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The distinguished film director Anatole Litvak was born in the Ukrainian city of Kiev, the son of Jewish parents. His very first job was as a stage hand. In 1915, he became an actor, performing at a little-known experimental theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. As a teenager, he witnessed the 1917 Russian Revolution and the consequent nationalization of all theaters and drama schools. It was at this time Litvak decided to quit the stage and join the burgeoning Soviet film industry. He was given a job at the Leningrad Nordkino studio as a set designer, but, before long, he worked his way up to directing short features, notably Tatiana (1925), a film about children.

In 1925, he left the Soviet Union for Berlin and was hired by the renowned director Georg Wilhelm Pabst to edit The Joyless Street (1925) starring Greta Garbo. He then began directing numerous short films for Ufa, and, eventually, moved on to full-length features. The most important of these was the romantic comedy Dolly macht Karriere (1930). Litvak's stay in Germany was cut short by the rise to power of Adolf Hitler. Litvak moved to France, and directed Mayerling (1936), starring Charles Boyer and Danielle Darrieux. This production was the turning point in Litvak's career, being a major hit on both sides of the Atlantic. He received effusive praise from critic Frank S. Nugent of the New York Times, who commented on the director's "superb assembling of scenes" and the "matchless performances" of the stars (September 14,1937). Hollywood soon beckoned, and, from 1937 to 1941, Litvak became a contract director for Warner Brothers. His first film was The Woman I Love (1937), which starred his future wife Miriam Hopkins. His experience with diverse aspects of stagecraft, as well as his fluency in four languages (Russian, German, French and English), enabled him to competently tackle a wide variety of subjects: from sophisticated continental comedy (Tovarich (1937)) to historical drama (Anastasia (1956)) and romance (All This, and Heaven Too (1940)).

Litvak was at his best directing taut, suspenseful crime dramas, such as The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938) with Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart, hailed by Variety as "an unquestionable winner"; and two tough action films starring John Garfield: Castle on the Hudson (1940) and Out of the Fog (1941). Having become an American citizen in 1940, Litvak enlisted in the US army and collaborated with Frank Capra on the wartime "Why we Fight" series of documentaries. At war's end he left the army with the rank of colonel and returned to Hollywood to direct the classic thriller Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) with Barbara Stanwyck. Arguably his best film was the superb psychological drama The Snake Pit (1948), Hollywood's first attempt to seriously examine the treatment of mental illness. Indeed, the film was so influential that it precipitated changes in the American mental health system. Litvak was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Director, but lost out to John Huston for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948).

In 1949, the director -- who had once described Hollywood as a "Mecca" -- returned to Europe and settled in Paris, working only infrequently. He undertook several projects under contract to 20th Century Fox (in 1951, and from 1955 to 1956). Notable among his later efforts are two contrasting films with Ingrid Bergman: the lavishly produced Anastasia (1956), about a woman claiming to be the Romanoff dynasty's last living direct descendant; and the moody, introspective romantic drama Goodbye Again (1961), shot on location in Paris. In stark thematic contrast to these, he also directed the suspenseful wartime thriller The Night of the Generals (1967), starring Peter O'Toole.

Anatole Litvak died in a hospital in Neuilly, Paris, in December 1974 at the age of 72.

Pierre Fresnay was born on 4 April 1897 in Paris, France. He was an actor and writer, known for The Grand Illusion (1937), The Murderer Lives at Number 21 (1942) and Monsieur Vincent (1947). He was married to Berthe Bovy and Rachel Bérendt. He died on 9 January 1975 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Alexander Salkind is the legendary film producer. His father, Michael Salkind, was also a well-known, successful film producer. Also known as Alex Salkind, he was the father of Ilya Salkind. They were partners for decades, teaming up on the hits The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974), and taking credit for producing the first "comic book movie" with the blockbuster Superman (1978), which they followed with Superman II (1980) and Superman III (1983).

Together, the Salkinds are possibly one of the most successful father/son producing teams in motion picture history.

Orson Welles once called beloved French character star Raimu (né Jules Auguste Cesar Muraire) "the greatest actor who ever lived." It is hard to argue the compliment of one genius to another.

The jowly, cigar-chomping comedian was born in Toulon, France on December 17, 1883 of very humble means, his father making ends meet as an upholsterer. Raimu began his stage career at age 16 as a music hall extra imitating famous French comic idols. Using the stage name of Raimut (he later dropped the "t"), he eventually gained a following in dance halls, cafe concerts, nightclubs and pubs as an entertainer but cemented his reputation on the Parisian comedy stages. Around this time, he also began to appear in minor roles in silent film shorts (1911-1917), but nothing much came from them and he left the screen.

Continuing to thrive on the live stage, Raimu's serious intentions as an actor were solidified with the 1929 stage production of the Marcel Pagnol play "Marius," which told story of a wanderlust sailor, his wife Fanny and father César. Raimu transferred the role of César brilliantly to the film trilogy Marius (1931), Fanny (1932) and César (1936) all co-starring Pierre Fresnay as Marius and Orane Demazis as Fanny. He went on to work with Pagnol quite frequently.

Closely identifying himself with the iron-willed working class, Raimu swayed quite effectively from humor to great pathos in characters that reminded one in looks and flavor of a grubby, weary-looking Honoré de Balzac. Immortalized in Pagnol's trilogy, arguably celebrated as the greatest series ever put together, Raimu continued to charm in primarily 1930's social comedies. His star role with leads in Le blanc et le noir (1931), La petite chocolatière (1932), Mam'zelle Nitouche (1931), Théodore et Cie (1933), the title roles in Charlemagne (1933) and Tartarin de Tarascon (1934), The King (1936), Let's Make a Dream (1936), Confessions of a Newlywed (1937), Heroes of the Marne (1938), Monsieur Brotonneau (1939) and Noix de coco (1939). For his superb work in both Julien Duvivier's Un carnet de bal (1937) and Pagnol's The Baker's Wife (1938), he won the National Board of Review award.

Along the way Raimu worked with a host of legendary directors including Marc Allégret, Henri Decoin, Alexander Esway and Sacha Guitry. His film popularity continued to soar into the war years with roles in Pagnol's The Well-Digger's Daughter (1940), as well as The Man Who Seeks the Truth (1940), Strangers in the House (1942), Midnight in Paris (1942), Little Nothings (1941), The Heart of a Nation (1943) and the title role in Balzac's Le colonel Chabert (1943). He also returned to the theatre in such productions as "The Bourgeois Gentleman" and "The Imaginary Invalid."

Raimu returned to filming following the war with Hoboes in Paradise (1946) co-starring Fernandel. In March of 1946, while shooting his next post-war film The Eternal Husband (1946), he was involved in a car accident that would require some surgery. The 62-year-old actor died of a heart attack on September 20th following an allergic reaction to anesthesia while on the table for a minor leg operation. The outpouring of grief felt by his native country was monumental.

Survived by wife (from 1936) Esther Metayer (1905-1977) and daughter, Paulette Brun (1925-1992). Raimu was laid to rest in a cemetery in the town where he was born. In 1961, the French government placed his image on an honorary postage stamp.

Born in Caracas, young Elena (later to become Héléna) miraculously survived an earthquake there. She found a new home at an uncle's in New York City first, and later at another relative's in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. A very early theater enthusiast, Manson trained as an actress at the Conservatoire de Genève. She was soon hired by the prestigious Pitoëff company and appeared as the ingénue in the famous French-speaking production of Pirandello's "Six Personnages en Quête d'Auteur". Among her numerous plays, let's quote "La Tournée des Aveux" (as the 23-year-old spinster) by the side of Louis Jouvet, "Romeo et Juliette (playing Lady Capulet) in 1937 and, more recently, "L'infâme" with Roger Planchon (in which she was the mother of the monstrous curé d'Uruffe). On the other hand she gave a poetry recital in several Swiss towns titled "De Villon à nos Jours". On the screen, big or small, she appeared more than a hundred times and performed dubbing in hosts of French versions of foreign movies. Little known by the public she was very much in demand as an always dependable supporting actress. Her portrayal of Marie Corbin, the wrongly accused nurse in Clouzot's "Le Corbeau" will be forever remembered.

Madeleine Renaud was born on 21 February 1900 in Paris, Ile-de-France, France. She was an actress, known for The Longest Day (1962), Stormy Waters (1941) and Hélène (1936). She was married to Jean-Louis Barrault and Charles Granval. She died on 23 September 1994 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Marcelle Pradot was born on 27 July 1901 in Montmorency, Val-d'Oise, Île-de-France, France. She was an actress, known for The Late Mathias Pascal (1925), L'inhumaine (1924) and Le bercail (1919). She was married to Marcel L'Herbier. She died on 24 June 1982 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

French actress Renée Saint-Cyr became synonymous with chic comedy and costumed drama, enjoying major success for nearly seven decades before her death after an attack of bronchitis at age 99. Over the years she equipped herself well opposite the established talents of Raymond Rouleau, Jules Berry, Raimu, Noël-Noël, Harry Baur, Pierre Brasseur and Paul Meurisse.

Born Marie Louise Eugénie Vittore on November 16, 1904, and the daughter of a hotel owner and opera singer, Renée was a one-time model who married Charles Leopold Lautner (1894-1938), a wealthy man, at age 21 before entering the acting leagues. After studies at a drama school in Marseilles, she made her film bow starring as one of The Two Orphans (1933) co-starring Rosine Deréan, based on the Gish sisters' silent classic Orphans of the Storm (1921). She took on Lillian's role and would adopt the moniker of Saint-Cyr, supposedly taken from a beloved canine.

Saint-Cyr's alluring beauty, patrician demeanor, and comedic skills gave her great momentum co-starring in such chic 1930's film comedies as Toto (1933), D'amour et d'eau fraîche (1933), Une fois dans la vie (1934) (Once in a Lifetime), Le dernier milliardaire (1934), Paris (1937), L'école des cocottes (1935), Donogoo (1936), Paris (1937) and The Pearls of the Crown (1937), as well as the dramas 27 rue de la Paix (1936) and Marked Girls (1938).

Renée also graced the stage during this time in a production of "The Threepenny Opera," among others. She nixed an offer to sign with 20th Century-Fox, but did star in England's Strange Boarders (1938) and Italy's Red Roses (1940) (Red Roses) co-starring Vittorio De Sica. Into the 1940s war years, she starred in such popular film vehicles as the Hector Berlioz biopic La symphonie fantastique (1942) (The Fantastic Symphony), the title dramatic roles in Marie-Martine (1943) and Paméla (1945), plus Pierre et Jean (1943), Étrange destin (1946) and L'insaisissable Frédéric (1946).

Saint-Cyr left films after shooting The Knight of the Night (1953), Il cavaliere di Maison Rouge (1954) (The Glorious Avenger) (as Marie Antoinette) and Si Paris nous était conté (1956) (as Empress Eugénie}, but returned into the next decade with La Cocktail Party (1960) and Lafayette (1962). By this time, her only child, Georges Lautner, had become an influential film writer and director and had begun churning out a series of standard genre movies that occasionally featured Renee in the cast. Such films included The Monocle (1964), Fleur d'oseille (1967), Quelques messieurs trop tranquilles (1973), Now We've Seen It All! (1976), Ils sont fous ces sorciers (1978), My Other Husband (1983), Room Service (1992).

Jacques Berthier was born on 10 February 1916 in Paris, France. He was an actor and director, known for The Master of Ballantrae (1953), Quai Notre-Dame (1961) and The Three Musketeers: Part I - The Queen's Diamonds (1961). He died on 6 April 2008 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Pierre Cardin was born on July 7, 1922, near Venice, Italy, to the parents of French origin. His father was a wine maker and was preparing his son to take over the family trade. Young Cardin was fond of ballet and theatre, he was dreaming of an acting career, and was also fascinated with the beauty of costumes and stage designs. In 1936, at the age of 14, he started as a tailor's assistant. In 1945 Cardin moved to Paris, France. There he studied architecture and worked with Paquin, then with Schiaparelli.

In 1945 Cardin met Jean Cocteau and Christian Berard with whom he made numerous costumes and masks for several films, such as 'Beauty and the Beast' (1946). In 1947 he began to work for 'Christian Dior'. In 1950 Cardin created his own fashion house on Rue Richepanse in Paris. He presented his first collection in 1953, and a year later his "bubble dresses" triumphed throughout the world. At that time Cardin opened his first boutiques in Paris: EVE, then ADAM. In 1957 he made his first trip to Japan and taught there, becoming the first couturier to turn to Japan as a high fashion market. Since 1962 the Pierre Cardin Prize has been awarded to the world's best designer of the year. Also that year Cardin started distribution of Men's Ready-to-Wear, following with the same for women in 1963. From 1989-1994 a retrospective covering 40 years of Cardin's designs was presented in London, Montreal, Mexico, and Kyoto. In 1991 Cardin presented a fashion show in Moscow before a crowd of 200,000. In 1997 a retrospective exhibit of 50 years of Cardin opened in Paris, then moved to Tokyo and Florence. Some of his designs were influenced by the art of his friends, such as Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso among others.

Pierre Cardin has been a French fashion industry icon since his earliest collections of the 50's and 60's. He became known for his bold, "cosmic", futuristic designs. He was among the first to create a designer line that promoted environmental issues, called "Environmental art." An astute international businessman, Cardin has never borrowed from a bank. He auto-financed everything and reinvested his profits in property. Pierre Cardin's name is on hundreds of products, including men's wear, perfumes, watches, floor tiles, furniture, and others. His business empire extends to more than one hundred countries and indirectly provides employment to almost 200,000 people in hundreds of factories. Cardin's products are consumed by 150 million people across the world and make his business empire about 12 billion dollars in annual sales. Cardin holds over 500 patents in design, architecture, advertisement, and entertainment. He collaborated with director Mark Zakharov and ballerina Maya Plisetskaya in stage and film productions in Moscow, Russia. In 1998 Cardin created the "Chekhov's women" collection in commemoration of the Centennial anniversary of the Moscow Art Theatre.

Cardin's legendary personal modesty has been complementing his graceful generosity. He was appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1991. He continuously supported World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention programs of UNESCO. Mr. Cardin has initiated numerous humanitarian projects such as campaign for the benefit of victims of Chernobyl nuclear disaster. He designed the CHERNOBYL medal and jewelery for the benefit of UNESCO. He is a global traveler with a mission to spread the message of brotherhood and unity across the world. In 1995, the Year of Tolerance, Cardin created six flags that were raised over the Place de la Concorde in Paris.

Pierre Cardin is internationally regarded as a visionary and leader in art, business, and public diplomacy. He received three "De d'Or" by Cartier for French Haut Couture, in 1977, 1979, and 1982. Mr. Cardin is the elected member of Institut de France and Officer of the Legion of Honor. He is the owner of Maxim's and Espace Cardin Gallery on Champs-Elysees in Paris. He is living in Paris, France.

Foun-Sen was born on 28 February 1915 in Giap Bat, Tonkin, French Indochina [now Giap Bat, Vietnam]. She was an actress, known for Yoshiwara (1937), La dame de Malacca (1937) and Singapore, Singapore (1967). She was married to Léo Joannon. She died on 5 February 1989 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Ève Francis was born on 24 August 1886 in Saint Josse ten Node, Brussels, Belgium. She was an actress and assistant director, known for L'inondation (1924), Eldorado (1921) and Yamilé sous les cèdres (1939). She was married to Louis Delluc. She died on 6 December 1980 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Marthe Mussine was born on 11 January 1905 in Paris, Ile-de-France, France. She was an actress, known for L'assommoir (1933), Un soir au cocktail's bar (1929) and Casanova (1934). She died on 25 May 1983 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Marion Delbo was born on 10 February 1901 in Aiguebelle, Savoie, Rhône-Alpes, France. She was an actress, known for Le jugement de minuit (1933), L'hôtel du libre échange (1934) and Club de femmes (1936). She was married to Henri Jeanson. She died on 14 July 1969 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Geneviève Guitry was born on 3 May 1914 in Saint-Just-en-Chaussée, Oise, Picardie, France. She was an actress, known for Mlle. Desiree (1942), Ils étaient neuf célibataires (1939) and Plume la poule (1947). She was married to Sacha Guitry. She died on 6 July 1963 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Maurice Aubergé was born on 21 October 1910 in Orléans, Loiret, France. He was a writer and actor, known for Paris Frills (1945), The Truth About Bebe Donge (1952) and The Lebanese Mission (1956). He died on 3 May 1974 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

André Castelot was born on 23 January 1911 in Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium. He was a writer and producer, known for The Count of Monte Cristo (1979), Napoléon II, l'aiglon (1961) and Le grand cirque (1949). He died on 18 July 2004 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Albert Robida was born on 14 March 1848 in Compiègne, Oise, Picardie, France. He was a writer, known for The Extraordinary Adventures of Saturnino Farandola (1913) and Saturnino Farandola (1977). He died on 11 October 1926 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Ile-de-France, France.

Jane Rhodes was born on 13 March 1929 in Paris, France. She was an actress, known for Un mari, c'est un mari (1976), Le couronnement de Poppée (1961) and The Drama of Carmen (1962). She was married to Roberto Benzi. She died on 7 May 2011 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Claude Bouchinet-Serreulles was born on 26 January 1912 in Paris, Ile-de-France, France. He was married to Janine Raynaud and Marie-Hélène Blanchy. He died on 8 December 2000 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Alfred Athis was born on 15 August 1873 in Warsaw, Poland, Russian Empire [now Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland]. He was a writer, known for Le costaud des Épinettes (1923), Amants et voleurs (1935) and Les deux canards (1934). He was married to Marthe Paula Geneviève Mellot. He died on 12 August 1932 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Jacques Barrot was born on 3 February 1937 in Yssingeaux, Haute-Loire, France. He died on 3 December 2014 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.

Jean-Bernard Raimond was born on 6 February 1926 in Paris, Ile-de-France, France. He died on 7 March 2016 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France.