Marcel Dalio Biography

Short of stature but giant in talent, French actor Marcel Dalio entered films in 1933. He gained world-wide renown for his brilliant work in the Jean Renoir classics La Grande Illusion (1937) and Rules of the Game (1938). When the Nazis marched into Paris, the Jewish Dalio fled to the United States with his actress wife Madeleine Le Beau (the wisdom of his sudden flight was confirmed when the Nazis distributed a photograph of Dalio, labelled "The Typical Jew"). Launching his Hollywood career in 1941, Dalio was never able to rescale the heights of prominence that he'd enjoyed in France. In fact, he was often unbilled, even for his memorable role as the cynical croupier in 1942's Casablanca. The best of Dalio's Hollywood character parts included Clemenceau in Wilson (1945), Danny Kaye's nervous business associate in On the Riviera (1951), and the "dirty" old Italian in Catch-22 (1970). A frequent visitor to American television, Dalio was cast as Inspector Renault (the role originated by Claude Rains) in the short-lived 1955 TV version of Casablanca. In his final years, Marcel Dalio returned to the French film industry; his last movie assignment was 1980's Vaudoux aux Caraibes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

• 1. Capt. Louis Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
  2. Emil the Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
  3. Capt. Louis Renault: Oh, thank you very much.
  From Casablanca. Submitted by Michael Louis W (12 months ago)

• 1. Susan Bonnard: Bibi, what have you got on your sleeves?
  2. Bibi: They're too long. Before he left town, Uncle Desmond gave me some garters to hold them up.
  3. Susan Bonnard: Women's garters! Take them off! Look at them! Off some... stranger's legs!
  4. Grandpere Bonnard: To Desmond she was not a stranger.
  5. Susan Bonnard: Jacques!
  6. Jacques Bonnard: Calm yourself, my love. My brother is young.
  7. Susan Bonnard: Your son is younger.
  8. Jacques Bonnard: And after all, there is no great harm in catching garters that are thrown from the stage of the Casino Burlesque. It's done by some of our most distinguished citizens. It's a form of sport.
  9. Susan Bonnard: I don't want garters from the burlesque on my son's arms.
  10. Bibi: Only one is from the burlesque! The other was obtained privately!
  From The Happy Time. Submitted by Olive F (13 months ago)