 1957 : Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, 1 episode
• 1957 : The Walter Winchell File, 3 episodes
• 1958 : Cool and Lam, CBS Productions
• 1958 : Northwest Passage, 8 episodes
• 1959 : Bonanza, 1 episode
• 1959 : The Alaskans, 1 episode
• 1960 : The Barbara Stanwyck Show, 11 episodes
• 1962 : Adventures in Paradise, 1 episode
• 1962 : Follow the Sun, 1 episode
• 1963 : The Twilight Zone, 1 episode (Night Call)
• 1966 : T.H.E. Cat, 1 episode

Assistant Director or Editor Work

Jacques Tourneur also worked as an assistant director or editor on several films, often with his father, Maurice Tourneur.

• 1929 : Le Navire des hommes perdus
• 1930 : Accusée, Levez vous
• 1931 : Maison de danses
• 1931 : Partir
• 1932 : Au nom de la Loi
• 1932 : Les Gaités de l'escadron (Editor)
• 1933 : Les Deux Orphelines (Editor)
• 1993 : Lidoire
• 1933 : Obsession (uncredited)
• 1933 : La Fusée (Editor)
• 1933 : Le Voleur
• 1934 : Rothchild (Editor)
• 1935 : A Tale of Two Cities (war sequences)

See also

In Spanish: Jacques Tourneur para niños