Marcel Varnel

Marcel Varnel (16 October 1892 – 13 July 1947) was a French film director, notable for his career in the United States and England as a director of plays and films.

Biography

He was born Marcel Hyacinthe le Bozec in Paris, France.

Varnel started his working life on the Paris stage, soon becoming a director of musical comedies. In 1925, he moved to New York City, working as director in several Broadway operettas, musicals and dramas for the Shubert family. This was followed by a move to Hollywood, where he directed three low budget thrillers.

In 1934, he moved to England and it was as a director of British comedies – initially working at British International Pictures, Elstree, then moving in 1936 to Gainsborough Pictures – where he produced his best films. Among the performers he worked with were Will Hay, The Crazy Gang, Arthur Askey and George Formby.

He died on 13 July 1947 in a car crash near Rake, West Sussex.

Films The Silent Witness (1932) (U.S.A.) – Director Chandu the Magician (1932) (U.S.A.) – Director Infernal Machine (1933) (U.S.A.) – Director Freedom Of The Seas (1934) – Director Girls Will Be Boys (1934) – Director I Give My Heart (1935) – Director Dance Band (1935) – Director Royal Cavalcade also known as Regal Cavalcade in the U.S.A. (1935) – Director No Monkey Business (1936) – Director Public Nuisance No. 1 (1936) – Director All In (1936) – Director Okay For Sound (1936) – Director Good Morning, Boys (1937) – Director Oh, Mr Porter! (1937) – Director Convict 99 (1938) – Director Hey! Hey! USA! (1938) – Director The Loves of Madame Dubarry (1938) – Director Old Bones of the River (1938) – Director Alf's Button Afloat (1938) – Director Ask a Policeman (1939) – Director Where's That Fire? (1939) – Director The Frozen Limits (1939) – Director Band Waggon (1940) – Director Let George Do It! (1940) – Director Gasbags (1940) – Director The Ghost of St Michaels (1941) – Director Turned Out Nice Again (1941) – Director Hi, Gang! (1941) – Director South American George (1941) – Director and Producer I Thank You (1941) – Director Neutral Port (1941) – Director King Arthur Was a Gentleman (1942) – Director Much Too Shy (1942) – Director Get Cracking (1943) – Director Bell Bottom George (1943) – Director He Snoops to Conquer (1944) – Director and Producer I Didn't Do It (1945) – Director and Producer George in Civvy Street (1946) – Director and Producer This Man Is Mine (1946) – Director and Producer