Undoubtedly, this man left a major mark in the history of French cinema. Who knows, perhaps if the great Gabin Jean had not turned into a skilled hypocrite, then he would certainly have been waiting for a brilliant career in the field of an operetta comedian or a chansonnier. He was able to make French cinema more democratic, it became more loyal and respectful of the human person. In his first works, Gabin Jean played a strong-willed man from the people for whom nobility and loyalty is the highest value. By the beginning of the 40s of the last century, the French lyceum began to be perceived by the viewer as a romantic hero, who was subject to the standard melodrama to make a real tragedy. His images corresponded to the “spirit of the times”: horror and fear filled the souls of people in anticipation of fascist aggression, and Gabin Jean was able to convey the whole depth of these feelings. What was his career? Let's consider this question in more detail.
Facts from the biography
Gabin Jean is a native of the French capital. He was born on May 17, 1904. The real name of the future movie star is Jean Alexis Montcorge. His father and mother were cabaret artists. Childhood Jean Gabin, whose filmography includes dozens of vivid roles, spent in the small town of Meriel, located near Paris.
The boy loved to watch boxing and football, but he did not choose an athlete's career. After graduating from a communal school, Jean Alexis Montcorge began his career: he was a courier, then worked as a worker at a railway station. But the young man himself perfectly understood that he was born for another.
The first steps in art
As an eighteen-year-old boy, Jean Gabin enters the troupe of the music hall Foley Berger as an extras. Over time, he begins to play operettas and musical performances, firmly securing the status of “comedian-lovelace”. Then, in his creative career, a break came, as the young man had come to “pay the debt to his homeland.” After military service, Jean Gabin, whose films are still popular, has been working in the Foley-Berger music hall for some time. However, soon the young man decides to conquer show business under his own pseudonym Jean Gabin.
He took on any images that he was offered in the capital's operettas and music halls. The beginner chansonnier over time was able to imitate the voice and convey the manner of performance of the famous pop tenor - Maurice Chevalier. He was invited to the theater troupe, which went on tour in South America and Jean Gabin agrees to this proposal. Upon arrival from abroad, he arranged to work in the Moulin Rouge. Hone his talent and skill, Jean Alexis Montcorge soon becomes a famous lyceum: he began to offer the role of the prestigious temples of Melpomene.
First movie roles
At the age of 24, Jean Gabin made his film debut. However, it should be noted that he took part in "silent" films, so then the viewer did not remember the person as a lyceum. Only in 1930, the young actor played a role in the sound film "To Each His Own." It was she who became a triumph for the lyceum from Paris.
The acting talent was opened by the directors Rene Puyol and Hans Steinhoff.
The actor becomes famous
Initially, the French lyceum received proposals in which he was offered supporting roles. He did not refuse to work with the "masters" of productions - Jacques Turner and Maurice Turner.
Another director, Julien Divivier, helped develop the skill and potential of the lyceum Jean Alexis Montcorge. In 1936, Jean Gabin, films with which the French audience began to like, became the star of the screen. The role of the romantic hero in the military drama “The Battalion of a Foreign Legion” provided him with recognition and audience love. Well, world fame was brought to Gaben in the film “Pepe le Moco” (J. Dividier, 1937) and the military film “The Great Illusion” (J. Renoir, 1937). The second film was a huge success at the box office. Work with maestro Jean Renoir was also fruitful: it brought an even larger army of admirers of the Parisian actor. The film "The Beast Man" (1938), shot based on the work of E. Zola, also became successful for Gaben.
It should be noted and the cooperation of the actor with the famous director Marcel Carne. Films with Jean Gabin, namely: Embankment of the Mists (1938) and The Day Begins (1939) became his hallmark.
Necessary measure
Soon the Second World War came, and Jean Alexis Montcorge was forced to refuse to work in the cinema in the territory occupied by the Nazis. He decides to go to Hollywood with Marlene Dietrich herself. Gabin signs a contract with the American film studio RKO Pictures. However, before the start of the filming process, the actor, who got the main role in the film, demanded that a job in the movie be found for Marlene. The management of the film studio did not agree to this. As a result, filming was discontinued and the contract terminated. In the United States, his career did not work out: having played in two "low-grade" films, namely: "Lunar Tide" (1942) and "Impostor" (1943), he becomes a soldier in the army and, after victory, returns to the country with the rank of commander. He personally participated in the liberation of Paris.
A new round in a career
After the Second World War, a new stage begins in the work of Jean Gabin. He changes his role on the set, preferring to play mature, wise by experience and mundane men.
This, in particular, is about the role of Pierre in the film “At the Walls of Malapagi” (R. Clement, 1948) and the image of the entrepreneur of the theater-variety show in the film “French Cancan” (J. Renoir, 1954).
"Second wind"
Despite the change of image, Jean Gabin did not lose the army of fans previously conquered by hard work. Some film critics predicted the actor the sunset of his career. But that did not happen. His stage partners were Bridget Bordeaux, Lino Ventura, Jeanne Moreau. Alain Delon and Jean Gabin became an excellent acting duet, which was proved by the films: “Sicilian Clan”, “Melody from the Basement” and “Two in the City”. The lyceum from Paris did not at all lose his personality and charisma. He began to play the authoritative fathers of the family, personalities with rich life experience. Confirmation of this is the film “Les Miserables”.
Jean Gabin transforms into the image of Valjean, who served a considerable period of hard labor for stealing a crust of bread. Over the next two decades, the actor will take part in about fifty films, most of which were intended for Gafer Films, a film company that he founded on an equal footing with the lyceum Fernandel.
