Tristan Bernard

Tristan Bernard (7 September 1866 – 7 December 1947) was a French playwright, novelist, journalist and lawyer.

Life

He studied law, and after his military service, he started his career as the manager of an aluminium smelter. In the 1890s, he managed the Vélodrome de la Seine at Levallois-Perret and the Vélodrome Buffalo, events that were an integral part of Parisian life, being regularly attended by personalities such as Toulouse-Lautrec. He reputedly introduced the bell to signify the last lap of a race.

He identified as an anarchist.

During the Occupation Bernard was arrested in the South of France in September 1943 because he was Jewish, and sent to the Drancy camp. Thanks to the efforts of his friends Sacha Guitry and Arletty he was released a few weeks later.

Famous for his wit, Bernard was also a crossword creator.

Filmography

Jeanne Doré, directed by Louis Mercanton and René Hervil (1915, based on the play Jeanne Doré)

The Love Cheat, directed by George Archainbaud (1919, based on the play Le Danseur inconnu)

The Little Cafe, directed by Raymond Bernard (1919, based on the play The Little Cafe)

Triplepatte, directed by Raymond Bernard (1922, based on the play Triplepatte)

Le Costaud des épinettes, directed by Raymond Bernard (1923, based on the play Le Costaud des épinettes)

Kiss Me, directed by Robert Péguy (1929, based on the play Embrassez-moi)

The Unknown Dancer, directed by René Barberis (1929, based on the play Le Danseur inconnu)

Playboy of Paris, directed by Ludwig Berger (1930, based on the play The Little Cafe)