Anne Chevalier (also known as Reri; 1912–1977) was a

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

- Tahitanian actress, singer and dancer.

Early life

Anna Irma Ruahrei Chevalier, born in 1912, was the seventh child to a Frenchman Laurence Chevalier and his Polynesian wife. She received education from a Catholic girls' school at

Papeete Papeete (Tahitian language, Tahitian: ''Papeete'', pronounced ) is the capital city of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of the France, French Republic in the Pacific Ocean. The Communes of France, commune of Papeete is located on the isl ...

. At age 16, Chevalier was spotted by German director

F.W. Murnau Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau (born Friedrich Wilhelm Plumpe; December 28, 1888March 11, 1931) was a German film director, producer and screenwriter. He was greatly influenced by Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Shakespeare and Ibsen plays he had seen at t ...

who was looking for a Polynesian girl to play the lead role in his silent film '' Tabu: A Story of the South Seas'' (1931), whose story revolved around the fate of a couple when the young girl Reri is to be offered as a sacred maiden to Gods.''Tabu'' has been lauded as "one of the last of the great silent films". Chevalier went to the United States for promoting the film and spent nearly a year there, appearing in the 1931 Broadway show of ''

Ziegfeld Follies The ''Ziegfeld Follies'' was a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934 and 1936. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as ''The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air ...

'' and visiting several Hollywood studios. From there, she went to Europe for ''Tabu'' premiere in Berlin and also performed at dance shows in Paris and Warsaw. Chevalier's second film role was opposite

Eugeniusz Bodo Eugeniusz Bodo (born Bohdan Eugène Junod; 28 December 1899 7 October 1943) was a film director, producer, and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the interwar period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film produc ...

in the Polish romantic drama ''

Black Pearl The ''Black Pearl'' (formerly known as the ''Wicked Wench'') is a fictional ship in the ''Pirates of the Caribbean'' film series. In the screenplay, the ''Black Pearl'' is easily recognized by her distinctive black hull and sails. Captained by ...

'' (1934). She played a Tahitian woman who marries a Polish sailor and becomes a dancing sensation in her quest to gain acceptance by her husband's society. Ohio state censor banned the film, citing their policy against interracial marriage. Three years later, she made a brief appearance in

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

's '' The Hurricane'', another film set in the South Seas.

Personal life

During her stay in Europe, Chevalier was romantically involved with her ''Black Pearl'' co-star

. Polish media even referred to her as his wife, but the couple soon separated and Chevalier returned to

Tahiti Tahiti (; Tahitian ; ; previously also known as Otaheite) is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Austr ...

. She died there in 1977.

Filmography

* '' Tabu: A Story of the South Seas'' (1931) * ''

'' (1934) * '' The Hurricane'' (1937)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Chevalier, Anne French Polynesian actresses French Polynesian dancers Polish film actresses American film actresses People from Bora Bora 1912 births 1977 deaths 20th-century American dancers 20th-century American actresses 20th-century French women French dancers