Albert Préjean


[image:Tombe Albert Préjean, Cimetière d'Auteuil, Paris.jpg|thumb|]
Albert Préjean was a French actor, primarily in film. He served in World War I, and was decorated with the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour. With Lysiane Rey, he was the father of Patrick Préjean, and grandfather of Laura Préjean.

Early life

Préjean was born on 27 October 1894 in Paris.

Career

Préjean shot his first five films with French director Henri Diamant-Berger between 1921 and 1923. The roles he played tended to embody the leading man for the people, generous and strong. His most lasting fame stems from his work in the films of René Clair that transition from the silent to the sound eras. These include most notably the farce Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie and the musicalized melancomic Sous les toits de Paris. When German director G. W. Pabst directed the film version of the huge Brecht-Weill musical hit Die Dreigroschenoper in 1931, he simultaneously shot a French-language version with a French lead cast. Préjean was given the coveted lead role of the underworld kingpin Mackie Messer.
In 1929, he directed a medium-length film L'Aventure de Luna-Park with Daniele Parola. In addition to acting, he was also a popular singer in the 1930s. He sang songs like "La Valse to Dede Montmartre".

World War II

During World War II he continued to act in films. In March 1942, he joined a group of actors who at the invitation of the Germans visited film studios in Berlin. This was alongside French actors and actresses such as René Dary, Astor Junie, Viviane Romance, Suzy Delair and Danielle Darrieux.
He recollected his memories in a book published in 1979 with the help of his son, voice actor Patrick Préjean.

Death

Préjean died on 1 November 1979 in Paris.

Selected filmography

Le Miracle des loups The Phantom of the Moulin Rouge The Crazy Ray The Imaginary Voyage Mademoiselle's Chauffeur The Italian Straw Hat Verdun: Visions of History Les Nouveaux Messieurs The Shark Under the Roofs of Paris L'Opéra de quat'sous Amourous Adventure A Son from America Madame Makes Her Exit Sailor's Song Honeymoon Trip Toto Theodore and Company Volga in Flames The Princess's Whim The Crisis is Over One Night's Secret Gold in the Street Moses and Solomon, Perfumers Paris Camargue Honeymoon Dédé Princess Tam Tam Jenny The Alibi In Venice, One Night Mollenard Unknown of Monte Carlo Metropolitan Place de la Concorde Cristobal's Gold Strange Suzy Caprices