René Mercier

René Mercier (end of the 19th century – 1 January 1973) was a 20th-century French composer and conductor.

Biography Little is known about the life of René Mercier. Even his birth date is unknown. Composer of second rank, he is best known as a conductor. He never got very big personal success, apart from a few songs: : Elle s'était fait couper les cheveux, in reference to the flappers of the 1920s. His patriotic song , written during the war (1916) remains one of his great success, due to the circumstances.

His operetta composer's career is uneven. J'te veux stayed 260 days in theaters. His biggest theatrical success is Déshabillez-vous (168 représentations). The following year, Bégonia was also successful, thanks to the presence of Dranem.

He participated as a composer in several films of the 30s.

After World War II, he was conductor in various music halls, including the ABC from 1948 to 1955. At the Théâtre des Capucines, he composed the 1945 review with Raoul Moretti. He directed the presentations of La Quincaillère de Chicago by Louiguy in 1948, and by Francis Lopez in 1953 (1500 presentations).

Main works Vocal music 1922 : Les Fifilles de Loth 1923 : Benjamin 1923 : J'te veux 1925 : Le Pêché capiteux 1928 : Déshabillez-vous ! 1930 : Bégonia 1934 : Elles font toutes l'amour 1935 : La Reine de la Sierra 1936 : Un p'tit bout d'femme 1937 : Échalote et ses amants

Songs 1916: , lyrics by Eugène Joullot and Jack Cazol 1925: Elle s'était fait couper les cheveux, lyrics by Vincent Telly, sung by Alexandre Dréan 1931: , lyrics by Simon Deylon 1932: Totor t'as tort

Filmography 1931: The Man at Midnight by Harry Lachman 1932: Sergeant X by Vladimir Strizhevsky 1932: Kiss Me by Léon Mathot (with Vincent Scotto) 1934: C'était un musicien by Maurice Gleize and Friedrich Zelnik 1936: La Mariée du régiment by Maurice Cammage