Viviane Romance

Strikingly beautiful French leading lady (Miss Paris of 1930) who first appeared on stage at the age of 13 at the Theatre Sarah-Bernhardt, then did some modelling work and a year later joined the chorus line of the Moulin Rouge. She also performed the 'can-can' at the legendary Parisian nightclub Bal Tabarin. Her breakthrough came, when she was signed by the director 'Jean Renoir' (qv) for a bit part in the film _La Chienne (1931)_ (qv). From the mid-1930s she was given leading roles roles, usually as the femme fatale, best exemplified by 'Jean Gabin' (qv)'s faithless wife in Duvivier's _They Were Five (1936)_ (qv). This established her as a bankable star and she was much in demand for other portrayals of courtesans, kind-hearted prostitutes and alluring exotics. One of her best films was the film noir _Panique (1946)_ (qv). She also starred in the title role of _Carmen (1944)_ (qv).Eschewing offers from Hollywood, Viviane continued acting in French and Italian films during the 1950s. When her popularity began to wane she went into production with her then-husband 'Clément Duhour' (qv), but without much success. Suffering considerable financial hardship, Viviane had a lengthy absence from the screen but eventually re-appeared on television in the early 1970s and finished her career with a noteworthy role as Madame Gabrielle in 'Claude Chabrol' (qv)'s _Nada (1974)_ (qv).::I.S.Mowis