Marcel Pagnol - celebrated French author and filmmaker

Marcel Pagnol, from theatre to cinema

"I was born in the city of Aubagne, under the Garlaban crowned with goats, at the time of the last goatherds." - Extract from "My Father's Glory"

Marcel Pagnol was born in Aubagne in 1895. In love with his native region, it featured throughout his literary and cinematographic work. After studying literature, Pagnol lived in Paris and entered the world of young writers and theatre. In 1929, he wrote "Marius," a successful play in 4 acts taking place back in his native region around Marseille with actor Raimu in the role of Caesar. Marius was adapted for cinema in 1931. It was the first part of a Marseille trilogy with Fanny and Caesar to follow.

Film producer

In 1934, Pagnol bought a domain of several hectares above La Treille on the outskirts of Marseille and set up his own studios there. He made it his "Provençal Hollywood" and started producing his own films, including 'The Baker's Wife'. Actors Raimu, Fernandel and Pierre Fresnay, featured regularly in his films.

Novelist

It was not until 1957 that Pagnol began his autobiographical novels relating his childhood, again a trilogy: 'The Glory Of My Father,' 'My Mother's Castle' and 'The Time Of Secrets'.

In 1962, he published the famous ''Jean de Florette' and 'Manon des Sources', which were later made into popular films in 1986.

For those interested in learning more about Pagnol's and the beautiful Provençal countryside; https://www.marcel-pagnol.com.