21-459: Michel Simon ( French: [miʃɛl simɔ̃] ; 9 April 1895 – 30 May 1975) was a Swiss actor of German origin active primarily in France. He appeared in many notable French films, including La Chienne (1931), Boudu Saved from Drowning (1932), L'Atalante (1934), Port of Shadows (1938), The Head (1959), and The Train (1964). Charlie Chaplin said he was ‘the greatest actor in
42-677: A magician , clown , acrobat , and stooge in a dancers' show called "Ribert's and Simon's", in the Montreuil-sous-Bois Casino. Conscripted into the Swiss Army in 1914, he spent time in the stockade. He also contracted tuberculosis . In 1915, while on leave, he saw Georges Pitoëff 's early work in the French language, at the Theatre de la Comédie of Geneva, acting in Hedda Gabler , and
63-445: A 4K digital transfer, on Blu-ray and DVD. Both editions include a 1961 introduction to the film by director Jean Renoir, a new interview with a Renoir scholar, a new restoration of Renoir's On purge bébé , a 95-minute conversation between Renoir and actor Michel Simon directed by Jacques Rivette , new English subtitles for the film, and an essay by film scholar Ginette Vincendeau . The new Blu-ray and DVD cover as well as interior poster
84-460: A long time in a bohemian house in Noisy-le-Grand , near Paris. He built a series of exterior wire tunnels that linked the various floors and allowed his pet monkeys freedom to roam around. The house was filled with bric-a-brac, including his large collection of erotic photographs and films. The collection was dispersed after his death. La Chienne La Chienne (English: The Bitch )
105-466: A man called André "Dédé" Jauguin (Georges Flamant) hitting a young woman called Lucienne "Lulu" Pelletier ( Janie Marèse ) on the street. Maurice protects Lulu and brings her home. Lulu, who is a prostitute, tells the naive Maurice that Dédé is her brother, but Dédé is actually her pimp. Maurice rents an apartment for Lulu and she becomes his mistress. Soon he brings his paintings to the apartment, since his wife Adèle intends to throw them away. But Dédé sells
126-465: Is a 1931 French film by director Jean Renoir . It is the second sound film by the director and the twelfth film of his career. The film is based on the eponymous story "La Chienne" by Georges de La Fouchardière . The literal English translation of the film's title is "The Bitch", although the movie was never released under this title. It is often referred to in English as Isn't Life a Bitch? The film
147-498: The 70th Berlin International Film Festival in 2020. The award was first presented in 1956 and can be for lead or supporting roles. The prize was not awarded on three occasions (1969, 1973, and 1974). In 1970, no awards were given as the festival was called off mid-way due to the controversy over the official selection film, o.k. by Michael Verhoeven , which led to the resignation of the international jury. In 2011,
168-606: The 71st Berlin International Film Festival , the award was replaced with two gender-neutral categories: the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance and the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance . At the 6th Berlin International Film Festival held in 1956, Burt Lancaster was the first winner of this award for his performance in Trapeze , and Elio Germano was the last winner in this category, for his role in Hidden Away at
189-411: The 1930s, Simon's theatrical career rose to prominence with performances in works by Shakespeare , Bernard Shaw , Pirandello , Oscar Wilde , Bourdet, and Henri Bernstein . However, it was film that brought him stardom and international recognition. Simon's first film appearance was in the 1925 silent film, Feu Mathias Pascal , adapted from a Pirandello novel and directed by Marcel L'Herbier . In
210-594: The 1950s, Simon reined in his activities following an accident involving a makeup dye that left part of his face and body paralyzed. In 1967, he won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 17th Berlin International Film Festival for his role in The Two of Us . He died at 80 years of age from a pulmonary embolism and is buried in the Grand-Lancy Cemetery of Geneva , next to his parents. Simon would say that he preferred "living with animals than humans". He lived for
231-579: The Country ) by M6 Vidéo on both Blu-ray and DVD in France on 10 November 2015. La Chienne was released in North America on LaserDisc in 1989 by Image Entertainment as part of the "CinemaDisc Collection". The film was also released on VHS by Kino International on 5 February 2002, which includes Partie de campagne as an extra. On 14 June 2016 American video-distribution company The Criterion Collection released La Chienne , newly restored through
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#1732852347215252-558: The company in 1923 to become a light comedy actor in plays by Tristan Bernard , Marcel Achard and Yves Mirande . Achard presented him to Charles Dullin , in whose company he acted in Je ne vous aime pas with Valentine Tessier. Louis Jouvet , who had replaced Pitoëff, hired Simon at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées. Simon then gave a successful performance in Archard's Jean de la Lune as Cloclo. In
273-459: The grave. He threatened Renoir with a gun, saying that the death of Marèse was all his fault. "Kill me if you like", responded Renoir, "but I have made the film". On 23 October 2003 La Chienne was released on DVD in France by Opening Distribution , along with Renoir's On purge bébé (1931), Tire-au-flanc (1928), and Catherine (1924), as part of a box set. The film was later released together with Renoir's Partie de campagne ( A Day in
294-425: The only reason she stayed with him was his money. Maurice attacks her with a knife and leaves the apartment with no witnesses. Dédé arrives moments later and discovers Lulu's body. Dédé is blamed for Lulu's death owing to his reputation, and he is executed. Maurice becomes a vagrant. In the film Michel Simon falls in love with Janie Marèse, and he did off-screen as well, while Marèse fell for Georges Flamant, who plays
315-514: The paintings to an art dealer for a large amount, telling the dealer that Lulu had painted them using the alias Clara Wood. When Maurice stumbles upon Adèle's former husband who was supposedly killed in the War, he plots a scheme to get rid of Adèle. He succeeds in his intent, only to discover Lulu and Dédé in bed during the night. Shocked, he leaves, but returns in the morning to talk to Lulu. She confesses that she loves Dédé and humiliates Maurice, saying that
336-433: The pimp. Renoir and producer Pierre Braunberger had encouraged the relationship between Flamant and Marèse in order to get the fullest conviction into their performances ( La Chienne was Flamant's first acting experience). After the film had been completed Flamant, who could barely drive, took Marèse for a drive, crashed the car and she was killed. At the funeral Michel Simon fainted and had to be supported as he walked past
357-728: The same year, he starred in the modestly budgeted The Vocation of André Carel , directed by Jean Choux . As the silent era ended, he appeared in Carl Theodor Dreyer 's The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928). Simon's film career was boosted with the advent of talking pictures. People remarked that his elocution and gravelly voice were as original as his appearance. These features were exploited by notable 1930s French directors, including Jean Renoir ( La Chienne , Boudu Saved From Drowning ), Jean Vigo ( L'Atalante ) and Marcel Carné ( Port of Shadows , Bizarre, Bizarre ). He appeared in 55 plays from 1920 to 1965, and 101 from 1965 to 1975. In
378-641: The world’. Simon was born on 9 April 1895 in Geneva , Switzerland to Joseph Simon, a pork butcher from Villingen (Baden) , and Véronique Burnat. He left his family and moved to Paris, where he first lived at the Hotel Renaissance, Saint-Martin Street, then in Montmartre . He worked many different jobs to survive, such as giving boxing lessons and peddling smuggled lighters. His career began modestly in 1912, working as
399-560: Was illustrated by Blutch . Silver Bear for Best Actor The Silver Bear for Best Actor ( German : Silberner Bär/Bester Darsteller ) was an award presented at the Berlin International Film Festival from 1956 to 2020. It was given to an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance and was chosen by the International Jury from the films in the Competition slate at the festival. Beginning with
420-646: Was inspired to become an actor himself. In 1920 he made his first brief appearance on stage, with Pitoëff's company, speaking three lines in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure . He also worked at this time as the company's photographer. One of his early successes was a supporting role in George Bernard Shaw 's Androcles and the Lion . In 1922, Pitoëff's company moved to Paris at the Comédie des Champs-Élysées . Simon quit
441-470: Was remade by Fritz Lang in the United States as Scarlet Street (1945). La Chienne was released by The Criterion Collection on both Blu-ray and DVD, newly restored in 4K , on 14 June 2016. Maurice Legrand ( Michel Simon ), a meek cashier and aspirant painter, is miserably married to Adèle, an abusive woman who mistreats him. After a celebration in the company where he works, Maurice stumbles upon
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