Cecile Aubry, 1928-2010
Just a brief post to note the passing of Cecile Aubry, the leading lady (and actual title character) of The Black Rose. Ms. Aubry, who was born in Paris on August 3, 1928, died at her home in France on July 19, 2010, age 81.
Mostly by her own choice, she had only a short and sporadic movie career -- only 8 films in all. The Black Rose was her only English-language film, the rest all made in France, Italy, West Germany and other European nations, often as French co-productions, before she quit acting altogether to become a successful children's writer (and producer of children's TV shows derived from her writing) after 1960. Her tale Belle and Sebastian was translated into several languages and became a highly successful book, television series, and eventually the name of a Swedish rock band.
Following her immensely successful film debut in Manon (1949), Ms. Aubry won the role of Maryam in The Black Rose after it was turned down by another up-and-coming French actress, Leslie Caron, and acquitted herself well as the film's female lead. Yet she was disinterested in a film career, telling an interviewer long afterward that she had acted mainly in order to travel for free. Well, fair, and honest, enough. Still, with her pert sexiness and pouty good looks, to say nothing of her talents as an actress (probably not showcased well enough in this movie), she could certainly have enjoyed a far busier and more rewarding career in films than she apparently wanted, perhaps eclipsing, or at any rate forestalling, the rise of Brigitte Bardot in the early 50s. The audience's loss; but she seems to have led a busy and fulfilling life, which is what matters most. And, however briefly, she was a movie star: how many people can boast of that? Thank you for the underrated The Black Rose, and rest in peace.
Ms. Aubry's passing leaves just two members of the cast of The Black Rose -- released 60 years ago this September -- still alive as of this date: Herbert Lom, who will turn 93 on September 11, and Robert (Bobby) Blake, who turns 77 one week later, on September 18.