Maurice Chevalier

Maurice Chevalier (1888–1972) was a French singer, actor, and entertainer known for his charm, signature boater hat, and songs like “Thank Heaven for Little Girls.” Explore his life, rise to Hollywood fame, wartime challenges, and his enduring legacy.

Introduction

Maurice Chevalier remains a figure synonymous with French elegance, joie de vivre, and the golden age of musical cinema. A singer, actor, and entertainer, he embodied the image of the suave, playful French gentleman—complete with boater hat, cane, and suave accent. His career spanned from early cabaret stages to Hollywood musicals, and his songs and persona have endured as cultural icons.

Early Life & Struggles

• Birth & Family: Maurice Auguste Chevalier was born 12 September 1888 in Paris, France.

• He was one of many children; his mother (Joséphine Van Den Bossche) worked as a lace-maker; his father, Victor Chevalier, was a house painter.

• The family was modest, and Chevalier left formal schooling early (around age 11) to work in various trades to help support the family.

• His early jobs included working as an engraver’s apprentice, factory work, and other odd jobs. But his interest in performance surfaced early: singing and performing in cafés and small venues.

As a young teenager, he tried acrobatics and considered a variety of paths, but performance kept pulling him back.

Rise to Fame & Artistic Career

Cabaret and Stage Beginnings

In the early 1900s, Chevalier began performing in café concerts and music halls. By 1909, he was working in Marseille (l’Alcazar) and started to gain recognition as a mimic, comedian, and singer. He later joined performances with Mistinguett (a major French star) and other music-hall acts, which broadened his popularity.

War, Captivity & Reinvention

When World War I broke out, Chevalier was drafted into the French army. He was wounded and eventually captured by the Germans, spending nearly two years as a prisoner of war. During captivity, he learned English (with help from fellow prisoners) and nervous about his postwar prospects. After the war, he revived his career, embracing jazz, ragtime, and expanding his appeal internationally.

Hollywood & Film Success

With the arrival of sound in film, Chevalier migrated to Hollywood. His first American film was Innocents of Paris (1929). In 1930, he was nominated for Academy Awards for The Love Parade (1929) and The Big Pond (1930), two films that established his star in the U.S. Chevalier became known for signature songs like “You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me,” “Livin’ in the Sunlight, Lovin’ in the Moonlight,” “Thank Heaven for Little Girls,” and more. He continued making films across decades, including Gigi (1958) and Can-Can (1960). In 1970, near the end of his career, he contributed the title song for Disney’s The Aristocats.

Character, Persona & Public Challenges

Chevalier’s public persona was elegant, debonair, witty, and romantic. The straw boater hat, tuxedo, cane, and a light French accent became his trademarks.

During World War II, his choices became controversial. Though he largely refused to collaborate with Vichy or Nazi authorities, pressure and rumor swirled. He claimed he performed for prisoners of war as a humanitarian act, and resisted overt propaganda demands.

In his later years, Chevalier faced depression and declining health. In 1971, he made a serious suicide attempt. He died 1 January 1972 in Paris, at the age of 83.

He is buried in Marnes-la-Coquette in Hauts-de-Seine near Paris.

Legacy & Honors

• Chevalier helped shape the musical movie genre in Hollywood with his cross-cultural style.

• His songs remain standards, and his image often evokes classic French charm.

• He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

• His career longevity—from music halls to late film roles—demonstrates adaptability and enduring appeal.

Selected Quotes

Here are a few quotes or witticisms attributed to Maurice Chevalier (in various sources):

• “Thank Heaven for little girls.” (one of his signature song titles)

• On aging: “The short memories of Frenchmen make it possible for us to do the things we do.” (a popularly cited line, though exact attribution is murky)

• On women: “Although it is not good to be a cynic, one gets a better class of devil that way.”

• “Age is not how old you are, but how old you feel.” (sometimes attributed)

Because much of Chevalier’s fame was in performance and song, fewer documented aphorisms remain, and some quotes are passed along in showbiz lore rather than in his own writings.