Suzy Delair (born Suzette Pierrette Delaire; December 31, 1917 – March 15, 2020) was a French actress, dancer, singer, comedian and star of vaudeville.

Early years

Growing up in

Montmartre Montmartre ( , ) is a large hill in Paris's northern 18th arrondissement. It is high and gives its name to the surrounding district, part of the Right Bank. The historic district established by the City of Paris in 1995 is bordered by Rue Ca ...

, Delair was the daughter of a father who upholstered expensive cars' interiors, and a seamstress mother. She studied music at

La Scala La Scala (, , ; abbreviation in Italian of the official name ) is a famous opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the ' (New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala). The premiere performan ...

Film

Born in

Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. Si ...

, she acted in films directed by

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'', ...

Jean Dréville Jean Dréville (20 September 1906 – 5 March 1997) was a French film director. He directed more than 40 films between 1928 and 1969. Selected filmography * '' Autour de L'Argent'' (1928) * ''A Man of Gold'' (1934) * ''The Chess Player'' ( ...

, Jean Grémillon, Marcel L'Herbier,

Christian-Jaque Christian-Jaque (byname of Christian Maudet; 4 September 1904 – 8 July 1994) was a French filmmaker. From 1954 to 1959, he was married to actress Martine Carol, who starred in several of his films, including ''Lucrèce Borgia'' (1953), ''M ...

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 ...

Luchino Visconti Luchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo (; 2 November 1906 – 17 March 1976) was an Italian filmmaker, stage director, and screenwriter. A major figure of Italian art and culture in the mid-20th century, Visconti was one of the ...

René Clément René Clément (; 18 March 1913 – 17 March 1996) was a French film director and screenwriter. Life and career Clément studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts where he developed an interest in filmmaking. In 1936, he directed hi ...

and

Gérard Oury Gérard Oury (born Max-Gérard Houry Tannenbaum; 29 April 1919 – 20 July 2006) was a French film director, actor and writer. Life and career Max-Gérard Houry-Tannenbaum was the only son of Serge Tannenbaum, a violinist of Russian-Jewish orig ...

. In 1947, Delair had a supporting role in ''The Murder Lives at Number 21'', which had its American premiere in New York City. Today's audiences probably know her best as the feminine lead in the

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957). Starting their career as a duo in t ...

comedy ''

Atoll K ''Atoll K'' is a 1951 Franco-Italian co-production film—also known as ''Robinson Crusoeland'' in the United Kingdom and ''Utopia'' in the United States – which starred the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy in their final screen appearance. The film ...

'' (also known as ''Utopia''), filmed in France and released in 1951.

Music

Before Delair began performing in films, she starred in operettas. On 28 February 1948 she sang ''

C'est si bon "" (; ) is a French popular song composed in 1947 by Henri Betti with the lyrics by André Hornez. The English lyrics were written in 1949 by Jerry Seelen. The song has been adapted in several languages. History In July 1947, Henri Betti ...

'' at the

Hotel Negresco The Hotel Negresco is a hotel and site of the restaurant ''Le Chantecler'', located on the Promenade des Anglais on the Baie des Anges in Nice, France. It was named after Henri Negresco (1868–1920), who had the palatial hotel constructed in 191 ...

during the first Nice Jazz Festival.

Louis Armstrong Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and Singing, vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and se ...

was present and loved the song. On 26 June 1950 he recorded the

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

version of the song (English lyrics by

Jerry Seelen Jerome Lincoln Seelen (March 11, 1912 - September 12, 1981) was an American screenwriter and lyricist . Biography Jerry Seelen wrote lyrics for songs in musical films and wrote screenplays for radio and television. During his lyricist career, ...

) in New York City with

Sy Oliver Melvin James "Sy" Oliver (December 17, 1910 – May 28, 1988) was an American jazz arranger, trumpeter, composer, singer and bandleader. Life Sy Oliver was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States. His mother was a piano teacher, and his ...

and his orchestra. When it was released, the disc was a worldwide success and the song was then performed by the greatest international singers.

Personal life

For 12 years, Delair was the companion of French film director, producer and screenwriter Henri-Georges Clouzot.

Selected filmography

* ''

A Caprice of Pompadour ''A Caprice of Pompadour'' (French: ''Un caprice de la Pompadour'') is a 1931 French historical musical film directed by Joë Hamman and Willi Wolff and starring André Baugé, Marcelle Denya and Gaston Dupray. A separate German version ''Mada ...

'' (Willy Wolff et Joë Hamman, 1931) – Une soubrette de la Pompadour * '' Imperial Violets'' (Henri Roussell), 1932) * ''La Dame de chez Maxim's'' (

Alexander Korda Sir Alexander Korda (; born Sándor László Kellner; hu, Korda Sándor; 16 September 1893 – 23 January 1956)Let's Touch Wood ''Let's Touch Wood'' (French: ''Touchons du bois'') is a 1933 French comedy film directed by Maurice Champreux and starring Jeanne Cheirel, Armand Bernard and Lily Zévaco. It is based on the play ''The Importance of Being Earnest'' by Oscar ...

'' (1933) – La petite compagne d'amusement * ''Professeur Cupidon'' (1933) * ''

Casanova Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (, ; 2 April 1725 – 4 June 1798) was an Italian adventurer and author from the Republic of Venice. His autobiography, (''Story of My Life''), is regarded as one of the most authentic sources of information about the c ...

'' (1934) * ''

Poliche ''Poliche'' is a 1934 French drama film directed by Abel Gance.''The A to Z of French Cinema'' p.119 Cast * Constant Rémy as Didier Méreuil, called "Poliche" * Marie Bell as Rosine * Edith Méra as Mme Laub * Violaine Barry * Romain Bouq ...

'' (1934) – Une Danseuse (uncredited) * ''The Depression Is Over'' (Robert Siodmak, 1934) * ''

The Crisis is Over ''The Crisis is Over'' (French: ''La crise est finie'') is a 1934 French musical comedy film directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Albert Préjean, Danielle Darrieux and Marcel Carpentier. Many of those who worked on the film were exiles from Na ...

'' (1934) – (uncredited) * ''Dédé'' (

Abel Gance Abel Gance (; born Abel Eugène Alexandre Péréthon; 25 October 188910 November 1981) was a French film director and producer, writer and actor. A pioneer in the theory and practice of montage, he is best known for three major silent films: ''J ...

, 1934) – Poliche (uncredited) * ''

Gold in the Street ''Gold in the Street'' (French: ''L'Or dans la rue'' ) is a 1934 French comedy film directed by Curtis Bernhardt, written by Henry Koster and Henri Decoin, and starring Danielle Darrieux.The A to Z of French Cinema p.119 The film's sets were desi ...

'' (K. Bernhardt, 1934) – Madeleine – L'amie de Gaby * ''Ferdinand le noceur'' (1935) – Madame Alice – Une prostituée de la maison close (uncredited) * ''Les Sœurs Hortensias'' (1935) – Une femme au cabaret (uncredited) * ''Prends la route'' (Jean Boyer, 1936) * ''Trois Six Neuf'' (Raymond Rouleau, 1937) * '' The Last of the Six'' (Georges Lacombe, 1941) – Mila Malou * ''

The Murderer Lives at Number 21 ''The Murderer Lives at Number 21'' (french: L'Assassin habite au 21) is a 1942 French comedy thriller film by director Henri-Georges Clouzot. Adapted by Belgian writer Stanislas-André Steeman and Clouzot from Steeman's 1939 book of the same t ...

'' (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1942) – Mila Malou * ''Défense d'aimer'' (Richard Pottier, 1942) – Totte * ''

La Vie de Bohème ''Scenes of Bohemian Life'' (original French title: ''Scènes de la vie de bohème'') is a work by Henri Murger, published in 1851. Although it is commonly called a novel, it does not follow standard novel form. Rather, it is a collection of loos ...

'' (Marcel L'Herbier, 1945) – Phémie / Femia * ''Confessions of a Rogue'' (Jean Dréville, 1947) – Coralin– * ''

Quai des Orfèvres ''Quai des Orfèvres'' (; "Goldsmiths' Quay"; also known as ''Jenny Lamour'') is a 1947 French police procedural drama film based on the book ''Légitime défense'' by Stanislas-Andre Steeman. Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot the film stars S ...

'' / ''Jenny Lamour'' (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1947) – Jenny Lamour * ''Par la fenêtre'' (Gilles Grangier, 1948) – Fernande * ''

White Paws ''White Paws'' (French: ''Pattes blanches'') is a 1949 French drama film directed by Jean Grémillon and starring Suzy Delair, Fernand Ledoux and Paul Bernard. The Paws of the title refer to the white spats wore by the protagonist, the aristocra ...

'' (Jean Grémillon, 1949) – Odette Kerouan * ''

I'm in the Revue ''I'm in the Revue'' ( it, Botta e risposta) is a 1950 French-Italian comedy film directed by Mario Soldati. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Nino Taranto - L'Habi ...

'' (Mario Soldati, 1950) – La Chanteuse * ''

Lady Paname ''Lady Paname'' was a 1950 French comedy film directed and written by Henri Jeanson and starring Louis Jouvet, Suzy Delair, Henri Guisol and Henri Crémieux.Crisp p.130 It tells the story of a young female singer who tries to become a star in the ...

'' (Henri Jeanson, 1950) – Raymonde Bosset, dite Caprice * ''

Lost Souvenirs ''Lost Souvenirs'' (French: ''Souvenirs perdus'') is a 1950 French drama film directed by Christian-Jaque and starring Bernard Blier, Pierre Brasseur and Suzy Delair.Turk p.363 The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert Gys. It was ...

'' (Christian-Jaque, 1950) – Suzy Henebey (episode "Une couronne mortuaire") * ''

Utopia A utopia ( ) typically describes an imaginary community or society that possesses highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities for its members. It was coined by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book '' Utopia'', describing a fictional island soc ...

'' (Léo Joannon, 1951) – Chérie Lamour * ''Fly in the Ointment'' (Guy Lefranc, 1955) – Lucette Gauthier * ''Fernandel the Dressmaker'' (Jean Boyer, 1956) – Adrienne Vignard * ''Gervaise'' (René Clément, 1956) – Virginie Poisson * ''The Regattas of San Francisco'' (

Claude Autant-Lara Claude Autant-Lara (; 5 August 1901 – 5 February 2000) was a French film director and later Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Biography Born at Luzarches in Val-d'Oise, Autant-Lara was educated in France and at London's Mill Hill Sc ...

, 1960) – Lucilla * ''

Rocco e i suoi fratelli ''Rocco and His Brothers'' ( it, Rocco e i suoi fratelli) is a 1960 drama film directed by Luchino Visconti and starring Alain Delon, Annie Girardot, Renato Salvatori, Katina Paxinou, Roger Hanin, Paolo Stoppa, and Claudia Cardinale in one of h ...

'' ("Rocco and his Brothers", Luchino Visconti, 1960) – Luisa * ''Du Mouron pour les petits oiseaux'' ("Chicken Feed for Little Birds",

, 1963) – Antoinette – La bouchère * '' Paris brûle-t-il?'' (René Clément, 1966) – A Parisienne (uncredited) * '' The Mad Adventures of "Rabbi" Jacob'' (Gérard Oury, 1973) – Germaine Pivert * ''Forget Me, Mandoline'' (1976) – Mireille

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Delair, Suzy 1917 births 2020 deaths French centenarians French film actresses French women singers Officers of the Ordre national du Mérite Officiers of the Légion d'honneur Singers from Paris Actresses from Paris Women centenarians Vaudeville performers