Eddie Constantine

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eddie Constantine, 1972
Eddie Constantine, 1972
Chart positions
Explanation of the data
Singles
L'Homme et l'enfant
  FR 1Template: Infobox chart placements / maintenance / NR1 link December 28, 1955 (11 weeks)
Give your wife red roses every now and then
  DE 7th 11/01/1955 (4 weeks)
I wish you a sleepless evening
  DE 6th December 01, 1956 (12 weeks)
The vagabond and the child
  DE 19th 01/01/1957 (4 weeks)
Dis-moi quelque chose de gentil
  BE 15th 04/01/1957 (8 weeks)
Cigarettes, whiskey and p'tites pépées
  BE 6th 06/01/1957 (32 weeks)
Oops, Eddie
  DE 27 09/01/1958 (4 weeks)
Carina
  DE 29 10/01/1959 (16 weeks)
At the Whisper Tango (& Elga Andersen )
  DE 37 05/01/1963 (8 weeks)

Eddie Constantine (born October 29, 1917 in Los Angeles as Edward Constantinowsky , † February 25, 1993 in Wiesbaden ) was an American film actor and chansonnier .

Life

His father Misha, a Russian and descendant of a Moscow opera singer, had emigrated to the USA in 1904 and then worked as a manufacturer of costume jewelery at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Hollywood . His mother Pola, née Heller, came from Poland.

Eddie grew up in Los Angeles and Providence . From 1933 to 1936 he studied singing at the Vienna Conservatory and later in New York . Constantine was a choir singer and co-founder of the vocal quintet The Five Musketeers .

In 1947 he went to London and also appeared in Paris nightclubs. During this time his first records appeared. From 1950 he performed at the Moulin Rouge in Paris . Constantine had his biggest hit in German-speaking countries in 1955 with the number Schenk Ihr Frau but now and then Rote Rosen .

Constantine made his first film appearance in Egypt by Three in 1952 . Just a year later he landed a hit with the role of FBI agent Lemmy Caution in the film Under the Spell of Blond Satan . Through this and the following films, which represented an idiosyncratic mixture of crime, agent and adventure films with humor, he became known to a broad cinema audience in the mid-1950s, especially in Germany and France. He played agents, adventurers and daredevils and several times the character of Lemmy Caution , in which he was more charming than brutal in these roles. The climax was often a brawl, celebrated in his own elegant way: Several opponents storm Eddie and at the last moment he easily takes a step back and the opponents clash with full force. He celebrated his first major success as a chanson singer in 1955 with L'homme et l'enfant on Barclay Records . The duet with his daughter sold 200,000 copies and landed at number 1 on the French charts . The German version Der Vagabund und das Kind entered the German charts in December 1956 .

In 1965 Jean-Luc Godard directed the film Lemmy Caution against Alpha 60 with Constantine in his star role. The film won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale in 1965 .

From the mid-1960s he was seen less often in these roles that had been typical for him until then. Gradually he turned into a character actor and later worked as such in films by Wim Wenders and Rainer Werner Fassbinder as well as Aki and Mika Kaurismäki . In 1969 Peter Lilienthal gave him the first character role as the aging anarchist Malatesta . In 1970 he played in Hans W. Geissendörfer's Eine Rose for Jane and in the same year with Rainer Werner Fassbinder (with whom he made two other films) in warning of a holy whore . In 1979 he was seen in Walter Bockmayer's television version of the rock opera Victor . His appearances in the cult series Kottan , in which he satirized his earlier agent roles (1982/83) , will also remain unforgettable . In 1986 he was seen in the television series Roncalli as an old circus clown. Godard brought Eddie Constantine's "(un) moving furrow visage as a map of all times" (Die Zeit) in front of the camera again for his film Deutschland Neu (n) Null 1991.

In 1975 Constantine also appeared as a writer with the publication of his novel The Favorite .

He spent his twilight years in an Art Nouveau villa in the Wiesbaden spa gardens. Eddie Constantine died in Wiesbaden in 1993 after a heart attack . Eddie was married three times and had four children with Tanya (* 1943), Barbara (* 1955), Lemmy (* 1957) and Mia (* 1981).

Homage

In March 2016, the stage play Dear Eddie had its world premiere at the Regensburg Theater , a homage to Eddie Constantine, who portrays him as a multi-talented singer, actor, writer and inventor of the agent type. His daughter Mia Constantine is directing with Ralf Schurbohm.

Filmography (selection)

  • 1952: Egypt by Three
  • 1953: Under the spell of blond Satan (La Mome vert-de-gris)
  • 1953: This man is dangerous (Cet homme est dangereux)
  • 1954: Serenade for two pistols (Les Femmes s'en balancent)
  • 1954: In the clutches of the past (Avanzi di galera)
  • 1954: Hot lips - cold steel (Votre dévoué Blake)
  • 1955: Hard fists - hot blood (Ça va barder)
  • 1955: kisses, balls and channels (Je suis un sentimental)
  • 1955: red lips - blue beans (Vous pigez)
  • 1956: Rogue Cavaliers (Les Truands)
  • 1956: Paradise of Love (Folies Bergères)
  • 1956: gangsters, drugs and blondes (L'Homme et l'enfant)
  • 1956: Bonsoir Paris (Love is sweet in Paris) (Bonsoir Paris, bonsoir, l'amour)
  • 1957: love, rags, passions (Le Grand bluff)
  • 1957: Morphine, murder and saucy moths (Ces Dames préfèrent le mambo)
  • 1958: Hot kisses - sharp shots (Incognito)
  • 1958: Oops, here comes Eddie
  • 1958: Eddie, Death and the Devil (Passport to Shame)
  • 1959: Rififi among women (Du Rififi chez les femmes)
  • 1959: Rhapsody in Lead (The Treasure of San Teresa)
  • 1959: Big Air and Hot Love (SOS Pacific)
  • 1960: Bombs on Monte Carlo
  • 1960: Eddie goes all out (Comment qu'elle est)
  • 1960: Boy, make your will (Chien de pique)
  • 1960: Whoever shoots first gets more out of life (Ca va êtra ta fête)
  • 1961: How easily it can catch your eye (Me faire ça à moi!)
  • 1961: To your health , Mr Interpol (En plein bagarre)
  • 1961: Don't shoot, darling, kiss! (Cause toujours mon lapin)
  • 1961: Eddie and the sharp turns (Une Grosse tête)
  • 1961: The Seven Deadly Sins (Les Sept pêches capitaux)
  • 1962: This is not for little girls (Lemmy pour les dames)
  • 1962: Good luck, Eddie (Bonne chance, Charlie!)
  • 1962: Give Tinder, Eddie! (L'Empire de la nuit)
  • 1963: Eddie only pats cheeky cats (Les Femmes d'abord)
  • 1963: Blue beans for dessert (À toi de faire, mignonne!)
  • 1963: Eddie - Kitties and Moneten (La tela de arana)
  • 1963: Eddie colt-correct again (Des Frissons partout)
  • 1964: Eddie, if your mother only knew (Laissez tirer les tireurs)
  • 1964: Nick Carter beats it all together (Nick Carter va tout casser)
  • 1964: Lucky Jo (Lucky Jo)
  • 1964: Eddie, Blossoms and Blondes (Ces Dames s'en mêlent)
  • 1965: From now on again precipitation (Faîtes vos jeux, mesdames)
  • 1965: Lemmy Caution against Alpha 60 (Alphaville)
  • 1965: Greetings to the Mafie (Je vous salue, Mafia!)
  • 1965: Nick Carter - Blondes for Breakfast (Nick Carter et le trèfle rouge)
  • 1966: Cards on the table (Cartes sur table)
  • 1967: Residencia para espías
  • 1969: Lion's Love (Lion's Love)
  • 1970: Malatesta
  • 1970: A Rose for Jane (TV Movie)
  • 1971: Warning of a holy hooker
  • 1971: Supergirl - The Girl from the Stars
  • 1971: False suspicion
  • 1973: Welt on the wire
  • 1975: The second spring
  • 1976: Who Know No Mercy (Raid on Entebbe)
  • 1978: The Cradle of Satan (It Lives Aiagin)
  • 1978: Victor (TV movie)
  • 1978: Two Heavenly Daughters (TV series) Episode 3: A cowboy to Spain
  • 1979: the third generation
  • 1979: The Idiot in the Background (TV movie)
  • 1980: Rififi on Good Friday (The Long Good Friday)
  • 1980: Car-napping - ordered - stolen - delivered
  • 1980: Exit - don't panic
  • 1980: Panic times
  • 1981: Tango through Germany
  • 1981: Freak Orlando
  • 1982: the snoop
  • 1982: Red love - Vasilisa
  • 1982: Kottan investigated (TV series)
  • 1983: The Mikado Project - In a Secret Passion
  • 1984: The Baroness (La Baronesse)
  • 1986: Roncalli (TV series)
  • 1987: Frankenstein's Aunt (TV series)
  • 1987: Helsinki – Napoli - All Night Long (Helsinki Napoli - All night long)
  • 1989: Europe, in the evening
  • 1991: Europe (Europe)
  • 1991: Germany Neu (n) Null (Allemagne 90 neuf zéro)

Discography

  • 1951: Petite Si Jolie / Si, Si, Si (with Edith Piaf )
  • 1953: Et Bailler Et Dormir / Ce Diable Noir
  • 1953: Give your wife (but roses every now and then) / The old Swede (who kisses everyone)
  • 1954: The way to your heart / With a small cup of tea (Pretend)
  • 1954: L'Enfant De La Balle / Ca Me Démange / Les Trottoirs / Je T'aime Comme Ca
  • 1954: Et Bailler, Et Dormir / La Fille Des Bois / Le Soudard / Le Gaucho
  • 1954: Ma Belle Medemoiselle / You stay with me
  • 1954: Ca Bardait / Bientôt Le Soleil
  • 1954: Ah! Les Femmes / Les Amoureux Du Havre
  • 1955: Oh, the women / Everyone takes a break
  • 1955: Gina / Why do I have to love you
  • 1955: L'homme Et L'enfant (with Tania Constantine ) / Gina
  • 1955: Merci, Monsieur Schubert / C'est Inoui La Veine Que J'aie
  • 1955: Mon Ami Réveille Toi / Old Man River
  • 1955: Je Suis Un Sentimental / Laisse-Moi Rêver ... De Toi
  • 1956: Je Prends Les Choses Du Bon Coté with ( Juliette Gréco ) / Rock, Rock / Ce N'est Pas Toujours Drôle Le Cinema
  • 1956: The Vagabond And The Child / Yes Such A Sailor Has It But Wonderful (Sailor Rock)
  • 1956: She is so beautiful / I wish you a sleepless evening
  • 1956: Dis-moi Quelque Chose De Gentil / Et Tout Ça / La Valse / Vous Mon Coeur
  • 1956: Hop Didui-di / Venise / Quand Les Hommes Vivrons D'Amour / Le Rock Du Marin
  • 1957: Ronde, Ronde, Ronde (Round And Round) / Pour Garder Le Tempo / Mon Amour / Le Tendre Piege
  • 1957: Cigarettes, Whiskey Et P'Tites Pépées / Mon Bon Vieux Phono / Laisse Tomber / Le Grand Bluff
  • 1957: Le Scaphandrier / Ma Petite Voleuse / Au Loin Dans la Plaine / Tous Mes Restes Passés
  • 1957: Il Ne Verra Plus Les Antilles / Quand T'Auras Mangé Ta Soupe
  • 1957: La Ballade Des Truands / L'aventure
  • 1958: You are my dearest guest / I can never sleep
  • 1958: Mes Pieds / Si Ma Vie Recommençait
  • 1958: Paris Bohème / Je Suis-Tu Es
  • 1958: I kiss your hand, Madame / Yes, if you kiss a Parisian woman
  • 1959: Hello, beautiful woman! / Oops, Eddie!
  • 1959: My compliments, Madame / Lyon
  • 1959: S'il Y En A Pour Un / Les Mauvais Coups / Si, Si, Si, Bien / Jamais, Jamais Plus
  • 1959: Tu Joues Avec Le Feu / Attention A La Femme / Quand Tu Viens Chez Moi Mon Coeur / Il N'Y A Que Toi Pour Faire Ca
  • 1959: Do not look into the light / When love rules the world
  • 1959: Bonjour, Berlin / Tell your wife that she is the most beautiful
  • 1959: Le Reve Est Plus Loin / Ravissante
  • 1959: Donne, donne / Ce bon dieu d'Amour / C'est a peine croyable / L'ennui
  • 1959: Carina / Hundred Thousand Love Letters
  • 1960: Auf Wiederseh'n Amore / Ich Sing 'Amore
  • 1960: This is the sailors' love / One night in Monte Carlo
  • 1960: L'Amitié C'Est Ca / Hello Bonjour / J'Ai Des Tics / J'En Ai Marre (EP with Raymond Lefèvre )
  • 1960: Spécialisation / Aimons-Nous = Let's Make Love with (EP with Gillian Hills )
  • 1963: At Whispering Tango / Today Drehn Wir Mal Ein Ding, Marcel (single with Elga Andersen )
  • 1965: Des Frissons Partout / Rien Ne Vaut Un Bon Whiskey / Plus Fort Qu'on Imagine / Hey Mr Caution
  • 1972: Cet Homme / Petite Fille De Vingt Ans
  • 1974: Quand Tu As Des Sous / Je Cherche Une Femme
  • 1974: Fais Pas Cette Tête Là! / Jenny Jenny
  • 1974: Mon Enfant / Le Parapluie
  • 1975: Little Lady / It Was A Dream
  • 1976: Hit parade
  • 1987: The Honeymoon Is Over / The Show Must Go On ( single with Barbarella )

bibliography

  • 1975: The Favorite (Le Proprietaire)

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Charts DE
  2. ↑ Charts BE
  3. ↑ Ilse Aichinger : Film and Doom: Flash lights on a life . 3. Edition. FISCHER paperback, 2003, ISBN 3-596-15659-9 ( Google book search ).
  4. ↑ Eddie Constantine American-French film actor. In: munzinger.de. Munzinger Archive , accessed on July 2, 2018 .
  5. ↑ Eddie Constantine plays with Resetarits: Lemmy Caution at Kottan's . In: Arbeiter-Zeitung . Vienna November 28, 1981, p. 28 ( berufer-zeitung.at - the open online archive - digitized).
  6. ↑ The agent who preferred to sing , Beatrix Novy on Deutschlandfunk , October 29, 2017
  7. ↑ Dear Eddie . ( Memento from October 30, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Theater Regensburg, accessed on July 2, 2018.
  8. ↑ Mia Constantine recalls Father Eddie , Peter Geiger on: Mittelbayrische on March 10, 2016
personal data
SURNAME Constantine, Eddie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Constantinowsky, Edward (maiden name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American film actor and chansonnier
DATE OF BIRTH October 29, 1917
PLACE OF BIRTH Los Angeles , California , USA
DATE OF DEATH February 25, 1993
Place of death Wiesbaden , Germany