Maurice Chevalier ~ Issued by Ramses Cigarettes, circa early-1930s, card #324 of the Film Fotos series. Card is larger than a traditional British or American cigarette card but smaller than a typical modern American trading card (slightly over 1½"x2¼"). Excellent condition, see my scan.

Maurice Chevalier's first working job was as an acrobat, until a severe accident turned him toward singing and making pictures, that is, short films in France, the year being 1908. He joined the French Army in World War I, but was wounded, captured, and imprisoned by the Germans. While in prison, he learned the English language from fellow prisoners. After the war, he returned to making French films. When Hollywood started to make talkies, Maurice felt he had to be there and left for America in 1928. In 1929, Chevalier was matched up with the beautiful operatic singer/actress, Jeanette MacDonald to make the movie, Love Parade. Chevalier was immediately attracted to MacDonald, and "made the moves on her" - she rejected him (she only had eyes for Gene Raymond her future husband). Maurice, who considered himself a catch, was not used to being rejected by his female co-stars, called Jeanette a "prude," she called him the "quickest derriere pincher in Hollywood." They made three more pictures together, the most successful being, Love Me Tonight (1932). In the late 1930's, Maurice returned to Europe, making several French and English films. World War II interrupted his career for he was accused of being a Nazi collaborator - later being vindicated. In the 1950's, he returned to Hollywood, he was older and gray-headed. He made the movie Gigi (1958), this gave him his signature songs, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls," and "I Remember it Well." He also received a special Oscar that year. In the 1960's, he continued to make a few more films, and in 1970, he sang the title song for Walt Disney's, Aristocats. This marked his last contribution to the film industry.

This lot consists of a genuine German cigarette premium issued between about 1930 and 1937. In general, German cigarette cards and premiums make an interesting and inexpensive addition to any collection. The Nazi government of Germany opposed smoking and eventually put an end to cigarette cards. As a result, the native German card collecting hobby never developed to the extent of that in Britain or the United States. As a result, most German premiums and cards cost only a fraction of what might be expected from their American and British cousins.

Large photos are shown smaller than actual size while small ones are generally enlarged to as much as twice their original size. Almost all photos and cards are scanned through protective sleeves or pages which tends to cut the clarity a bit. Enlarged defects tend to look worse than they actually are.