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The
New Formula: From Tino Rossi to Rock N Roll.
From Ballet of the Opera of Rome to Jazz and
Broadway’s “HAIR”!
By Maximillien de La Croix de
Lafayette
In 1925, Mistinguett left « Le
Casino de Paris » and returned with Jacques Charles to « Le Moulin
Rouge ». Volterra had to find a high caliber “vedette”
to replace Mistinguett. The only obvious choice was Maurice Chevalier.
In 1926, Chevalier returned to “Le
Casino de Paris” as the sole and principal star of the show. At that time,
Mistinguett regained her throne as the queen of Parisian Cabaret at “Le Moulin
Rouge”.
Photo:
Josephine Baker in 1930 at “Le Casino de Paris”.
In
1929, Volterra had enough. « Le Moulin Rouge » and « Le
« Théâtre Marigny » became a tough competition to beat. He sold “Le Casino de Paris” for nine million Francs. Oscar and Varna Dufrenne became the new proprietors of the
Casino.
In
1930, Joséphine Baker began her illustrious career at the Casino. She made
her débuts in " Paris Qui Remue" which lasted 13 consecutive
months. The Parisians began to call her "Reine du Music-Hall" (Queen
of the Music-Hall)
Photo, left: Mistinguett’s Poster as
a Recording Artist at Columbia. Photo, right: Mistinguett’s Poster as the Star
of “Theatre Mogador”
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In
1937, and six year later, Mistinguett returned once again to « Le
Casino de Paris ». In 1940, the Nazis closed down the Casino. Around
September 1941, the Germans reopened it. But no French artist was willing
to perform at the Casino because it was under the control of the invaders
of Paris. Almost all the Parisian artists, singers and entertainers
boycotted the Casino; a show of solidarity with the French resistance.
Maurice Chevalier was forced to join the Casino. Later on, Mistinguett
joined him, and together they collaborated on two shows. But, they made a
deal. Each one will star independently and solely in one separate show.
So, Maurice Chevalier starred in the first show and Mistinguett in the
second. The collaboration lasted until the end of 1941.
After
the second world war, “Le Casino de Paris” adopted a new formula and a
new style of variety shows. To some, it was an innovative artistic
creativity needed to metamorphose with the change of time. To many others,
it was a betrayal. What we see today at the Casino is a faithful
continuation of the 1946’s shows and spectacles and to a certain extent
to the concept developed in 1941. In 1959, Line Renaud made her débuts at
the Casino. More shows were added and constantly revised. They grew in
variety and size. Some of the musical shows had 110 performers, dancers,
singers and artistes on stage!
LINE RENAUD In
1970, Zizi Jeanmaire was the superstar of « Le Casino de
Paris ». She starred in the variety show of Roland Petit. In 1975,
Petit leaves the Casino. Jean Bauchet, a veteran of Cabarets and
ex-director of operations and entertainment at “Le Moulin Rouge”, “Casino
de Marrakech” and “Tabarin” began to worry about the future of the
Casino which was left without headliners and major stars. Line Renaud and
her husband Louis Gasté began to reshape the variete shows. Because Line
Renaud was highly respected in the showbiz and her name was familiar to
the public, customers began to return to the Casino. Unfortunately, in
1978, the Casino’s proceeds began to drop drastically. And finally, on
January 5, 1980, the Casino went out of business.
In1982,
the Casino reopened its door. A new concept is born: No more nudity shows,
no more women, no more prima donnas.
Jazz and Rock N Roll take over. In fact, anything that might help
the Casino is considered. No more consideration is exclusively given to
Parisian traditional shows. Thus, American Jazz Music, “Le Boogie-Woogie”,
Rock mixed with ballets from the Opera of Rome, and appearances by old
icons like Tino Rossi (who was already 75 year old) will do the trick.
Surprisingly enough, the formula worked. Particularly the show of Tino
Rossi who brought back a flair of nostalgia and romance. Encouraged by
this success, the Casino’s management began to incorporate large
American productions and Broadway’s musicals like “Hair”. In 1984,
the Casino officially adopted this formula. It is still implemented to
this day. |
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LYRICS
OF THE GREAT HIT OF ZIZI JEANMAIRE « MON TRUC EN PLUMES »
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