Louis Jacques Marie Collin du Bocage (14 May 1893 – 3 November 1952), better known by the pen name Louis Verneuil, was a French playwright, screenwriter, and actor.

Biography

Born in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

, Verneuil wrote approximately sixty plays and was best known for comedy.Playwright Verneuil Found Dead in Paris
. ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

''. 4 November 1952. p. 33. Many of his works were produced 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 Stre ...

including ''Monsieur Lamberthier'', adapted into ''Jealousy'' (1928) starring John Halliday and

Fay Bainter Fay Okell Bainter (December 7, 1893 – April 16, 1968) was an American film and stage actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ''Jezebel'' (1938) and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Early life Bainter was ...

, and subsequently adapted again in 1946 as ''Obsession'' with

Eugenie Leontovich Eugenie Leontovich (born Yevgeniya Konstantinovna Leontovich; ; March 21 or April 3, "Eugenie Leontovich, 93; actress, writer, director", ''Chicago Tribune'', April 4, 1993, pg. 6."Eugenie Leontovich, 93, Actress, Playwright and Teacher, Is De ...

and

Basil Rathbone Philip St. John Basil Rathbone MC (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967) was an Anglo-South African actor. He rose to prominence in the United Kingdom as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in more than 70 films, primarily costume drama ...

; and ''Affairs of State'' (1950) which starred

Celeste Holm Celeste Holm (April 29, 1917 – July 15, 2012) was an American actress. Holm won an Academy Award for her performance in Elia Kazan's '' Gentleman's Agreement'' (1947), and was nominated for her roles in '' Come to the Stable'' (1949) and ''A ...

and

Harry Bannister Harry Bannister (September 29, 1889 – February 26, 1961) was an American stage, film and television actor, and theater producer and director. Biography Born in Holland, Michigan, Bannister began acting in movies and on Broadway in the 1920s ...

. ''

Affairs of State ''Affairs of State'' is a 1950 Broadway comedy play written and directed by Louis Verneuil. It opened at the Royale Theatre, then moved to the Music Box Theatre and played for a total of 610 performances. It was the first play Verneuil wrote in E ...

'' ran for 610 performances at the

Music Box Theatre The Music Box Theatre is a Broadway theatre, Broadway theater at 239 West 45th Street (George Abbott Way) in the Theater District, Manhattan, Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S. Opened in 1921, the Music Box ...

and was the first work Verneuil wrote in English. His screenwriting credits include '' Avec Le Sourire'' (''With a Smile'') (1936) which starred

Maurice Chevalier Maurice Auguste Chevalier (; 12 September 1888 – 1 January 1972) was a French singer, actor, and entertainer. He is best known for his signature songs, including " Livin' In The Sunlight", " Valentine", " Louise", " Mimi", and " Thank Heaven f ...

, and ''

Cosas de mujer ''Feminine Wiles'' (Spanish: Cosas de mujer) is a 1951 Argentine film directed by Carlos Schlieper during the classical era of Argentine cinema. It stars Zully Moreno and Ángel Magaña. It is based on a play by Louis Verneuil. Cast *Zully Moren ...

'' (''Feminine Wiles'') (1951). The

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television, and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympatheti ...

film ''

Deception Deception is the act of convincing of one or many recipients of untrue information. The person creating the deception knows it to be false while the receiver of the information does not. It is often done for personal gain or advantage. Tort of ...

'' (1946) was a third adaptation of his ''Monsieur Lamberthier''. Verneuil was once married to Lysiane Bernhardt, the granddaughter of

Sarah Bernhardt Sarah Bernhardt (; born Henriette-Rosine Bernard; 22 October 1844 – 26 March 1923) was a French stage actress who starred in some of the most popular French plays of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including by Alexandre Dumas fils, ...

. In 1942 he wrote a biography of his grandmother-in-law, titled ''The Marvellous Life of Sarah Bernhardt.'' Verneuil died by suicide at the age of 59 by slashing his throat. Police found his body in a bathtub. Verneuil is buried in the

Père Lachaise Cemetery Père Lachaise Cemetery (, , formerly , ) is the largest cemetery in Paris, France, at . With more than 3.5 million visitors annually, it is the most visited necropolis in the world. Buried at Père Lachaise are many famous figures in the ...

Selected filmography

* '' Who Is the Man?'' (Silent film, 1924, based on ''Daniel'') * ' (Silent film, 1926, based on ''Le Fauteuil 47'') * ''

The World at Her Feet ''The World at Her Feet'' is a 1927 American silent film, silent film comedy directed by Luther Reed and starring Florence Vidor. It was produced by the Paramount Lasky Corporation. Cast *Florence Vidor as Jane Randall *Arnold Kent as Richard ...

'' (Silent film, 1927, based on ''Maître Bolbec and son mari'') * '' Get Your Man'' (Silent film, 1927, based on ''Tu m'épouseras'') * '' My Sister and I'' (Silent film, 1929, based on ''Ma sœur et moi'') * ''

Jealousy Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of Emotional insecurity, insecurity, fear, and concern over a relative lack of possessions or safety. Jealousy can consist of one or more emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, he ...

'' (1929, based on ''Monsieur Lamberthier'') * ''

The Road to Paradise ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

'' (French, 1930, French adaptation of a German screenplay) * ''

Burglars Burglary, also called breaking and entering (B&E) or housebreaking, is a property crime involving the illegal entry into a building or other area without permission, typically with the intention of committing a further criminal offence. Usually ...

'' (German, 1930, based on ''Guignol, le cambrioleur'') ** '' Caught in the Act'' (French, 1931, based on ''Guignol, le cambrioleur'') * ''

The Love Habit ''The Love Habit'' is a 1931 British comedy film directed by Harry Lachman and starring Seymour Hicks, Margot Grahame and Edmund Breon. It was made at Elstree Studios with production beginning in August 1930.Wood p.69 Produced by British Inter ...

'' (1931, based on ''Pour avoir Adrienne'') * ''

My Cousin from Warsaw My or MY may refer to: Arts and entertainment * My (radio station), a Malaysian radio station * Little My, a fictional character in the Moomins universe * ''My'' (album), by Edyta Górniak * ''My'' (EP), by Cho Mi-yeon Business * Marke ...

'' (French, 1931, based on ''Ma cousine de Varsovie'') ** ''

'' (German, 1931, based on ''Ma cousine de Varsovie'') * ''

The Woman They Talk About ''The Woman They Talk About'' (German: ''Die Frau von der man spricht'') is a 1931 German drama film directed by Victor Janson and starring Mady Christians, Hans Stüwe and Lilian Ellis.Waldman p.27 The film's art direction was by Botho Hoefer ...

'' (German, 1931, based on ''Daniel'') * '' Companion Wanted'' (French, 1932, French adaptation of a German screenplay) * ''La petite de Montparnasse'' (French, 1932, based on ''Pile ou face'') ** ''Das Mädel vom Montparnasse'' (German, 1932, based on ''Pile ou face'') * '' The Cheeky Devil'' (German, 1932, based on ''Pour avoir Adrienne'') ** '' You Will Be My Wife'' (French, 1932, based on ''Pour avoir Adrienne'') * '' Azaïs'' (French, 1932, based on ''Azaïs'') * ''

His Best Client ''His Best Client'' (French: ''Sa meilleure cliente'') is a 1932 French comedy film directed by Pierre Colombier and starring Elvire Popesco, René Lefèvre and Hélène Robert.The A to Z of French Cinema p.358 The film's sets were designed by ...

'' (French, 1932, Original story) * '' Just My Luck'' (1933, based on ''Azaïs'') * '' All for Love'' (French, 1933, French adaptation of a German screenplay) * ''Ihre Durchlaucht, die Verkäuferin'' (German, 1933, based on ''Ma sœur et moi'') ** '' Caprice de princesse'' (French, 1934, based on ''Ma sœur et moi'') * '' Nemo's Bank'' (French, 1934, based on ''La banque Nemo'') * '' The Lady Is Willing'' (1934, based on ''Une femme ravie'') * '' Get Your Man'' (1934, based on ''Tu m'épouseras'') * ''

A Woman Who Knows What She Wants ''A Woman Who Knows What She Wants'' () is a 1934 Czech musical comedy film directed by Václav Binovec and starring Markéta Krausová, , and Truda Grosslichtová. It is an adaptation of a 1932 stage musical of the same title, with music by ...

'' (Czech, 1934, based on ''Le Fauteuil 47'') ** ''

'' (German, 1934, based on ''Le Fauteuil 47'') * ''

Arlette and Her Fathers ''Arlette and Her Fathers'' (French: ''Arlette et ses papas'') is a 1934 French comedy film directed by Henry Roussel and starring Max Dearly, Jules Berry and Renée Saint-Cyr. It is based on the 1932 play ''Avril'' by Georges Berr and Louis V ...

'' (French, 1934, based on ''Avril'') * ' (French, 1934, based on ''Une femme ravie'') * ' (French, 1934, based on ''L'École des contribuables'') * ' (French, 1934, based on ''Maître Bolbec et son mari'') * ''

Speak to Me of Love ''Speak to Me of Love'' () is a 2002 French drama film written and directed by Sophie Marceau and starring Judith Godrèche, Niels Arestrup, and Anne Le Ny. The first feature-length motion picture directed by actress Sophie Marceau, the film ...

'' (French, 1935, based on ''Parlez-moi d'amour'') * '' Dora Nelson'' (French, 1935, based on ''Dora Nelson'') * ''

The Lover of Madame Vidal ''The Lover of Madame Vidal'' (French: ''L'amant de Madame Vidal'') is a 1936 French comedy film directed by André Berthomieu and starring Elvire Popesco, Victor Boucher and Jacques Louvigny.Goble p.669 It was based on a 1928 play of the same ...

'' (French, 1936, based on ''L'amant de Madame Vidal'') * '' The King'' (French, 1936, adaptation of a play by

Gaston Arman de Caillavet Gaston Arman de Caillavet (13 March 1869 – 13 January 1915) was a French playwright. Early life Gaston Arman de Caillavet was born on 13 March 1869. He was the son of Albert Arman de Caillavet and Léontine Lippmann. His maternal grandfath ...

Robert de Flers Robert Pellevé de La Motte-Ango, marquis de Flers (25 November 1872, Pont-l'Évêque, Calvados – 30 July 1927, Vittel) was a French playwright, opera librettist, and journalist. Pierre Barillet, ''Les Seigneurs du rire: Flers – Caillavet � ...

and

Emmanuel Arène Emmanuel Arène (1 January 1856 – 14 August 1908) was a French journalist, playwright and republican politician who was deputy for Corsica for many years and senator of Corsica in his last years. He was involved in scandals over maritime mail co ...

) * '' With a Smile'' (French, 1936, original screenplay) * ''

The Green Jacket ''The Green Jacket'' (French: ''L'habit vert'') is a 1937 French comedy film directed by Roger Richebé and starring Elvire Popesco, Victor Boucher and Jules Berry. It is based on a play by Gaston Arman de Caillavet and Robert de Flers.Forman ...

'' (French, 1937, adaptation of a play by

and

) * ''

Mademoiselle ma mère ''Mademoiselle ma mère'' (My Mother Is a Miss) is a 1937 French comedy film directed by Henri Decoin, and starring Danielle Darrieux, Pierre Brasseur and Pierre Larquey. The screenplay was written by Jean Boyer, based on a play by Louis Verneuil. ...

'' (French, 1937, based on ''Mademoiselle ma mère'') * ' (French, 1937, based on ''Le Fauteuil 47'') * '' True Confession'' (1937, based on ''Mon Crime'') * '' The Train for Venice'' (French, 1938, based on '' The Train for Venice'') * '' Dora Nelson'' (Italian, 1939, based on ''Dora Nelson'') * ''

Medio millón por una mujer ''Medio millón por una mujer'' (''Half a Million for a Woman'') is a 1940 Argentine film of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema, directed by Francisco Múgica. Production The 91-minute black and white film was directed for Lumiton by Francisco M ...

'' (Spanish, 1940, based on ''Une femme ravie'') * ''

My Life with Caroline ''My Life with Caroline'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Ronald Colman and Anna Lee, in her second Hollywood film and her first in a starring role. The supporting cast featured Charles Winninger, Regin ...

'' (1941, based on '' The Train for Venice'') * ''

Mischievous Susana ''Mischievous Susana'' (Spanish: ''La pícara Susana'') is a 1945 Mexican musical comedy film directed by Fernando Cortés and starring Mapy Cortés, Luis Aldás and Fortunio Bonanova. This is Cortés's directorial debut; he directed his wife Ma ...

'' (Spanish, 1945, based on ''Ma sœur et moi'') * ''

'' (1946, based on ''Monsieur Lamberthier'') * '' Cross My Heart'' (1946, based on ''Mon Crime'') * '' Novio, marido y amante'' (Spanish, 1948, based on ''Mademoiselle ma mère'') * '' La otra y yo'' (Spanish, 1949, based on ''Dora Nelson'') * ''Canas al aire'' (Spanish, 1949, based on ''L'amant de Madame Vidal'') * '' My Sister and I'' (Swedish, 1950, based on ''Ma sœur et moi'') * ''

'' (Spanish, 1951, based on ''Maître Bolbec and son mari'') * ' (French, 1951, based on ''Le Passage de Vénus'') * '' My Sister and I'' (German, 1954, based on ''Ma sœur et moi''; released posthumously) * ''

'' (German, 1958, based on ''Le Fauteuil 47''; released posthumously)

External links

* *

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Verneuil, Louis 1893 births 1952 suicides 1952 deaths French male stage actors French male film actors French male silent film actors 20th-century French male actors Suicides by sharp instrument in France Burials at Père Lachaise Cemetery 20th-century French dramatists and playwrights