History Creator / MauriceChevalier

* ''Disney/TheAristocats'' (1970)[[note]]Performed the film's opening theme, in both French and English versions[[/note]]

[[caption-width-right:300:''"Paris sera toujours Paris"'' [[labelnote:*]]"Paris will always be Paris.[[/labelnote]]]]

Maurice Auguste Chevalier (September 12, 1888 – January 1, 1972) was a world-famous French actor and singer.

He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and [[{{Chanson}} scored many hits]] like "Valentine," "Mimi," and "Louise." In 1927, he moved to Hollywood, where [[UsefulNotes/RiseOfTheTalkies sound films were just getting in vogue,]] thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade'' (1929), ''The Big Pond'' (1930), ''Film/LoveMeTonight'' (1932), and ''Film/{{Gigi}}'' (1958). He appeared alongside famous Hollywood movie stars of the day, including Creator/JeanetteMacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Creator/CharlesBoyer,[[note]]Boyer was another Frenchman whose career in Hollywood overlapped with Chevalier's. Boyer tended to get the dramatic and romantic parts that called for a French lead, while Chevalier got the light comedies and musicals.[[/note]] Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra.

[[caption-width-right:300:''"Paris sera toujours Paris"'']]

[[quoteright:307:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/maurice-chevalier-006_8442.jpg]]

He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and [[{{Chanson}} scored many hits]] like "Valentine," "Mimi," and "Louise." In 1927, he moved to Hollywood, where [[UsefulNotes/RiseOfTheTalkies sound films were just getting in vogue,]] thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond'' (1930), ''Film/LoveMeTonight'' (1932), and ''Film/{{Gigi}}'' (1958). He appeared alongside famous Hollywood movie stars of the day, including Creator/JeanetteMacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Creator/CharlesBoyer,[[note]]Boyer was another Frenchman whose career in Hollywood overlapped with Chevalier's. Boyer tended to get the dramatic and romantic parts that called for a French lead, while Chevalier got the light comedies and musicals.[[/note]] Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra.

* BorrowedCatchPhrase: His signature ''"hon hon hon"'' laugh has become the standard way French people laugh in comedy, even to people who have no idea that Chevalier originated this stereotype.

* ''Disney/TheAristocats'' (1970)[[note]]Performed the film's opening theme, in both French and English[[/note]]

For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness'' (1931), even though [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest he didn't appear in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958). Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats'' (1970), where he sings the title song.

He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and [[{{Chanson}} scored many hits]] like "Valentine," "Mimi," and "Louise." In 1927, he moved to Hollywood, where [[UsefulNotes/RiseOfTheTalkies sound films were just getting in vogue,]] thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond'' (1930), ''Film/LoveMeTonight'' (1932), and ''Film/{{Gigi}}'' (1958). He appeared alongside famous Hollywood movie stars of the day, including Creator/JeanetteMacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Creator/CharlesBoyer,[[note]]Boyer was another Frenchman whose career in Hollywood overlapped with Chevalier's. Boyer tended to get the dramatic and romantic parts that called for a French lead, while Chevalier got the light comedies and musicals.[[/note]] Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness'' (1931), even though [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest he didn't appear in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958). Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats'' (1970), where he sings the title song.

* JustAStupidAccent: Maurice Chevalier's accent is often treated this way in comedy.

Chevalier's French accent has in fact become the archetype of the FunnyForeigner. Whenever a comedian pretends to imitate a Frenchman he is indirectly mimicking the way Chevalier spoke English in his native Parisian accent, including his famous ''"hon hon hon"'' laugh. It has become such a StockParody, comparable to PoirotSpeak and MockCousteau, that we even included a separate page for it and [[TropeNamer
named it after him]]: the MauriceChevalierAccent.

Maurice Auguste Chevalier (September 12, 1888 – January 1, 1972) was a world-famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and [[{{Chanson}} scored many hits]] like "Valentine," "Mimi," and "Louise." In 1927, he moved to Hollywood, where [[UsefulNotes/RiseOfTheTalkies sound films were just getting in vogue,]] thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond'' (1930), ''Film/LoveMeTonight'' (1932), and ''Film/{{Gigi}}'' (1958). He appeared alongside famous Hollywood movie stars of the day, including Creator/JeanetteMacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Creator/CharlesBoyer,[[note]]Boyer was another Frenchman whose career in Hollywood overlapped with Chevalier's. Boyer tended to get the dramatic and romantic parts that called for a French lead, while Chevalier got the light comedies and musicals.[[/note]] Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness'' (1931), even though [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest he didn't appear in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958). Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats'' (1970), where he sings the title song.

Chevalier's French accent has in fact become the archetype of the FunnyForeigner. Whenever a comedian pretends to imitate a Frenchman he is indirectly mimicking the way Chevalier spoke English in his native Parisian accent, including his famous ''"hon hon hon"'' laugh. It has become such a StockParody, comparable to PoirotSpeak and MockCousteau, that we even included a separate page for it: the MauriceChevalierAccent.


TropeNamer for MauriceChevalierAccent.

Chevalier's French accent has in fact become the archetype of the FunnyForeigner. Whenever a comedian imitates a Frenchman he is indirectly mimicking the way Chevalier spoke English in his native accent, including his famous ''"hon hon hon"'' laugh. It has become such a StockParody, comparable to PoirotSpeak and MockCousteau, that we even included a separate page for it: MauriceChevalierAccent.

Maurice Auguste Chevalier (September 12, 1888 – January 1, 1972) was a world-famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and [[{{Chanson}} scored many hits]] like "Valentine," "Mimi," and "Louise." In 1927, he moved to Hollywood, where [[UsefulNotes/RiseOfTheTalkies sound films were just getting in vogue,]] thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond'' (1930), ''Film/LoveMeTonight'' (1932), and ''Film/{{Gigi}}'' (1958). He appeared alongside famous American movie stars of the day, including Creator/JeanetteMacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness'' (1931), even though [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest he didn't appear in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958). Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats'' (1970), where he sings the title song.

Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) was a world-famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and [[{{Chanson}} scored many hits]] like "Valentine," "Mimi," and "Louise." In 1927, he moved to Hollywood, where [[UsefulNotes/RiseOfTheTalkies sound films were just getting in vogue,]] thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond'' (1930), ''Film/LoveMeTonight'' (1932), and ''Film/{{Gigi}}'' (1958). He appeared alongside famous American movie stars of the day, including Jeanette [=MacDonald=], Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness'' (1931), even though [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest he didn't appear in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958). Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats'' (1970), where he sings the title song.

* ''[[Film/TheMerryWidow1934 The Merry Widow]]'' (1934)

!! Maurice Chevalier provides examples of the following tropes:
* UsefulNotes/AcademyAward: He won an honorary Academy Award in 1958.

* {{Chanson}}

* ConflictingLoyalty: Chevalier served France during the First World War, where he fought in combat and was even wounded by a shrapnel and taken a as a prison of war by the German army. During the Second World War he performed for prisoners of war in Germany at the camp he was interned in World War I and succeeded in liberating ten people in exchange. After the war he was accused of collaborationism, but acquitted by a French convened court. Still the English-speaking press remained hostile and refused him a visa for several years. Ironically enough he was also accused of being a Communist during the 1950s, because he took part in a Communist demonstration in Paris (1944) and performed at a Communist benefit against nuclear arms (1949).
** IDidWhatIHadToDo: Chevalier would himself claim that part of why he did what the Nazis asked was to protect his lover - a Jewish woman.

* ''Film/TheMerryWidow1934'' (1934)

* TheHatMakesTheMan: What would Chevalier be without it?

Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) was a world-famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and [[{{Chanson}} scored many hits]] like "Valentine," "Mimi," and "Louise." In 1927, he moved to Hollywood, where [[UsefulNotes/RiseOfTheTalkies sound films were just getting in vogue,]] thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond'' (1930), ''Film/LoveMeTonight'' (1932), and ''Film/{{Gigi}}'' (1958). He appeared alongside famous American movie stars of the day, including Jeanette Macdonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness'' (1931), even though [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest he didn't appear in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958). Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats'' (1970), where he sings the title song.

Chevalier's French accent has in fact become the archetype of the FunnyForeigner. Whenever a comedian imitates a Frenchman he is indirectly mimicking the way Chevalier spoke English in his native accent, including his [[SignatureLaugh famous ''"hon hon hon"'' laugh.]] It has become such a StockParody, comparable to PoirotSpeak and MockCousteau that we even included a separate page for it: MauriceChevalierAccent.

Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) was a world famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and scored many hits like ''"Valentine", "Mimi"'' and ''"Louise"''. In 1927 he moved to Hollywood, where sound films were just getting in vogue, thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond (1930), Film/LoveMeTonight (1932)'' and ''Film/{{Gigi}} (1958)''. He appeared alongside famous American movie stars of the day, including Jeanette Macdonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness (1931)'', even though [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest he didn't appear in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958). Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats (1970)'', where he sings the title song.

Chevalier's French accent has in fact become the archetype of the FunnyForeigner. Whenever a comedian imitates a Frenchman he is indirectly mimicking the way Chevalier spoke English in his native accent, including his famous ''"hon hon hon"'' laugh. It has become such a StockParody, comparable to PoirotSpeak and MockCousteau that we even included a separate page for it: MauriceChevalierAccent.

* SignatureLaugh: His often imitated ''"hon hon hon"'' laugh.

* AcademyAward: He won an honorary Academy Award in 1958.

Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) was a world famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and scored many hits like ''"Valentine", "Mimi"'' and ''"Louise"''. In 1927 he moved to Hollywood, where sound films were just getting in vogue, thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond (1930), Film/LoveMeTonight (1932)'' and ''Film/{{Gigi}} (1958)''. He appeared alongside famous American movie stars of the day, including Jeanette Macdonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness (1931)'', even though [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest he didn't appearing in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode "Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958). Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats (1970)'', where he sings the title song.

Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) was a world famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and scored many hits like ''"Valentine", "Mimi"'' and ''"Louise"''. In 1927 he moved to Hollywood, where sound films were just getting in vogue, thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond (1930), Film/LoveMeTonight (1932)'' and ''Film/{{Gigi}} (1958)''. He appeared alongside famous American movie stars of the day, including Jeanette Macdonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness (1931)'', despite [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest not appearing in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode ''"Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958)''. Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocats (1970)'', where he sings the title song.

Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) was a world famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and scored many hits like ''"Valentine", "Mimi"'' and ''"Louise"''. In 1927 he moved to Hollywood, where sound films were just getting in vogue, thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond (1930), Film/LoveMeTonight (1932)'' and ''Film/{{Gigi}} (1958)''. He appeared alongside famous American movie stars of the day, including Jeanette Macdonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness (1931)'', despite [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest not appearing in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode ''"Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958)''. Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocrats (1970)'', where he sings the title song.

Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972) was a world famous French actor and singer. He first struck fame in his native France, where he was a popular music hall star during the 1910s and 1920s and scored many hits like ''"Valentine", "Mimi"'' and ''"Louise"''. In 1927 he moved to Hollywood, where sound films were just getting in vogue, thus opening an entire market for movie musicals. Chevalier starred in many of them, including ''Film/TheLoveParade (1929), Film/TheBigPond (1930), Film/LoveMeTonight (1932)'' and ''Film/{{Gigi}} (1958)''. He appeared alongside famous American movie stars of the day, including Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Creator/ClaudetteColbert, Leslie Caron, Charles Boyer, Creator/JayneMansfield and Music/FrankSinatra. For decades Maurice Chevalier was the most famous French entertainer on the planet, easily recognizable due to his iconic yellow boater hat, tuxedo and heavy French accent. Even Creator/TheMarxBrothers built an entire comedic scene around him in ''Film/MonkeyBusiness (1931)'', despite [[InvisibleCelebrityGuest not appearing in the film at all]]. He appeared as himself in the ''Series/ILoveLucy'' episode ''"Lucy Goes To Mexico" (1958)''. Younger generations may recognize his voice from ''Disney/TheAristocrats (1970)'', where he sings the title song.

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