Maurice Chevalier

In the first fully authorised biography of Maurice Chevalier to appear in Britain, David Bret tells the full, colourful story of Chevalier's extraordinary life and career - a career that was, in effect, a marriage with his beloved public, and one which endured almost seventy years. He was most prolific during the period of 1930s-60s. Actor and singer Maurice Chevalier is best known for his role in the musical film Gigi as well as being one of the greatest French talents of this century. He was a cabaret performer, and star of the stage and screen in France and abroad. He was given a special Academy Award in 1958 for his contributions to the world of entertainment. Using a wealth of previously unpublished material, Bret discusses the charges of wartime collaboration brought against the star. He reveals a man who was sometimes the opposite of his happy screen persona, plagued by periods of self-doubt and tormented about his past. In all, Bret does true justice this warm, generous professional artiste, 30 years after his death.