Alexandre Bisson (9 April 1848 – 27 January 1912) was a French playwright,

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

creator, and novelist. Born in

Briouze Briouze () is a commune in the Orne department of Normandy in northwestern France. It is considered the capital of the ''pays d'Houlme'' at the western end of the Orne in the Norman bocage. The nearby Grand Hazé marshland is a heritage-listed ar ...

, Orne in

Lower Normandy Lower Normandy (french: Basse-Normandie, ; nrf, Basse-Normaundie) is a former administrative region of France. On 1 January 2016, Lower and Upper Normandy merged becoming one region called Normandy. Geography The region included three departme ...

, he was successful in his native France as well as in the United States. Remembered as a significant creator of Parisian vaudeville, in collaboration with

Edmond Gondinet Edmond Gondinet (7 March 1828 – 19 November 1888) was a French playwright and librettist. This author, nearly forgotten today, produced forty plays of which several were successful. He collaborated with Alphonse Daudet and Eugène Labiche, ...

, Bisson's 1881 three-act comedy ''Un Voyage d'agrément'' was performed at the

Théâtre du Vaudeville The Théâtre du Vaudeville was a theatre company in Paris. It opened on 12 January 1792 on rue de Chartres. Its directors, Piis and Barré, mainly put on "petites pièces mêlées de couplets sur des airs connus", including vaudevilles. Af ...

in Paris. Of his works, Bisson is best remembered for his play ''Madame X'', which was performed in 1910 both in Paris and on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

with Sarah Bernhardt in the leading role. Over the years, the play would be revived for Broadway three times and nine '' Madame X'' motion pictures in several languages have been filmed. The first silent screen adaptation was in 1916 and the latest in 2000. Better-known versions include a 1929

sound In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the ''reception'' of such waves and their ''perception'' b ...

film starring

Ruth Chatterton Ruth Chatterton (December 24, 1892 – November 24, 1961) was an American stage, film, and television actress, aviator and novelist. She was at her most popular in the early to mid-1930s, and in the same era gained prominence as an aviator, ...

and directed by Lionel Barrymore plus the 1966 film starring

Lana Turner Lana Turner ( ; born Julia Jean Turner; February 8, 1921June 29, 1995) was an American actress. Over the course of her nearly 50-year career, she achieved fame as both a pin-up model and a film actress, as well as for her highly publicized pe ...

. In 2006, a musical based on the original play was produced in Chicago. Bisson also adapted the 1910 best-selling Florence Barclay novel, '' The Rosary'' as a three-act play for the Paris stage. Widely acclaimed in the United States, Alexandre Bisson was invited to write about the theatre by ''

The Saturday Evening Post ''The Saturday Evening Post'' is an American magazine, currently published six times a year. It was issued weekly under this title from 1897 until 1963, then every two weeks until 1969. From the 1920s to the 1960s, it was one of the most widely ...

'' and his articles "The Dilemmas of the Theater" and "How the World Contributes to the American Stage" were published in 1912. Alexandre Bisson died in Paris in 1912 at the age of 63.

Selected works for stage

* 1882: ''115, Rue Pigalle'' * 1884: ''Le Député de Bombignac'' (

Comédie-Française The Comédie-Française () or Théâtre-Français () is one of the few state theatres in France. Founded in 1680, it is the oldest active theatre company in the world. Established as a French state-controlled entity in 1995, it is the only state ...

, 28 May 1884)Title page
''Le Député de Bombignac'' * 1886: ''Une Mission délicate'' * 1886: ''Un Conseil judiciaire'' * 1887: ''Ma gouvernante'' * 1888: ''Les Surprises du divorce'' (with

Antony Mars Antony Mars (22 October 1861 – 17 February 1915) was a French playwright Biography After he studied at a high school in Marseille, Antony March became a lawyer's clerk then an employee at the Compagnie des chemins de fer de l'Est. En 1882, ...

) * 1893: ''Le Veglione (le Bal masqué)'') (with

Albert Carré Albert Carré (born Strasbourg 22 June 1852, died Paris 12 December 1938) was a French theatre director, opera director, actor and librettist. He was the nephew of librettist Michel Carré (1821–1872) and cousin of cinema director Michel Carré ...

) * 1895: ''Monsieur le Directeur !'' (with Fabrice Carré) * 1896: ''Disparu !'' * 1897: ''Jalouse'' * 1897: ''La famille Pont-Biquet'' * 1898: ''Feu Toupinel'' (adapted by

William Gillette William Hooker Gillette (July 24, 1853 – April 29, 1937) was an American actor-manager, playwright, and stage-manager in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best remembered for portraying Sherlock Holmes on stage and in a 1916 ...

as '' Mr. Wilkinson's Widows'') * 1898: ''Le Contrôleur des wagons-lits'' * 1900: ''Château historique !'' * 1901: ''Le Bon juge'' * 1907: ''Les Plumes du paon'' * 1908: '' Madame X'' * 1910: ''Nick Carter vs.

Fantômas Fantômas () is a fictional character created by French writers Marcel Allain (1885–1969) and Pierre Souvestre (1874–1914). One of the most popular characters in the history of French crime fiction, Fantômas was created in 1911 and appear ...

'' (with Guillaume Livet) (translated )

Filmography

Madame X Adaptations

*', directed by (Denmark, 1910, short film), starring Oda Nielsen as Jacqueline Floriot *'' Madame X'', directed by

George F. Marion George Francis Marion Sr. (July 16, 1860 – November 30, 1945) was an American film and stage actor and director, known for ''Anna Christie'', both (1923) and (1930), and ''Death from a Distance'' (1935). Marion acted in 35 films between 19 ...

(1916), starring

Dorothy Donnelly Dorothy Agnes Donnelly (January 28, 1876 - January 3, 1928) was an actress, playwright, librettist, producer, and director. After a decade-long acting career that included several notable roles on Broadway, she turned to writing plays, musicals ...

as Jacqueline Floriot *''A névtelen asszony'', directed by

Jenő Janovics Jenő Janovics (8 December 1872 – 16 November 1945) was a Hungarian film director, screenwriter and actor of the silent era. He directed 33 films between 1913 and 1920. He also wrote for 30 films between 1913 and 1918. He was the found ...

(Austria-Hungary, 1918), starring Emília Márkus as Jacqueline Fleuriot *'' Madame X'', directed by

Frank Lloyd Frank William George Lloyd (2 February 1886 – 10 August 1960) was a British-born American film director, actor, scriptwriter, and producer. He was among the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and was its preside ...

(1920), starring

Pauline Frederick Pauline Frederick (born Pauline Beatrice Libbey, August 12, 1883 – September 19, 1938) was an American stage and film actress. Early life Frederick was born Pauline Beatrice Libbey (later changed to Libby) in Boston in 1883 (some sources stat ...

as Jacqueline Fleuriot *'' Madame X'', directed by Lionel Barrymore (1929), starring

as Jacqueline Fleuriot *', directed by Carlos F. Borcosque (Spanish-language, 1931), starring as Jaquelina *'' Madame X'', directed by

Sam Wood Samuel Grosvenor Wood (July 10, 1883 – September 22, 1949) was an American film director and producer who is best known for having directed such Hollywood hits as '' A Night at the Opera'', '' A Day at the Races'', '' Goodbye, Mr. Chips'', '' ...

(1937), starring

Gladys George Gladys George (born Gladys Clare Evans; September 13, 1904 – December 8, 1954) was an American actress of stage and screen. Though nominated for an Academy Award for her leading role in '' Valiant Is the Word for Carrie'' (1936), she spent most ...

as Jacqueline Fleuriot *''

The Trial of Madame X ''The Trial of Madame X'' is a 1948 British drama film directed by Paul England and starring England and Mara Russell-Tavernan. It is based on the 1908 play ''Madame X'' by the French playwright Alexandre Bisson (1848-1912). Plot A woman is th ...

'', directed by Paul England (UK, 1948), starring Mara Russell-Tavernan as Jacqueline *'' Madame X'', directed by Artemio B. Tecson (Philippines, 1952), starring

Alicia Vergel Erlinda Gaerlan Asturias-Aguilar (June 7, 1927 – May 20, 1992), popularity known as Alicia Vergel, was a Filipino people, Filipina actress noted for her roles as fighting women and amazons and, like Norma Blancaflor, for her heart-shaped face. ...

*'' Madame X'', directed by

Orestis Laskos Orestis Laskos ( el, Ορέστης Λάσκος; 11 November 1907 – 17 October 1992) was a Greek film director, screenwriter and actor. He directed 55 films between 1931 and 1971. He also wrote scripts for 24 films between 1929 and 1971. ...

(Greece, 1954), starring

Cybele Cybele ( ; Phrygian language, Phrygian: ''Matar Kubileya/Kubeleya'' "Kubileya/Kubeleya Mother", perhaps "Mountain Mother"; Lydian language, Lydian ''Kuvava''; el, Κυβέλη ''Kybele'', ''Kybebe'', ''Kybelis'') is an Anatolian mother godde ...

as Lina Flerianos *'' Madame X'', directed by

Julián Soler Julián Soler (born Julián Díaz Pavia; 17 February 1907 – 5 May 1977) was a Mexican film director, actor, and screenwriter of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. In his career spanning half a century, Soler received two Ariel Award nominations ...

(Mexico, 1955), starring

Libertad Lamarque Libertad Lamarque Bouza (; 24 November 1908 – 12 December 2000) was a Mexican-Argentine actress and singer, one of the icons of the Golden Age of Argentine and Mexican cinema. She achieved fame throughout Latin America, and became known as " ...

as Adriana *''

The Unknown Woman ''The Unknown Woman'' ( it, La sconosciuta, ; also known as ''The Other Woman'') is a 2006 Italian psychological thriller mystery film, directed by Giuseppe Tornatore that depicts a woman alone in a foreign country, haunted by a horrible past. P ...

'', directed by Mahmoud Zulfikar (Egypt, 1959), starring

Shadia Fatma Ahmed Kamal Shaker ( ar, فاطمة أحمد كمال شاكر; 8 February 193128 November 2017), better known by her stage name Shadia ( ar, شادية, ''Shādiyya''), was an Egyptian actress and singer. She was famous for her roles in ...

*'' Madame X'', directed by

David Lowell Rich David Lowell Rich (August 31, 1920 – October 21, 2001) was an American film director and producer. He directed nearly 100 films and TV episodes between 1950 and 1987. He was born in New York City. He began directing on a regular basis in 1 ...

(1966), starring

as Holly Parker *'' Madame X'', directed by

Robert Ellis Miller Robert Ellis Miller (July 18, 1927 – January 27, 2017) was an American film director. Filmography * '' Breaking Point'' (1963) - TV Series * '' Any Wednesday'' (1966) * '' Sweet November'' (1968) * '' The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter'' (1968 ...

(1981, TV film), starring

Tuesday Weld Tuesday Weld (born Susan Ker Weld; August 27, 1943) is an American actress and model. She began acting as a child and progressed to mature roles in the late 1950s. She won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Female Newcomer in 1960. Over t ...

as Holly Richardson

Other Adaptations

*', directed by

Georges Monca Georges Monca ( 23 October 1867 – 26 December 1939) was a French film director. He was extremely prolific, making nearly four hundred films during his career - mainly during the silent era. His shorts ''Rigadin Directeur de Cinéma'' and ''Ri ...

(France, 1912, short film, based on the play ''Les Surprises du divorce'') *''Le Contrôleur des wagons-lits'', directed by

(France, 1913, short film, based on the play ''Le Contrôleur des wagons-lits'') *''Le Bon Juge'', directed by

(France, 1913, short film, based on the play ''Le Bon Juge'') *''Monsieur le directeur'', directed by

(France, 1913, short film, based on the play ''Monsieur le directeur'') *''Le Roi Koko'', directed by

(France, 1913, short film, based on the play ''Le Roi Koko'') *''

Her Beloved Villain ''Her Beloved Villain'' is a lost 1920 American comedy film directed by Sam Wood and written by Alice Eyton. The film stars Wanda Hawley, Ramsey Wallace, Templar Powell, Tully Marshall, Lillian Leighton and Gertrude Claire. The film was rele ...

'', directed by

(1920, based on the play ''Le Veglione ou le Bal masqué'') *''Un viaggio di piacere'', directed by (Italy, 1922, based on the play ''Un voyage d'agrément'') *', directed by

Mario Almirante Mario Almirante (18 February 1890 – 30 September 1964) was an Italian film director and screenwriter active between 1920 and 1933. His 1927 film '' La bellezza del mondo'' featured an early appearance of Vittorio De Sica. He was the fath ...

(Italy, 1922, based on the play ''Le Contrôleur des wagons-lits'') *', directed by

Guido Brignone Guido Brignone (6 December 1886 – 6 March 1959) was an Italian film director and actor. He was the father of actress Lilla Brignone and younger brother of actress Mercedes Brignone. Brignone was born in Milan, Italy. He was the first Italian ...

(Italy, 1923, based on the play ''Les Surprises du divorce'') *', directed by Henri Desfontaines (France, 1924, based on the play ''Château historique'') *''Monsieur le directeur'', directed by (France, 1925, based on the play ''Monsieur le directeur'') *', directed by

Jean Kemm Jean Kemm (15 May 1874–1939) was a French stage and theater actor and film director. Kemm was born Jules Adolphe Félix Bécheret in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris and died in Paris in 1939. Selected filmography * '' André Cornélis'' (1 ...

(France, 1933, based on the play ''Les Surprises du divorce'') *', directed by Roger Capellani (France, 1934, based on the play ''Feu Toupinel'') *''Der Schlafwagenkontrolleur'', directed by

Richard Eichberg Richard Eichberg (27 October 1888 – 8 May 1952) was a German film director and producer. He directed 87 films between 1915 and 1949. He also produced 77 films between 1915 and 1950. He was born in Berlin, Germany and died in Munich, Germ ...

(Germany, 1935, based on the play ''Le Contrôleur des wagons-lits'') **', directed by

(France, 1935, based on the play ''Le Contrôleur des wagons-lits'') *', directed by Christian-Jaque (France, 1935, based on the play ''La Famille Pont-Biquet'') *', directed by (Sweden, 1936, based on the play ''Les Surprises du divorce'') *', directed by Henri Chomette (France, 1938, based on the play ''Jalouse'') *', directed by

(Italy, 1939, based on the play ''Les Surprises du divorce'') *', directed by

Luis Bayón Herrera Luis Bayón Herrera (23 September 1889 – 30 March 1956) was a Spanish film director and screenwriter who worked in Argentine film of the 1940s and 1950s. He was "one of the most important directors of the golden age of Argentine cinema". He ...

(Argentina, 1940) *', directed by (Argentina, 1943, based on the play ''Les Surprises du divorce'') *', directed by Gilles Grangier (France, 1950, based on the play ''Château historique'')

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bisson, Alexandre 1848 births 1912 deaths People from Orne 19th-century French dramatists and playwrights 19th-century French novelists 20th-century French novelists 20th-century French male writers French male novelists 19th-century French male writers