Paul Meurisse (; 21 December 1912 – 19 January 1979) was a French actor who appeared in over 60 films and many stage productions. Meurisse was noted for the elegance of his acting style, and for his versatility. He was equally able to play comedic and serious dramatic roles. His screen roles ranged from the droll and drily humorous to the menacing and disturbing. His most celebrated role was that of the sadistic and vindictive headmaster in the 1955 film '' Les Diaboliques''.

Early life and career

Meurisse was born in

Dunkirk Dunkirk (french: Dunkerque ; vls, label=French Flemish, Duunkerke; nl, Duinkerke(n) ; , ;) is a commune in the department of Nord in northern France.Corsica Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of ...

, to where his bank manager father had been transferred when Meurisse was a small child. After leaving school, Meurisse moved to

Aix-en-Provence Aix-en-Provence (, , ; oc, label= Provençal, Ais de Provença in classical norm, or in Mistralian norm, ; la, Aquae Sextiae), or simply Aix ( medieval Occitan: ''Aics''), is a city and commune in southern France, about north of Marseille. ...

, where he became a solicitor's clerk. But his passion was for the stage, and he acquired evening work in the chorus of

music hall Music hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment that was popular from the early Victorian era, beginning around 1850. It faded away after 1918 as the halls rebranded their entertainment as variety. Perceptions of a distinction in Bri ...

revues A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own duri ...

. In 1936, Meurisse moved to Paris, where he found work in musical theatres and nightclubs, and appeared with performers such as

Marie Dubas Marie Dubas (3 September 1894 – 21 February 1972) was a French music-hall singer, diseuse and comedian. Biography Born in Paris, France, Marie Dubas began her career as a stage actress but became famous as a singer. Using the great Yvette Guilb ...

. He specialised in taking cheerful, upbeat songs and singing them in a comically downbeat, lugubrious fashion. In 1939, Meurisse met singer

Edith Piaf Edith is a feminine given name derived from the Old English words ēad, meaning 'riches or blessed', and is in common usage in this form in English, German, many Scandinavian languages and Dutch. Its French form is Édith. Contractions and vari ...

, and the two became lovers for two years. Piaf, however, did not see a future for Meurisse as a singer, and encouraged him to try acting instead.

Film career

Meurisse first performed in film in ''Vingt-quatre heures de perm'', which was filmed in 1940 but not released until 1945. ''Ne bougez plus'' (1941) was the first of his films to be released. Thereafter he was in steady demand as an actor (in 1948, for example, he was credited in seven films). Meurisse played a wide range of roles, from gangsters (''

Macadam Macadam is a type of road construction, pioneered by Scottish engineer John Loudon McAdam around 1820, in which crushed stone is placed in shallow, convex layers and compacted thoroughly. A binding layer of stone dust (crushed stone from the o ...

'', ''Impasse des Deux-Anges'') and policemen (''Inspecteur Sergil'', ''Le Dessous des cartes''), to comedy (the ''Monocle'' films) and historical (''La Castiglione'', ''L'Affaire des poisons''). The quality of the films was varied, but Meurisse's versatility brought him recognition, with his performance often considered the best part of an otherwise mediocre effort. Meurisse's most famous role was that of Michel Delasalle in

Henri-Georges Clouzot Henri-Georges Clouzot (; 20 November 1907 – 12 January 1977) was a French film director, screenwriter and producer. He is best remembered for his work in the thriller film genre, having directed ''The Wages of Fear'' and '' Les Diaboliques'', ...

's 1955 thriller '' Les Diaboliques'', with

Simone Signoret Simone Signoret (; born Simone Henriette Charlotte Kaminker; 25 March 1921 – 30 September 1985) was a French actress. She received various accolades, including an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, a César Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a ...

and

Véra Clouzot Véra Gibson-Amado, known professionally as Véra Clouzot, (30 December 1913 – 15 December 1960) was a Brazilian-France, French film actress and screenwriter. She is known for playing Linda in ''The Wages of Fear'' (1953), Christina Delas ...

. In a thoroughly unsympathetic part, Meurisse was compelling. The film, with its dark, claustrophobic atmosphere and celebrated

twist ending Twist may refer to: In arts and entertainment Film, television, and stage * ''Twist'' (2003 film), a 2003 independent film loosely based on Charles Dickens's novel ''Oliver Twist'' * ''Twist'' (2021 film), a 2021 modern rendition of ''Olive ...

, became an international success. It was among the earliest foreign-language films to be widely distributed in English-speaking markets and is the film for which Meurisse is best known.''Les Diaboliques'', at filmsdefrance.com
/ref> Other of his notable films include

Julien Duvivier Julien Duvivier (; 8 October 1896 – 29 October 1967) was a French film director and screenwriter. He was prominent in French cinema in the years 1930–1960. Amongst his most original films, chiefly notable are ''La Bandera (film), La Bandera'', ...

's inquisitorial and oppressive ''

Marie-Octobre ''Marie-Octobre'' is a 1959 French drama mystery film directed by Julien Duvivier, based on the eponymous novel by Jacques Robert. It is also known as ''Secret Meeting'' The film was remade in 2008 by director Josée Dayan, starring Nathalie Bay ...

'' (1959),

Jean Renoir Jean Renoir (; 15 September 1894 – 12 February 1979) was a French film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and author. As a film director and actor, he made more than forty films from the silent film, silent era to the end of the 1960s. ...

's '' Le Dejeuner sur l'herbe'' (1959), Clouzot's

courtroom drama A legal drama is a genre of film and television that generally focuses on narratives regarding legal practice and the justice system. The American Film Institute (AFI) defines "courtroom drama" as a genre of film in which a system of justice play ...

'' La Vérité'' (1960) and Melville's crime thriller '' Le deuxième souffle'' (1966). Meurisse made three appearances as Commandant Théobald Dromard, aka "The Monocle", in the

Eurospy Eurospy film, or Spaghetti spy film (when referring to Italian-produced films in the genre), is a genre of spy films produced in Europe, especially in Italy, France, and Spain, that either sincerely imitated or else parodied the British James Bo ...

comedies ''Le monocle noir'' (1961), ''L'oeil du monocle'' (1962), and ''Le monocle rit jaune'' (1964). The 1969 film ''

L'Armée des ombres ''Army of Shadows'' (french: L'Armée des ombres; it, L'armata degli eroi) is a 1969 World War II suspense-drama film written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, and starring Lino Ventura, Simone Signoret, Paul Meurisse and Jean-Pierre Casse ...

'', in which Meurisse had a leading role, was released in 2006 on DVD, under the title ''Army of Shadows'', in the UK and US, to critical acclaim.

Stage career

Meurisse appeared in many stage productions, in plays by both contemporary French authors such as

Marcel Achard Marcel Achard (5 July 1899 – 4 September 1974) was a French playwright and screenwriter whose popular sentimental comedies Garzanti p. 3 maintained his position as a highly recognizable name in his country's theatrical and literary circles ...

and

Jean Anouilh Jean Marie Lucien Pierre Anouilh (; 23 June 1910 – 3 October 1987) was a French dramatist whose career spanned five decades. Though his work ranged from high drama to absurdist farce, Anouilh is best known for his 1944 play ''Antigone'', an ad ...

to classical English playwrights

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

and

George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from ...

. In the mid-1950s he was a sociétaire of the

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 ...

Private life

Meurisse married three times: to Michèle Alfa (1942, divorced);

Micheline Cheirel Micheline Cheirel (born Micheline Truyen; 12 April 1917 – 25 October 2002) was a 20th-century French actress, active from 1934 to 1947. She was the niece of the actress Jeanne Cheirel. Personal life She married British actor John Loder (actor ...

(1951, divorced; she was previously married to British actor John Loder); and

Micheline Gary Christiane Micheline Guary (1 October 1925 – 25 December 2022), better known as Micheline Gary, was a French film and stage actress who was active in the French film industry throughout the 1950s. In 1960 she married the actor Paul Meurisse. G ...

(1960 to his death).

Death

Meurisse suffered from asthma for much of his life. He was taken ill following a performance at the

Théâtre Hébertot Théâtre Hébertot () is a theatre at 78, boulevard des Batignolles, in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, France. History The theatre, completed in 1838 and opening as the Théâtre des Batignolles, was later renamed Théâtre des Arts in 190 ...

in Paris. He died at age 66 on 19 January 1979 of an

asthma Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, cou ...

-related

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

Filmography

* 1941: ''Ne bougez plus'' (dir. Pierre Caron) – Hector * 1941: '' Montmartre-sur-Seine'' (dir. Georges Lacombe) – Paul Mariol * 1942: ''Défense d'aimer'' (dir. Richard Pottier) – Maxime Gavard * 1942: ''Mariage d'amour '' (dir.

Henri Decoin Henri Decoin (18 March 1890 – 4 July 1969) was a French film director and screenwriter, who directed more than 50 films between 1933 and 1964. He was also a swimmer who won the national title in 1911 and held the national record in the 500 ...

) – Robert * 1943: ''La Ferme aux loups'' (dir. Richard Pottier) – Furet * 1945: ''Vingt-quatre heures de perm'' (dir. Maurice Cloche) * 1945: ''Marie la Misère'' (dir.

Jacques de Baroncelli Jacques de Baroncelli (25 June 1881 – 12 January 1951) was a French film director best known for his silent films from 1915 to the late 1930s. He came from a Florence, Florentine family who had settled in Provence in the 15th century, occupying ...

) – Edouard * 1946: ''L'Insaisissable Frédéric'' (dir. Richard Pottier) – B.B. / Richard Fernay * 1946: ''

'' (dir. Marcel Blistène) – Victor Menard * 1947: ''Inspecteur Sergil'' (dir. Jacques Daroy) – Inspecteur Pierre Sergil * 1947: ''Monsieur Chasse'' (dir.

Willy Rozier Willy Rozier (27 June 1901 – 29 May 1983) was a French actor, film director, film producer and screenwriter who also used the pseudonym Xavier Vallier. Filmography Director * ''Les Monts en flammes'' (1931) * ''Calais-Dover'' (1931) * ''Le ...

) – Moricet * 1947: '' Bethsabée'' (dir.

Léonide Moguy Léonide Moguy (14 July 1899 – 21 April 1976) was a Ukrainian, French and Italian film director, screenwriter and film editor. Moguy was born Leonid Mohylevskyi () in Odesa, Russian Empire in 1899 in a Jewish family. He lived in Soviet Ukrai ...

) – Le capitaine Lucien Sommervill – l'ex amant d'Arabella * 1947: ''La Fleur de l'âge'' (dir.

Marcel Carné Marcel Albert Carné (; 18 August 1906 – 31 October 1996) was a French film director. A key figure in the poetic realism movement, Carné's best known films include '' Port of Shadows'' (1938), ''Le Jour Se Lève'' (1939), '' The Devil's Envoys ...

) (uncompleted) * 1948: ''La Dame d'onze heures'' (dir. Jean-Devaivre) – Stanislas-Octave Seminario dit 'SOS' * 1948: ''Manù il contrabbandiere'' (dir. Lucio De Caro) – Ispettore Nansen * 1948: ''Le

Colonel Durand ''Colonel Durand'' (French: ''Le colonel Durand'') is a 1948 French historical drama film directed by René Chanas and starring Paul Meurisse, Michèle Martin and Louis Seigner.Rège p.204 Cast * Paul Meurisse as Le colonel d'empire Gérard Du ...

'' (dir.

René Chanas René Chanas, real name René Lindecker (13 September 1913 - 9 July 1990) was a French film director, screenwriter, and film producer. Filmography Director * 1945: '' The Last Judgment'' * 1946: ' * 1948: ' * 1948: ' * 1949: ' * 1951: ' (f ...

) – Le colonel d'empire Gérard Durand * 1948: '' Le Dessous des cartes'' (dir.

André Cayatte André Cayatte (3 February 1909, in Carcassonne – 6 February 1989, in Paris) was a French filmmaker, writer and lawyer, who became known for his films centering on themes of crime, justice, and moral responsibility. Cayatte began his directoral ...

) – Inspecteur Nansen * 1948: ''

Dilemma of Two Angels ''Dilemma of Two Angels'' (French: ''Impasse des Deux Anges'') is a 1948 French comedy crime film directed by Maurice Tourneur and starring Paul Meurisse, Simone Signoret and Marcel Herrand.Waldman p.168 It was the final film directed by Tourneur ...

'' (dir.

Maurice Tourneur Maurice may refer to: People *Saint Maurice (died 287), Roman legionary and Christian martyr *Maurice (emperor) or Flavius Mauricius Tiberius Augustus (539–602), Byzantine emperor *Maurice (bishop of London) (died 1107), Lord Chancellor and Lo ...

) – Jean * 1948: ''Sergil et le dictateur'' (dir. Jacques Daroy) – Inspecteur Sergil * 1948: ''Scandale'' (dir.

René Le Hénaff René Le Hénaff (24 April 1901 – 5 January 2005) was a French film editor and director. As a film editor he collaborated with directors Marcel Carné, René Clair, and Géza von Radványi among others. His three films with Carné in the late ...

) – Steve Richardson * 1949: '' The Red Angel'' (dir.

Jacques Daniel-Norman Jacques Daniel-Norman (real name Joseph Jacques CompèreMaria of the End of the World'' (dir.

Jean Stelli Jean Stelli (6 December 1894 in Lille – 2 February 1975 in Grasse) was a French screenwriter and film director. Selected filmography * ''The Hurricane on the Mountain'' (1922) * ''Gibraltar'' (1938) * ''Cristobal's Gold'' (1940) * '' The Blue V ...

) – Mathias * 1951: ' (dir. Jean Stelli) – William A. Schomberg * 1951: ''Ma femme est formidable'' (dir.

André Hunebelle André Hunebelle (1 September 1896 – 27 November 1985) was a French maître verrier (master glassmaker) and film director. Master Glass Artist After attending polytechnic school for mathematics, he became a decorator, a designer, and then a mas ...

) – Lui-même (uncredited) * 1951: ''Vedettes sans maquillage'' (dir. Jacques Guillon) (documentary) * 1952: '' Sergil chez les filles'' (dir. Jacques Daroy) – Inspecteur Sergil * 1953: ''Je suis un mouchard'' (dir. René Chanas) – Bob Torquella * 1954: ''La contessa di Castiglione '' dir. Georges Combret) – L'empereur Napoléon III * 1955: '' Les Diaboliques'' (dir.

) – Michel Delassalle * 1955: ' (dir. Bernard Borderie) – Mordhom * 1955: '' The Affair of the Poisons'' (dir. Henri Decoin) – L'abbé Etienne Guibourg * 1957: ''Jusqu'au dernier'' (dir. Pierre Billon) – Fredo Ricioni – le chef de la bande * 1957: ''L'Inspecteur aime la bagarre'' (dir. Jean-Devaivre) – L'inspecteur Morice * 1957: ''Les Violents'' (dir. Henri Calef) – Inspecteur Principal Malouvier * 1958: ''Échec au porteur'' (dir. Gilles Grangier) – Le commissaire divisionnaire Varzeilles * 1958: ''Le Septième Ciel'' (dir.

Raymond Bernard Raymond Bernard (10 October 1891 – 12 December 1977) was a French film director and screenwriter whose career spanned more than 40 years. He is best remembered for several large-scale historical productions, including the silent films '' Le Mi ...

) – Manuel Villa * 1959: ''

'' (dir.

) – François Renaud-Picart, industriel * 1959: ''Guinguette'' (dir.

Jean Delannoy Jean Delannoy (12 January 1908 – 18 June 2008) was a French actor, film editor, screenwriter and film director. Biography Although Delannoy was born in a Paris suburb, his family was from Haute-Normandie in the north of France. He was a P ...

) – Le vicomte Edouard de Villancourt * 1959: ''

La Tête contre les murs ''Head Against the Wall'' (french: La Tête contre les murs) is a 1959 French drama film directed by Georges Franju which stars Pierre Brasseur, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Mocky, Anouk Aimée, and Charles Aznavour. Called ''The Keepers'' on its ...

'' (dir.

Georges Franju Georges Franju (; 12 April 1912 – 5 November 1987) was a French filmmaker. He was born in Fougères, Ille-et-Vilaine. Biography Early life Before working in French cinema, Franju held several different jobs. These included working for an i ...

) – Dr. Emery * 1959: '' Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe'' (dir.

) – Etienne Alexis * 1959: ''Simenon'' (dir. Jean-François Hauduroy) (documentary – narrator) * 1960: ''La Française et l'Amour'' (dir.

Henri Verneuil Henri Verneuil (; born Ashot Malakian; 15 October 1920 – 11 January 2002) was a French-Armenian playwright and filmmaker, who made a successful career in France. He was nominated for Oscar and Palme d'Or awards, and won Locarno International Fi ...

) – Jean-Claude Perret (segment "Adultère, L'") * 1960: '' La Vérité'' (dir. Henri-Georges Clouzot) – Maître Éparvier * 1961: ''Le Monocle noir'' (dir.

Georges Lautner Georges Lautner (; 24 January 1926 – 22 November 2013) was a French film director and screenwriter, known primarily for his comedies created in collaboration with screenwriter Michel Audiard. Lautner's ventures into other genres were less ...

) – Le commandant Théobald Dromard dit 'Le Monocle' * 1961: '' Le Jeu de la vérité'' (dir.

Robert Hossein Robert Hossein (30 December 1927 – 31 December 2020) was a French film actor, director, and writer. He directed the 1982 adaptation of ''Les Misérables'' and appeared in ''Vice and Virtue'', '' Le Casse'', ''Les Uns et les Autres'' and ''Ve ...

) – Portrant * 1961: ''Les Nouveaux aristocrates'' (dir. Francis Rigaud) – Le père Philippe de Maubrun * 1962: ''Carillons sans joie'' (dir. Charles Brabant) – Le capitaine de Lambérieux * 1962: '' L'Œil du Monocle'' (dir. Georges Lautner) – Le commandant Théobald Dromard, dit "Le Monocle" * 1962: ''Du mouron pour les petits oiseaux'' (dir. Marcel Carné) – Armand Lodet * 1963: '' Méfiez-vous, mesdames'' (dir. André Hunebelle) – Charles Rouvier * 1963: ''

Les Tontons flingueurs ''Les Tontons flingueurs'' ('' en, Crooks in Clover'', also known as ''Monsieur Gangster'', literally ''Gun-toting Uncles'') is a 1963 French-Italian-West German crime comedy film with French dialogue, directed by Georges Lautner. It is an adapt ...

'' (dir. Georges Lautner) – Un passant distingué (uncredited) * 1963: ''L'assassin connaît la musique...'' (dir.

Pierre Chenal Pierre Chenal (; 5 December 1904 – 23 December 1990) was a French director and screenwriter who flourished in the 1930s. He was married to Czech-born French film actress Florence Marly from 1937 to 1955. Work Chenal was best known for film no ...

) – Lionel Fribourg * 1964: ''

Le Monocle rit jaune ''The Monocle Laughs'' or ''The Monocle'' (French: ''Le monocle rit jaune'', Italian:''L'ispettore spara a vista'') is a 1964 French-Italian comedy thriller film directed by Georges Lautner and starring Paul Meurisse, Marcel Dalio and Olivier Des ...

'' (dir. Georges Lautner) – Le commandant Théobald Dromard dit'Le Monocle' * 1965: '' Moi et les hommes de quarante ans'' (dir. Jacques Pinoteau) – Alexandre Dumourier * 1965: ''Le Majordome'' (dir.

) – Léopold * 1965: ''La Grosse Caisse'' (dir. Alex Joffé) – Paul Filippi, le gangster * 1965: ''Quand passent les faisans'' (dir.

Édouard Molinaro Édouard Molinaro (13 May 1928 – 7 December 2013) was a French film director and screenwriter. Biography He was born in Bordeaux, Gironde. He is best known for his comedies with Louis de Funès (''Oscar'', ''Hibernatus''), '' My Uncle Benja ...

) – Alexandre Larsan-Bellac * 1966: ' (dir. Géza von Radványi) – Count Talleyrand * 1966: '' Le deuxième souffle'' (dir.

Jean-Pierre Melville Jean-Pierre Melville (; born Jean-Pierre Grumbach; 20 October 1917 – 2 August 1973) was a French filmmaker and actor. Among his films are ''Le Silence de la mer'' (1949), ''Bob le flambeur'' (1956), '' Le Doulos'' (1962), ''Le Samouraï'' (196 ...

) – Commissaire Blot * 1969: ''

'' (dir. Jean-Pierre Melville) – Luc Jardie * 1971: ''Le Cri du cormoran le soir au-dessus des jonques'' (dir.

Michel Audiard Paul Michel Audiard (; 15 May 1920 – 27 July 1985) was a French screenwriter and film director, known for his witty, irreverent and slang-laden dialogues which made him a prominent figure on the French cultural scene of the 1960s and 1970s. He ...

) – Kruger * 1971: '' Doucement les basses'' (dir.

Jacques Deray Jacques Deray (born Jacques Desrayaud; 19 February 1929 – 9 August 2003) was a French film director and screenwriter. Deray is prominently known for directing many crime and thriller films. Biography Born Jacques Desrayaud in Lyon, France, in 1 ...

) – L'évêque * 1973: ''Un flic hors la loi'' (dir.

Stefano Vanzina Steno, the artistic name of Stefano Vanzina (19 January 1917 – 13 March 1988), was an Italian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer. Two of his films, ''Un giorno in pretura'' (1954) and ''Febbre da cavallo'' (1976), were shown in a ...

) * 1973: ''Les Voraces'' (dir. Sergio Gobbi) – L'inspecteur Martino * 1974: '' The Suspects'' (dir. Michel Wyn) – Laurent Kirchner * 1975: '' Le Gitan'' (dir.

José Giovanni José Giovanni (22 June 1923, Paris, France – 24 April 2004, Lausanne, Switzerland) was the pseudonym of Joseph Damiani, a French writer and film-maker of Corsican origin who became a naturalized Swiss citizen in 1986. A former collaborationi ...

) – Yan Kuq * 1975: ''L'Éducation amoureuse de Valentin'' (dir. Jean L'Hôte) – Julien Blaise (final film role)

References

External links

Alexey Gusev. "The Man Who Wasn't Here."
''Seance'' blog (in Russian). Article for the 100th anniversary of Paul Meurisse's birth. * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Meurisse, Paul 1912 births 1979 deaths People from Dunkirk French male film actors French male stage actors Sociétaires of the Comédie-Française 20th-century French male actors