CABARET VILLE MAGAZINE. P276. CONT'D FROM  P275

 MAURICE CHEVALIER, MISTINGUET... AND THEIR TIMES. Cont'd.

 

  Lilly Lamont                                                                                                            Corinne Calvet

Photo: Josephine Baker.

In 1925, Mistinguett left « Le Casino de Paris » and returned with Jacques Charles to « Le Moulin Rouge ». Volterra had to find a high caliber “vedette” to replace Mistinguett. The only obvious choice was Maurice Chevalier. In 1926, Chevalier returned to “Le Casino de Paris” as the sole and principal star of the show. At that time, Mistinguett regained her throne as the queen of Parisian Cabaret at “Le Moulin Rouge”.  She switched quite often between "La Casino de Paris" and "Le Moulin Rouge". She could afford to play hardball, because she was a hot commodity and in constant demand. In that sense, Mistinguett is to be considered as the first French Cabaret Prima Dona! Even, she managed to break her contracts with those two giants to work sometimes and as it pleases her at other establishments such as le "Theatre Mogador", to name one. And this drove Volterra crazy!  In 1929, Volterra had enough. « Le Moulin Rouge » and « Le  « Théâtre Marigny » became a tough competition to beat. He sold “Le Casino de Paris” for nine million Francs. Oscar and Varna Dufrenne became the new proprietors of the Casino. In 1930, Joséphine Baker began her illustrious career at the Casino. She made her débuts in " Paris Qui Remue" which lasted 13 consecutive months. The Parisians began to call her "Reine du Music-Hall" (Queen of the Music-Hall) In 1937, and six year later, Mistinguett returned once again to « Le Casino de Paris ». In 1940, the Nazis closed down the Casino.

Around September 1941, the Germans reopened it. But no French artist was willing to perform at the Casino because it was under the control of the invaders of Paris. Almost all the Parisian artists, singers and entertainers boycotted the Casino; a show of solidarity with the French resistance. Maurice Chevalier was forced to join the Casino. Later on, Mistinguett joined him, and together they collaborated on two shows. But, they made a deal. Each one will star independently and solely in one separate show. So, Maurice Chevalier starred in the first show and Mistinguett in the second. The collaboration lasted until the end of 1941.

Photo: Chevalier and Jerry Lewis in Paris.

 

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