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chran · 23rd September 2007, 04:52 AM

French mime artist Marcel Marceau dies, age 84.

But seriously now - a great loss - he was a wonderful entertainer and always able to make me smile

Brown · 23rd September 2007, 08:34 AM

I had the pleasure of seeing Marcel Marceau in performance in the late 1970s. Even if you don't like mimes, you couldn't help but be entertained and impressed by Marceau.

One of his little skits (all of them introduced by a non-performing mime called Yanci, who carried onto the stage cards bearing the title of the skit) pertained to characters in a city park. One of the characters was a balloon salesman. Keep in mind that Marceau had no balloons; but by his posture and by the buoyancy in his gait, he told the audience his profession.

In another classic of mime, Marceau tried on masks. Of course, there were no masks; Marceau merely changed the expression on his own face whenever he "put on" or "took off" a "mask." At one point, he put on a mask with an overjoyed expression--wide eyes, enormous smile--and then was unable to remove the mask. This made him frustrated and sad. So imagine that: the face shows extreme happiness, and the body acts in a manner indicative of extreme sadness.

We saw this and we knew we were watching a performance master.

OldTigerCub · 23rd September 2007, 08:50 AM

What a loss...Marcel Marceau was a master of the art, and had a real sense of humor. His appearances on Red Skelton's show are may first recollections of him.

I seem to recall, though I might have my movies mixed up, that Marceau had a cameo in the Mel Brooks film "Silent Movie"...and was the only actor who spoke...a little piece of irony that added to the film being a classic.

The world will miss you Marcel.

theMark · 23rd September 2007, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by OldTigerCub

I seem to recall, though I might have my movies mixed up, that Marceau had a cameo in the Mel Brooks film "Silent Movie"...and was the only actor who spoke...a little piece of irony that added to the film being a classic.

That is correct, even though the only thing he said was "No" (or, maybe, "Non"). After fighting his way to the ringing telephone through the room against "strong wind" that wasn't there, of course...

It's a nice thing that video and audio technology has enabled us to keep the memory of such gifted artists around...

billydkid · 23rd September 2007, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by chran

French mime artist Marcel Marceau dies, age 84.

But seriously now - a great loss - he was a wonderful entertainer and always able to make me smile

So there actually are people enjoy mimes? I always wondered why they existed.

Elizabeth I · 23rd September 2007, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by billydkid

So there actually are people enjoy mimes? I always wondered why they existed.

Most mimes are to Marcel Marceau as a kid taking his first violin lesson is to Itzhak Perlman.

Madalch · 23rd September 2007, 10:31 AM

I would guess his last words were, "No! Not the olive loaf!"

Hamradioguy · 23rd September 2007, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by OldTigerCub

I seem to recall, though I might have my movies mixed up, that Marceau had a cameo in the Mel Brooks film "Silent Movie"...and was the only actor who spoke...a little piece of irony that added to the film being a classic.

And he had a more major role in the forgettable "Barbarella" (1968) as Professor Ping. Actually he was quite good in that role, and yes, it did involve a fair amount of speaking. If you don't remember Professor Ping you likely were too busy checking out some of those costumes worn by Jane Fonda.

OldTigerCub · 23rd September 2007, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Hamradioguy

And he had a more major role in the forgettable "Barbarella" (1968) as Professor Ping. Actually he was quite good in that role, and yes, it did involve a fair amount of speaking. If you don't remember Professor Ping you likely were too busy checking out some of those costumes worn by Jane Fonda.

Ahhhhhh.....I forgot about "Barbarella". You're correct about checking out Jane Fonda's outfits, though I was young and horny when that came out, and I don't believe she had become "Hanoi Jane" yet.

23rd September 2007, 04:52 AM	#1
chran Muse Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Denmark, yo Posts: 630	I wonder what his last words were ... French mime artist Marcel Marceau dies, age 84. But seriously now - a great loss - he was a wonderful entertainer and always able to make me smile

23rd September 2007, 08:34 AM	#2
Brown Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 12,293	I had the pleasure of seeing Marcel Marceau in performance in the late 1970s. Even if you don't like mimes, you couldn't help but be entertained and impressed by Marceau. One of his little skits (all of them introduced by a non-performing mime called Yanci, who carried onto the stage cards bearing the title of the skit) pertained to characters in a city park. One of the characters was a balloon salesman. Keep in mind that Marceau had no balloons; but by his posture and by the buoyancy in his gait, he told the audience his profession. In another classic of mime, Marceau tried on masks. Of course, there were no masks; Marceau merely changed the expression on his own face whenever he "put on" or "took off" a "mask." At one point, he put on a mask with an overjoyed expression--wide eyes, enormous smile--and then was unable to remove the mask. This made him frustrated and sad. So imagine that: the face shows extreme happiness, and the body acts in a manner indicative of extreme sadness. We saw this and we knew we were watching a performance master.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

23rd September 2007, 10:04 AM	#5
billydkid Illuminator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Blanchester, OH Posts: 4,930	Originally Posted by chran French mime artist Marcel Marceau dies, age 84. But seriously now - a great loss - he was a wonderful entertainer and always able to make me smile So there actually are people enjoy mimes? I always wondered why they existed.
	__________________ Wasting away in Blanchester.

23rd September 2007, 10:30 AM	#6
Elizabeth I Olympic Equestrian Wannabe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Defending the Alamo Posts: 9,355	Originally Posted by billydkid So there actually are people enjoy mimes? I always wondered why they existed. Most mimes are to Marcel Marceau as a kid taking his first violin lesson is to Itzhak Perlman.
	__________________ • There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. - Winston Churchill • Never wrestle with a pig - you just get dirty and the pig enjoys it. • My blog: Pardon me, may I ask...

23rd September 2007, 10:31 AM	#7
Madalch The Jester Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The wet coast. Posts: 8,745	I would guess his last words were, "No! Not the olive loaf!"
	__________________ As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of resolving approaches zero. -Vaarsuvius It's a rum state of affairs when you feel like punching a jar of mayonnaise in the face. -Charlie Brooker

23rd September 2007, 08:50 AM	#3
OldTigerCub Striped Shapeshifting Reptoid Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Steeler Nation, Pa. Posts: 1,633	What a loss...Marcel Marceau was a master of the art, and had a real sense of humor. His appearances on Red Skelton's show are may first recollections of him. I seem to recall, though I might have my movies mixed up, that Marceau had a cameo in the Mel Brooks film "Silent Movie"...and was the only actor who spoke...a little piece of irony that added to the film being a classic. The world will miss you Marcel.

23rd September 2007, 09:10 AM	#4
theMark Critical Thinker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Stuck in Old Europe and the 80s, where the music is better than today Posts: 310	Originally Posted by OldTigerCub I seem to recall, though I might have my movies mixed up, that Marceau had a cameo in the Mel Brooks film "Silent Movie"...and was the only actor who spoke...a little piece of irony that added to the film being a classic. That is correct, even though the only thing he said was "No" (or, maybe, "Non"). After fighting his way to the ringing telephone through the room against "strong wind" that wasn't there, of course... It's a nice thing that video and audio technology has enabled us to keep the memory of such gifted artists around...

23rd September 2007, 05:25 PM	#8
Hamradioguy Pyrrhonist Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern Vermont Posts: 2,273	Originally Posted by OldTigerCub I seem to recall, though I might have my movies mixed up, that Marceau had a cameo in the Mel Brooks film "Silent Movie"...and was the only actor who spoke...a little piece of irony that added to the film being a classic. And he had a more major role in the forgettable "Barbarella" (1968) as Professor Ping. Actually he was quite good in that role, and yes, it did involve a fair amount of speaking. If you don't remember Professor Ping you likely were too busy checking out some of those costumes worn by Jane Fonda.

23rd September 2007, 07:08 PM	#9
OldTigerCub Striped Shapeshifting Reptoid Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Steeler Nation, Pa. Posts: 1,633	Originally Posted by Hamradioguy And he had a more major role in the forgettable "Barbarella" (1968) as Professor Ping. Actually he was quite good in that role, and yes, it did involve a fair amount of speaking. If you don't remember Professor Ping you likely were too busy checking out some of those costumes worn by Jane Fonda. Ahhhhhh.....I forgot about "Barbarella". You're correct about checking out Jane Fonda's outfits, though I was young and horny when that came out, and I don't believe she had become "Hanoi Jane" yet.
	__________________ "Nuts!" - General Anthony C. McAuliffe