Versatile French Singing Actor

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30856, 15 September 1965, Page 9

Versatile French Singing Actor

A leading French singer and actor, JeanClaude Pascal, will visit Christchurch as the star of an all-French show which will give two performances on September 29. Pascal, described as 6ft 3in, dark, handsome and single, is a man very much in demand in the French entertainment world.

In his 38 years he has been soldier, dress designer, actor, screen lover, singer and television star. He first came to public notice during the Second World War when he won the Croix de Guerre as a 17-year-

old soldier in the French Army. After the war he entered the fashion world, starting by creating Hermes’s famous scarves and later designing dresses for Christian Dior and Robert Piguet. Dress designing led Pascal to the stage door. A producer ! asked him to design the costumes for the film “Don Juan.” Pascal accepted the job, was captured by the I stage—and decided to become an actor. Determined to do the thing I properly, he enrolled with Rene Simon in France’s finest drama school. Success came quickly. His first dramatic role—in the stage production of ‘The Lady of the Camelias” playing opposite Edwidge Feuillere—led to starring parts in 40 films. His co-stars have included Bridgitte Bardot, Michele Morgan, Daniele Darrieux, Juliette Greco, Claire Bloom, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and Martine Carol. With his future in films, assured, why did Pascal decide, eight years ago, to become a singer? “I was always offered the part of the playboy,” he said. “I wanted to become the French Cary Grant, but noone gave me the chance. So I started singing—and only the songs I liked.” According to Pascal he “hasn’t much of a voice” and is “no charmer.” But French critics disagreed and their enthusiastic reviews have been endorsed by thousands of admirers. Pascal’s talent was officially recognised in 1962 when, with the song “Nous Les Amoureux,” he won the Eurovision Grand Prix—the prize awarded annually to the best singer and song in Britain and Europe. In between singing tours to all parts of the world, Pascal makes frequent film and television appearances. When he returns to France in October he will begin work on his new weekly dramatic television series. Each week in the hour-long dramatic show he will introduce and act with a leading European actor or actress. His first guest star will be Brigitte Bardot, and others will include Martine Carol, Claudia Cardinale and Jean Gabin. Pascal will be accompanied by his music arranger, Leo Chauiiac, and a 12-piece band. Other stars are Sylvia Penzes, Jacques Renaux and Claude Garden. An Auckland promotion group, part of Les Productions Andre Louvlere de Paris, plans to bring further groups of Continental artists to New Zealand. j