Marie Bell (23 December 1900 – 14 August 1985), born Marie-Jeanne Bellon-Downey, was a French

tragedian A tragedy is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character or cast of characters. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy is to invoke an accompanying catharsis, or a "pain ...

comic actor The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with black comedy, dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is o ...

and stage director. She was the director of the Théâtre du Gymnase 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 ...

from 1962 onwards, and this theatre now bears her name.

Early life

Marie Bell was born on 23 December 1900 in

Bègles Bègles (; Gascon language, Gascon: ''Begla'') is a Communes of France, commune in the Gironde Departments of France, department in southwestern France. It is a suburb of the city of Bordeaux and is adjacent to it on the south. Bègles station h ...

near Bordeaux (France). With her Irish father, she spent her childhood between

Bordeaux Bordeaux ( ; ; Gascon language, Gascon ; ) is a city on the river Garonne in the Gironde Departments of France, department, southwestern France. A port city, it is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, as well as the Prefectures in F ...

and

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

Career

Bell was a classical actress. She also appeared in avant-garde theatre,

Jean Genet Jean Genet (; ; – ) was a French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist. In his early life he was a vagabond and petty criminal, but he later became a writer and playwright. His major works include the novels '' The Th ...

in particular. Her interpretation of the role of

Phèdre ''Phèdre'' (; originally ''Phèdre et Hippolyte'') is a French dramatic tragedy in five acts written in alexandrine verse by Jean Racine, first performed in 1677 at the theatre of the Hôtel de Bourgogne in Paris. Composition and premiere With ...

is highly noted : "Voir Marie Bell dans Phèdre est une chance unique pour quiconque veut savoir ce qu'est le génie français."

André Malraux Georges André Malraux ( ; ; 3 November 1901 – 23 November 1976) was a French novelist, art theorist, and minister of cultural affairs. Malraux's novel ''La Condition Humaine'' (''Man's Fate'') (1933) won the Prix Goncourt. He was appointed ...

During the German Occupation of France (1940–1944), she participated in the

French resistance The French Resistance ( ) was a collection of groups that fought the German military administration in occupied France during World War II, Nazi occupation and the Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy#France, collaborationist Vic ...

as one of nine directors of the Front national du théâtre. She was awarded the decoration of the

Légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour ( ), formerly the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour (), is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit, both military and Civil society, civil. Currently consisting of five cl ...

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

Charles de Gaulle Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (22 November 18909 November 1970) was a French general and statesman who led the Free France, Free French Forces against Nazi Germany in World War II and chaired the Provisional Government of the French Re ...

Personal life

Bell married

Jean Chevrier Jean Chevrier (25 April 1915 – 13 December 1975) was a French film actor and member of the Comédie-Française. He appeared in 50 films between 1936 and 1972. He was married to actress Marie Bell. He was buried alongside his wife at the ...

, who was also an actor.

Death

Bell died on 14 August 1985 in

Neuilly-sur-Seine Neuilly-sur-Seine (; 'Neuilly-on-Seine'), also known simply as Neuilly, is an urban Communes of France, commune in the Hauts-de-Seine Departments of France, department just west of Paris in France. Immediately adjacent to the city, north of the ...

Hauts-de-Seine Hauts-de-Seine (; ) is a department in the Île-de-France region of France. It covers Paris's western inner suburbs. It is bordered by Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne to the east, Val-d'Oise to the north, Yvelines to the west and ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

. She was buried alongside her husband

at the Monaco Cemetery not far from

Josephine Baker Freda Josephine Baker (; June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975), naturalized as Joséphine Baker, was an American and French dancer, singer, and actress. Her career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in France. She was the first Black woman to s ...

Filmography

* ''

'' (dir. René Hervil, 1924), as Marthe de Lignières *'' Madame Récamier'' (dir. Tony Lekain and Gaston Ravel, 1928), as Juliette Récamier * '' The Farewell Waltz'' (dir.

Henry Roussel Henry Roussel (; 1875–1946), also known as Henry Roussell, was a French silent film actor, film director and screenwriter best known for his silent films of the 1910s and 1920s. He starred in well over 40 films between 1912 and 1939. Selected ...

, 1928), as

Maria Wodzińska Maria Wodzińska, ''primo voto'' Skarbkowa, ''secundo voto'' Orpiszewska (7 January 1819 – 7 December 1896), was a Polish artist who was a former fiancée to composer Frédéric Chopin. Life Maria Wodzińska was a daughter of Count Wincent ...

*'' Figaro'' (dir. Tony Lekain and Gaston Ravel, 1929), as Suzanne *'' La nuit est à nous'' (''The Night Is Ours'') (dir.

Carl Froelich Carl August Hugo Froelich (5 September 1875 – 12 February 1953) was a German film pioneer and film director. He was born and died in Berlin. Biography Apparatus builder and cameraman From 1903 Froelich was a colleague of Oskar Messter, one of ...

and

, 1930), as Bettine de Barsac *''Le Joker'' (dir.

Erich Waschneck Erich John Waschneck (29 April 1887, in Grimma, Kingdom of Saxony – 22 September 1970, in Berlin) was a German cameraman, director, screenwriter, and film producer. Early life Erich was the son of Karl Hermann Waschneck, a blacksmith, and his ...

, 1930), as Harriet Williams *' (dir.

Curtis Bernhardt Curtis Bernhardt (15 April 1899 – 22 February 1981) was a German film director born in Worms, Germany, under the name Kurt Bernhardt. Career He trained as an actor in Germany, and performed on the stage, before starting as a film director in ...

and

Jean Tarride Jean Tarride (1901–1980) was a French actor and film director. He was the brother of the actor Jacques Tarride. Selected filmography Director * ' (1931) * ' (1932) * ''The Yellow Dog (1932 film), The Yellow Dog'' (1932) * ''Étienne (film), Éti ...

, 1931), as Lady Falkland *''La Folle Aventure'' (dir.

and André-Paul Antoine, 1931), as Nelly Irwin * ''

Luck Luck is the phenomenon and belief that defines the experience of improbable events, especially improbably positive or negative ones. The Naturalism (philosophy), naturalistic interpretation is that positive and negative events may happen at a ...

'' (dir. René Guissart, 1931), as Tania Balieff * '' The Man with the Hispano'' (dir. Jean Epstein, 1933), as Stéphane Oswill * '' The Princess's Whim'' (dir. Karl Hartl and

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'' (1953) and '' Les Diabo ...

, 1934), as Isabelle *''

Fedora A fedora () is a hat with a soft brim and indented crown.Kilgour, Ruth Edwards (1958). ''A Pageant of Hats Ancient and Modern''. R. M. McBride Company. It is typically creased lengthwise down the crown and "pinched" near the front on both sides ...

'' (dir. Louis J. Gasnier, 1934), as Fedora *'' Le Grand Jeu'' (dir.

Jacques Feyder Jacques Feyder (; 21 July 1885 – 24 May 1948) was a Belgian film director, screenwriter and actor who worked principally in France, but also in the US, Britain and Germany. He was a director of silent films during the 1920s, and in the 193 ...

, 1934), as Florence / Irma *''

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 Bou ...

'' (dir.

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

, 1934), as Rosine *' (dir.

Giovacchino Forzano Giovacchino Forzano (; 19 November 1884 – 28 October 1970) was an Italian playwright, librettist, stage and film director. A resourceful writer, he authored numerous popular plays and produced opera librettos for most of the major Italian comp ...

, 1935), as Anne-Marie de Beaulieu **' (dir.

and Marcel Cravenne, 1936), as Anne-Marie de Beaulieu *' (dir.

, 1936), as Marguerite *'' La Garçonne'' (dir.

Jean de Limur Jean de Limur (13 November 1887, Vouhé, Charente-Maritime – 5 June 1976, Paris) was a French film director, actor and screenwriter. His works include ''La Garçonne (1936 film), La Garçonne'' (1936) and ''The Letter (1929 film), The Letter' ...

, 1936), as Monique Lerbier – la garçonne * ''

Temptation Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals.Webb, J.R. (Sep 2014). Incorporating Spirituality into Psychology of temptation: Conceptualization, measurement, and clinical implications. Sp ...

'' (dir. Pierre Caron, 1936), as Irène de Bergue * '' When Midnight Strikes'' (dir. Léo Joannon, 1936), as Mattia *''Les Demi-vierges'' (dir. Pierre Caron, 1936), as Maud de Rouvre * '' Blanchette'' (dir. Pierre Caron, 1937), as Blanchette Rousset *' (dir. Walter Kapps, 1937), as Renée Morhange *'' Un carnet de bal'' (''Life Dances On'') (dir.

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'', ...

, 1937), as Christine Surgère *' (dir. Maurice Gleize, 1938), de Simone *''La Glu'' (dir.

Jean Choux Jean Choux (1887–1946) was a French-Swiss film director, screenwriter and film producer, producer born in Geneva. He was active in French and Italian cinema from the silent era until his death in 1946. Filmography * ''The Vocation of André C ...

, 1938), as Fernande "La Glu" *'' Noix de coco'' (''Cocoanut'') (dir. Jean Boyer, 1939), as Caroline * ''

The Phantom Carriage ''The Phantom Carriage'' (, literally "The Wagoner") is a 1921 Swedish silent film directed by and starring Victor Sjöström, based on the 1912 novel '' Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness!'' (''Körkarlen'') by Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf. In the ...

'' (dir.

, 1939), as Sœur Maria * '' Those of the Sky'' (dir. Yvan Noé, 1941), as Hélène * '' Private Life'' (dir. Walter Kapps, 1942), as Florence *'' Le colonel Chabert'' (dir. René Le Hénaff, 1943), as Comtesse Rosine Ferraud *'' Il gattopardo'' (''The Leopard'') (dir.

Luchino Visconti Luchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo (; 2 November 1906 – 17 March 1976) was an Italian filmmaker, theatre and opera director, and screenwriter. He was one of the fathers of Italian neorealism, cinematic neorealism, but later ...

, 1963), uncredited *'' La Bonne Soupe'' (dir. Robert Thomas, 1964), as Marie-Paule *''

Vaghe stelle dell'Orsa ''Sandra'' () is a 1965 drama film directed and co-written by Luchino Visconti, and starring Claudia Cardinale, Jean Sorel, and Michael Craig (actor), Michael Craig. A modern-day retelling of the Electra, Electra story, the film centers on the inc ...

'' (''Sandra'') (dir.

, 1965), as Sandra's mother *'' Hotel Paradiso'' (dir.

Peter Glenville Peter Glenville (born Peter Patrick Brabazon Browne; 28 October 19133 June 1996) was an English theatre and film director, and actor. He was a prominent director of stage plays on the West End and Broadway in the 1950s. He was nominated fo ...

, 1966), as La Grande Antoinette *''Phèdre'' (dir. Pierre Jourdan, 1968), as

*'' Closed Shutters'' (dir.

Jean-Claude Brialy Jean-Claude Brialy (30 March 1933 – 30 May 2007) was a French actor and film director. Early life Brialy was born in Aumale (now Sour El-Ghozlane), French Algeria, where his father was stationed with the French Army. Brialy moved to mainland ...

, 1973), as Aurore

References

External links

* *
Marie Bell
at ''

Ciné-Ressources ''Ciné-Ressources'' is a union catalogue of the libraries and archives of French cinema, created on 22 August 2007 and managed by the Cinémathèque française. Initiated by the in collaboration with the , it provides access to more than 200,0 ...

'' (French) *
brief biography of Marie Bell
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, Marie 1900 births 1985 deaths French stage actresses French silent film actresses French film actresses French theatre directors French women theatre directors Place of death missing Sociétaires of the Comédie-Française People from Gironde Actresses from Nouvelle-Aquitaine 20th-century French actresses Monegasque actresses French Resistance members French expatriates in Monaco French women comedians Comedians from Nouvelle-Aquitaine