Gratien Gélinas

Gratien Gélinas

Gratien Gélinas (December 8, 1909 – March 16, 1999) was a Canadian writer, playwright, actor, director, producer and administrator who is considered one of the founders of modern Canadian theatre and film. His major works include Tit-Coq (1948), Bousille et les Justes (1959), and Hier, les enfants dansaient (1968). He also wrote a series of satirical revues known as the Fridolinades. The Fridolinades revues, consisting of comic sketches, songs, and monologues, were named for the often-featured character Fridolin. A poor boy from Montreal, he wore a tri-colour Canadiens hockey jersey, knee socks, and suspenders. While not quite joual, the French he spoke was reflective of what a person would hear on the streets of Montreal, which made it stand out in sharp contrast to the continental French being spoken in most other theatres. Fridolin's boundless optimism in the face of constant disappointment came to emblemize the Quebec spirit of "survivance", and made him one of the first distinctly Canadian heroes of the stage. His success was considerable: Gélinas was declared by an adoring public to be the first playwright "de chez nous" (from our place). Gélinas' play Hier, les enfants dansaient (Yesterday the Children were Dancing) takes place entirely in one night. Based in 1966, it revolves around the tumultuous politics in Quebec around that time though its characters are entirely fictitious. Pierre Gravel is debating whether or not to accept a prominent position within the Liberal party. Throughout the course of the play, Gravel's sons, André and Larry, admit that they are active members of the separatist party and responsible for the bombs that had been threatening the city and destroying historical landmarks. Gélinas also founded the Comédie-Canadienne, which was active until 1972. In 1967, Gélinas was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1989. In 1985, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. He received an honorary doctorate from the Royal Military College of Canada in St-Jean in 1989. He married Huguette Oligny in 1973 and is the grandfather of actor and pop singer Mitsou Gélinas, MusiquePlus veejay, writer and actor Abeille Gélinas, and writer Anne-Marie Sicotte who has written the biography "Gratien Gélinas : la ferveur et le doute", published by the Éditions Québec/Amérique in 1995 et 1996. After his death in 1999, he was entombed at the Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery in Montreal. The Library and Archives Canada contains sound recordings and transcriptions of Anne-Marie Sicotte's interview with Gelinas. Source: Article "Gratien Gélinas" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

  • Title: Gratien Gélinas
  • Popularity: 0.623
  • Known For: Acting
  • Birthday: 1909-12-08
  • Place of Birth: Saint-Tite, Québec, Canada
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As:
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Gratien Gélinas Movies

  • 1985
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    Agnes of God

    Agnes of God

    6.2 1985 HD

    When a dead newborn is found, wrapped in bloody sheets, in the bedroom wastebasket of a young novice, psychiatrist Martha Livingston is called in to...

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  • 1986
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    The Canadian Conspiracy

    The Canadian Conspiracy

    6 1986 HD

    A mockumentary illustrating a supposed conspiracy to infiltrate American culture through employing Canadians in the U.S. entertainment industry.

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  • 1953
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    Tit-Coq

    Tit-Coq

    5.5 1953 HD

    After returning home from war, an ill-tempered young soldier must deal with his sweetheart having married another man.

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  • 1942
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    La Dame aux Camélias, la vraie

    La Dame aux Camélias, la vraie

    1 1942 HD

    The film was produced and directed by Gratien Gélinas, who also plays the lead role of Fridolin, and who also wrote the screenplay. It is of...

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  • 1947
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    Montreal by Night

    Montreal by Night

    6.2 1947 HD

    This short film showcases the city of Montreal on a summer's night. What was once a small Indian village is presented as a pot-pourri of contrasting...

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  • 1970
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    Red the Half Breed

    Red the Half Breed

    4.6 1970 HD

    A half-cast used cars salesman wants anything from the white society and is ready to do anything to get it. But when he is accused of murdering his...

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  • 1988
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    Les Tisserands du pouvoir 2, la révolte

    Les Tisserands du pouvoir 2, la révolte

    1 1988 HD

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  • 1980
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    Cordélia

    Cordélia

    6.8 1980 HD

    In a little village at the end of the 1890's, a young woman offends all the 'right-thinking' villagers by allowing men in her house in the absence of...

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  • 1945
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    Fridolinons

    Fridolinons

    1 1945 HD

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  • 1959
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    Fred Barry comédien

    Fred Barry comédien

    1 1959 HD

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  • 1988
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    Les Tisserands du pouvoir

    Les Tisserands du pouvoir

    1 1988 HD

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  • 1953
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    Tit-Coq

    Tit-Coq

    5.5 1953 HD

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  • 1953
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    Tit-Coq

    Tit-Coq

    5.5 1953 HD

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  • 1953
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    Tit-Coq

    Tit-Coq

    5.5 1953 HD

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  • 1942
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    La Dame aux Camélias, la vraie

    La Dame aux Camélias, la vraie

    1 1942 HD

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  • 1942
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    La Dame aux Camélias, la vraie

    La Dame aux Camélias, la vraie

    1 1942 HD

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  • 1942
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    La Dame aux Camélias, la vraie

    La Dame aux Camélias, la vraie

    1 1942 HD

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  • 1956
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    First Performance

    First Performance

    1 1956 HD

    First Performance is a Canadian dramatic television series which aired on CBC Television from 1956 to 1958.

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  • 1972
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    Le Grand Échiquier

    Le Grand Échiquier

    8 1972 HD

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