Trivia / La Chienne

• Life Imitates Art: Michel Simon, who played Maurice, really did fall in love with Janie Marèse, who played Lulu, but she was in love with Georges Flamant, who played André. Jean Renoir encouraged Flamant and Marèse's relationship to get the performances he wanted out of his three leads. Unfortunately, after filming wrapped, Marèse was killed in a car accident at the age of 23 while on a driving holiday with Flamant;^note  Relative novice driver Flamant was at the wheel for the accident; he survived, but became a pariah in the French film community for several years thereafter. His career and personal life eventually recovered; his final appearance was a minor role in The 400 Blows. Simon fainted at her funeral and had to be supported as he walked past her grave. He blamed Renoir for Marèse's death and threatened him with a gun; Renoir reportedly said, "Kill me if you like, but I have made the film."

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