Jean de Létraz, pen name of Jean Félix Deletraz, (23 February 1897 - 3 June 1954) was a French playwright, spécialising in

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 ...

, who authored nearly 118 plays, among which the most famous is ''Bichon'' written in 1935.

Biography

His first of more than 100 plays was ''Opium'', a

one-act play A one-act play is a play that has only one act, as distinct from plays that occur over several acts. One-act plays may consist of one or more scenes. The 20-40 minute play has emerged as a popular subgenre of the one-act play, especially in wri ...

starring Sarah Bernhardt during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. As well as ''Bichon'' (1935), other popular plays of his included ''On demande un ménage'' (1942), ''Descendez, on vous demande'' (1946), ''Moumou'' (1944) and ''La Fessée'' (1936). He was also a screenwriter and a dialoguist. A good number of his plays have been adapted to film. From 1942 until his death, he was managing director of the

Théâtre du Palais-Royal The Théâtre du Palais-Royal () is a 750-seat Parisian theatre at 38 rue de Montpensier, located at the northwest corner of the Palais-Royal in the Galerie de Montpensier at its intersection with the Galerie de Beaujolais. Brief history ...

where he directed both his own plays and others. He was also a vice-president of a Paris theatre managers' organization. His wife, Simone, took over the managing of the theatre up to 1965 and staged some of his posthumous works.

Novels

* ''Nicole s'éveille'' (with Suzette Desty, 1926) * ''Nicole s'égare'' (with Suzette Desty, 1926/27) * ''Un homme... deux femmes'' (with Suzette Desty, 1927) * ''Douze Nuits d'amour'' (1927) * ''Nicole s'abrite'' (with Suzette Desty, 1928) * ''Un couple passa...'' (1929) * ''La jeune fille et les amants'' (1930) * ''...tu m'aimes?'' (1932)

Works in the theatre

Adapted

* 1931 : ''Chauffeur Antoinette'', comedy in 4 acts by

Robert Blum Robert Blum (10 November 1807 – 9 November 1848) was a German democratic politician, publicist, poet, publisher, revolutionist and member of the National Assembly of 1848. In his fight for a strong, unified Germany he opposed ethnocentrism a ...

, based on a novel by Jean de Létraz and Suzette DestyCatalog of Copyright Entries
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Author

* 1934 : ''Mitzi-Moutzou'', opérette in 3 acts,

Théâtre des Capucines The Théâtre des Capucines was a former theatre on the boulevard des Capucines in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. Built in 1889 by architect Édouard-Jean Niermans, it was taken over by two brothers, Émile Isola and Vincent Isola, in 1892 ...

, 31 March * 1935 : ''Bichon'', three act comedy,

Théâtre de la Michodière The Théâtre de la Michodière is a theatre building and performing arts venue, located at 4 bis, in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. Built by in 1925 in Art Deco style, it has a tradition of showing boulevard theatre. History On the si ...

, 3 May * 1936 : ''La Fessée'',

Théâtre de Paris The Théâtre de Paris is a theatre located at 15, rue Blanche in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. It includes a second smaller venue, the Petit Théâtre de Paris. History The first theatre on the site was built by the Duke of Richelieu in 1730. ...

* 1939 : ''La Poule et le chasseur'',

* 1940 : ''La Familiale'', Théâtre de la Michodière with

François Périer François Périer (born François Pillu; 10 November 1919 – 29 June 2002), was a French actor renowned for his expressiveness and diversity of roles. He made over 110 film and TV appearances between 1938 and 1996, with notable excursion into ...

* 1942 : ''On demande un ménage'', 3 act comedy,

, 22 October * 1942 : ''Le Fantôme de Madame'',

Théâtre Saint-Georges The Théâtre Saint-Georges is a theatre in the French capital Paris, located on the Rue Saint-Georges from which it takes its name. Designed by the architect Charles Siclis,Stoddard p.88 it was constructed on the site of a former mansion and ope ...

, November * 1943 : ''La Dame de minuit'',

Apollo Apollo, grc, Ἀπόλλωνος, Apóllōnos, label=genitive , ; , grc-dor, Ἀπέλλων, Apéllōn, ; grc, Ἀπείλων, Apeílōn, label= Arcadocypriot Greek, ; grc-aeo, Ἄπλουν, Áploun, la, Apollō, la, Apollinis, label ...

, May * 1943 : ''Épousez-nous, monsieur'', 3 act play, Théâtre Michel, 21 December * 1944 : ''Moumou'',

, 24 May * 1946 : ''Descendez, on vous demande'', comedy in 3 acts,

, 16 March * 1947 : ''Et vive la liberté'', play in 3 acts,

Théâtre des Variétés The Théâtre des Variétés is a theatre and "salle de spectacles" at 7–8, boulevard Montmartre, 2nd arrondissement, in Paris. It was declared a monument historique in 1974. History It owes its creation to the theatre director Mademoiselle ...

, 19 April * 1947 : ''Une nuit chez vous, Madame !'',

, 9 May * 1947 : ''Chasse gardée'', play in 3 acts,

, 9 May * 1948 : ''L'Extravagante Théodora'',

, 26 May * 1949 : ''Le Voyage à trois'',

* 1949 : ''Nous avons tous fait la même chose'', Théâtre de la Potinière, 26 February * 1950 : ''Les Femmes de Loth'',

, March * 1951 : ''Une nuit à Megève'', Théâtre Michel, December * 1952 : ''Monsieur de Panama'',

, 6 December * 1953 : ''La Pucelle d'Auteuil'',

* 1955 : ''Elle est folle, Carole'', directed by Simone de Létraz,

Theatre director

* 1947 : ''Et vive la liberté'' by Jean de Létraz,

* 1948 : ''L'Extravagante Théodora'' by Jean de Létraz,

* 1949 : ''Le Voyage à trois'' by Jean de Létraz,

* 1953 : ''Occupe-toi d'mon minimum'' by Paul Van Stalle, Théâtre du Palais-Royal * 1953 : ''La Pucelle d'Auteuil'' by Jean de Létraz, Théâtre du Palais-Royal * 1953 : ''... La Mariée en a deux !'' by Jean de Létraz, Théâtre du Palais-Royal * 1957 : ''La Pucelle d'Auteuil'' by Jean de Létraz,

Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique The Théâtre de l’Ambigu-Comique (, literally, Theatre of the Comic-Ambiguity), a former Parisian theatre, was founded in 1769 on the boulevard du Temple immediately adjacent to the Théâtre de Nicolet. It was rebuilt in 1770 and 1786, but in ...

* 1958 : ''Les Pieds au mur'' by

Jean Guitton Jean Guitton (August 18, 1901 – March 21, 1999) was a French Catholic philosopher and theologian. Biography Born in Saint-Étienne, Loire in August 1901, he studied at the Lycée du Parc in Lyon and was accepted at the École Normale Sup� ...

, Théâtre du Palais-Royal ;Operetta * ''La Belle Saison'', music by Jean Delettre

Filmography

*', directed by

Herbert Selpin Herbert Selpin (29 May 1904 – 1 August 1942) was a German film director and screenwriter of light entertainment during the 1930s and 1940s. He is best known for his final film, the partly suppressed ''Titanic'', during the production of which h ...

(German, 1932, based on the play ''Chauffeur Antoinette'') **''

The Love Contract ''The Love Contract'' is a 1932 British musical film directed by Herbert Selpin and starring Winifred Shotter, Owen Nares and Sunday Wilshin. The screenplay concerns a young woman who becomes the driver of a wealthy stockbroker who lost her f ...

'', directed by

(English, 1932, based on the play ''Chauffeur Antoinette'') **', directed by

(French, 1932, based on the play ''Chauffeur Antoinette'') *''Fräulein Liselott'', directed by

Johannes Guter Johannes Guter (born Jānis Gūters; 25 April 1882 – 18 March 1962) was a Latvians, Latvian-born German filmmaker, screenwriter, and occasional film producer. Although most of his work is now lost, he is considered a pioneer of German silent cin ...

(German, 1934, based on the play ''Glück im Haus'') *''Bichon'', directed by

Fernand Rivers Fernand Rivers (born François Large, 6 September 1879, Saint-Lager - 12 September 1960) was a French actor, screenwriter, film producer and director. He was the brother of the actor Rivers Cadet. Partial filmography Director * '' The Ironmaster' ...

(French, 1936, based on the play ''Bichon'') *', directed by

Gideon Wahlberg Gideon Wahlberg (18 June 1890 – 3 May 1948) was a Swedish actor, screenwriter, film director and theater manager. Wahlberg directed six films including '' South of the Highway'' (1936). Wahlberg was the theater manager of the Arbisteatern in ...

and John Lindlöf (Swedish, 1937, based on the play ''Bichon'') *', directed by Pierre Caron (French, 1937, based on the play ''La Fessée'') *'' Papà per una notte'', directed by

Mario Bonnard Mario Bonnard (24 December 1889 – 22 March 1965) was an Italian actor and film director. Bonnard was born and died in Rome. He began his cinematic career as an actor becoming a popular romantic lead in numerous silent films made before World ...

(Italian, 1939, based on the play ''Bichon'') *'' Bajó un ángel del cielo'', directed by

Luis César Amadori Luis César Amadori (28 May 1902 in Pescara, Abruzzi, Kingdom of Italy, Italy – 5 June 1977 in Buenos Aires) was an Italian - Argentina, Argentine film director and screenwriter and one of the most influential directors in the Cinema of Argen ...

(Spanish, 1942, based on the play ''Bichon'') *'' Frederica'', directed by Jean Boyer (French, 1942, based on the play ''Épousez-nous, Monsieur'') *''

Adrien Adrien is a given name and surname, and the French language, French spelling for the name Adrian. It is also the grammatical gender, masculine form of the grammatical gender, feminine name Adrienne. It may refer to: People Given name * Adrien Auz ...

'', directed by

Fernandel Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin (8 May 1903 – 26 February 1971), better known as Fernandel, was a French actor and singer. Born near Marseille, France, to Désirée Bedouin and Denis Contandin, originating in Perosa Argentina, an Occitan t ...

(French, 1943, based on a play by Jean de Létraz) *', directed by

Maurice Cam Maurice Cam (1901–1974) was a French film director. He directed fourteen films between 1939 and 1967 as well as working as assistant director and other various jobs in the film industry. Cam was originally an illustrator, who worked on film po ...

(French, 1946, based on the play ''On demande un ménage'') *''Bichon'', directed by

René Jayet René Jayet (20 May 1906 – 31 October 1953) was a French film director and producer. He made his debut in 1928 with ', starring Camille Bardou among others. Followed '' Des quintuplés au pensionnat'', '' Moumou'', '' Les Aventuriers de l'air' ...

(French, 1948, based on the play ''Bichon'') *', directed by (French, 1950, based on the play ''Nous avons tous fait la même chose'') *', directed by Henri Lepage (French, 1950, based on the play ''L'Extravagante Théodora'') *', directed by Jean-Paul Paulin (French, 1950, based on the play ''Le Voyage à trois'') *'' Descendez, on vous demande'', directed by

Jean Laviron Jean Laviron (26 April 1915, in Paris – 15 February 1987, in Fresneaux-Montchevreuil) was a French film director and screenwriter. Filmography Director * 1951 : '' Un amour de parapluie'' * 1951 : '' Come Down, Someone Wants You'' * 1 ...

(French, 1951, based on the play ''Descendez, on vous demande'') *''

Moumou ''Moumou'' is a 1951 French comedy film directed by René Jayet and starring Robert Murzeau, Nathalie Nattier and Jeannette Batti.Rège p.534 It was adapted by Jean de Letraz from his own 1944 play of the same title. The film's sets were designe ...

'', directed by

(French, 1951, based on the play ''Moumou'') *', directed by

Raoul André Raoul André (24 May 1916 in Rabat (Morocco) - 4 November 1992) was a French director and screenwriter, He was married to actress Louise Carletti (December 1955), and he is the father of Ariane Carletti. Filmography * '' The Village of Wrath ...

(French, 1953, based on the play ''Une nuit à Megève'') *', directed by Hans Richter (German, 1956, based on the play ''Bichon'')

Screenwriter

* 1931 : '' Y'en a pas deux comme Angélique'', directed by

Roger Lion Roger Lion (27 September 1882 – 27 October 1934) was a French film director and screenwriter. Filmographie * 1912 : ''L'Agence Cacahouète'' * 1914 : ''La Petite Bretonne'' * 1915 : ''À qui la femme?'' * 1916 : ''Sacré Joseph'' * 1916 ...

* 1931 : ''Le Lit conjugal'', directed by

* 1932 : ''

The Triangle of Fire ''The Triangle of Fire'' (French: ''Le triangle de feu'') is a 1932 French-German crime film directed by Edmond T. Gréville and Johannes Guter and starring Jean Angelo, André Roanne and Elisabeth Pinajeff.Crisp p.396 Cast * Jean Angelo as L ...

'', directed by

Edmond T. Gréville Edmond T. Gréville (born Edmond Gréville Thonger; 20 June 1906 – 26 May 1966) was a French film director and screenwriter. He was married to the actress Vanda Gréville. Career Gréville began his career as a film journalist and critic. ...

* 1938 : ''Le Monsieur de cinq heures'', directed by Pierre Caron

Television

* ' : **1969 : ''Bichon'' **1978 : ''La Fessée'' **1979 : ''Une nuit chez vous Madame''

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Letraz, Jean de Theatre directors from Paris 20th-century French dramatists and playwrights French male screenwriters 20th-century French screenwriters French male stage actors French male film actors Writers from Paris 1897 births 1954 deaths 20th-century French male writers