Jean Lefebvre’s Tribute to a French Film Legend: The Essence of Simplicity

Jean Lefebvre often paid tribute to those who left a significant mark on his career, including the renowned star Bourvil. The actor from “Les Tontons flingueurs” was full of praise for the performer of Antoine Maréchal in “Le Corniaud,” as evidenced by this snippet from an interview available on TikTok:

“He once told me something that really struck me”

“He was a man of simple means who didn’t take himself too seriously. I loved Bourvil because he once told me something that really struck me. He said, ‘I would have never believed I could have reached the level I have.’ And I feel the same about myself. He also said, ‘You see, we must have a lot of respect for the audience, because not only do we give them pleasure, but they bring us a great deal of joy as well.’

Lefebvre worked with the star of “La Grande Vadrouille” on three occasions. Their first collaboration was in 1958 in Marc Allégret’s “Un drôle de dimanche,” where Lefebvre played a minor role as a receptionist and Bourvil was the leading man opposite Danielle Darrieux. Then came “Un clair de lune à Maubeuge” by Jean Chérasse in 1962, but the two did not share screen time, and finally, the lesser-known “Trois enfants… dans le désordre” by Léo Joannon in 1966, where they finally shared top billing.

This gave them more opportunities to interact, including at the film set’s canteen:

“Bourvil never ate at the canteen”

“There was something wonderful: [Bourvil] never ate at the canteen. He would bring his own lunchbox. I had asked him why he didn’t come to the canteen. He told me, ‘Because I only eat the food prepared by my wife, as she makes extraordinary meals, and you’ll understand why. Tomorrow, don’t go to the canteen; I will ask my wife to prepare a lunchbox for you.’ The next day, he brought two lunchboxes, and I must admit, I had an extraordinary meal.”