Photo,
left: Mistinguett’s Poster as a Recording Artist at Columbia. Photo, right:
Mistinguett’s Poster as the Star of “Theatre Mogador”
After
the second world war, “Le Casino de Paris” adopted a new formula and a new
style of variety shows. To some, it was an innovative artistic creativity
needed to metamorphose with the change of time. To many others, it was a
betrayal. What we see today at the Casino is a faithful continuation of the
1946’s shows and spectacles and to a certain extent to the concept developed
in 1941. In 1959, Line Renaud made her débuts at the Casino. More shows were
added and constantly revised. They grew in variety and size. Some of the
musical shows had 110 performers, dancers, singers and artistes on stage!
In
1970, Zizi Jeanmaire was the superstar of « Le Casino de Paris ». She
starred in the variety show of Roland Petit. In 1975, Petit leaves the
Casino. Jean Bauchet, a veteran of Cabarets and ex-director of operations
and entertainment at “Le Moulin Rouge”, “Casino de Marrakech” and
“Tabarin” began to worry about the future of the Casino which was left
without headliners and major stars. Line Renaud and her husband Louis
Gasté began to reshape the variete shows. Because Line Renaud was highly
respected in the showbiz and her name was familiar to the public,
customers began to return to the Casino. Unfortunately, in 1978, the
Casino’s proceeds began to drop drastically. And finally, on January 5,
1980, the Casino went out of business.
In1982,
the Casino reopened its door. A
new
concept is born: No more nudity shows, no more women, no more prima
donnas. Jazz and Rock N Roll take over. In fact, anything that might help
the Casino is considered. No more consideration is exclusively given to
Parisian traditional shows. Thus, American Jazz Music, “Le Boogie-Woogie”,
Rock mixed with ballets from the Opera of Rome, and appearances by old
icons like Tino Rossi (who was already 75 year old) will do the trick.
Surprisingly enough, the formula worked. Particularly the show of Tino
Rossi who brought back a flair of nostalgia and romance. Encouraged by
this success, the Casino’s management began to incorporate large American
productions and Broadway’s musicals like “Hair”. In 1984, the Casino
officially adopted this formula. It is still implemented to this day.
Photo: Juliette Greco.
.
Line Renaud Line Renaud Tino Rossi Nicole Croisille