Darío Moreno

Darío Moreno

Born: April 3, 1921
Died: December 1, 1968
in Smyrna, Ottoman Empire [now Izmir, Turkey]
David Arugete (3 April 1921 – 1 December 1968), commonly known under his stage name Darío Moreno, was a Turkish-Jewish polyglot singer, an accomplished composer, lyricist, and guitarist. He attained fame and made a remarkable career centred in France which also included films, during the 1950s and the 1960s. He became famous with his 1961 song Brigitte Bardot.

Darío Moreno was born to a large Jewish family. He was orphaned in early childhood when his father, who worked in a train station in Aydın, was shot dead under tragic circumstances. He was placed in the Sephardic orphanage of Izmir (Nido De Guerfanos) by his mother and remained there until he was four.

After a primary education in the Jewish educational establishments of Izmir, he had many odd jobs during his early youth. He put great effort into continuing his education while simultaneously working to make a living. He started working as an errand boy in the law firm of the city's prominent lawyers, and he was eventually trained to become a clerk in the office. In the evenings, he would study French in Izmir's Central Library. With a guitar that had fallen into his hands by chance, he also learned to play the guitar, mainly on his own with occasional tutoring from acquaintances.

He started singing at Bar Mitzva celebrations as a second job. In his early twenties, he had already become a well-known singer in Izmir, and particularly among the Jewish community. During his military service in the Turkish Army, he was employed as a singer in officers' quarters in various garrisons and became more focused on music. His first truly professional musical performance started in his hometown right after his discharge, and was arranged through connections established while in the army. When he started making money with his music, he moved to the better-off Jewish quarter of Karataş to a house in a street leading to the historical building of Asansör, one of the city's landmarks (and which literally means the "Elevator", people taking an actual elevator to go to the higher part of the quarter, this part being separated by the coastal strait with a steep slope). Nowadays this street is named Dario Moreno Sokağı (Dario Moreno Street) in his legacy.

A hyperactive personality, Darío Moreno died of a heart attack resulted from a discussion occurred between him and an airport gate staff in the Atatürk Airport. He was slightly late for one of his flights, on his way to Paris for a concert. He was also planning to attend the first "Turkish Night" planned to take place in Paris.The airport gate staff discretionary did not allow him to board the plane and this led to a serious debate which resulted with Moreno's heart attack. He was only 47. According to his will he wanted to be buried in İzmir, Turkey but he was buried in Holon, Israel, by his mother Madam Roza. ...

Source: Article "Darío Moreno" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Movies for Darío Moreno...

The Saint Lies in Wait
Title: The Saint Lies in Wait
Character: (uncredited)
Released: October 26, 1966
Type: Movie
Oscar Chartier plays a dangerous double game by selling secret plans to the German and American secret services, to ensure a comfortable future for his daughter, Sophie. But the plans are fake and Chartier decides to get help from his good friend Simon Templar.
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Hotel Paradiso
Title: Hotel Paradiso
Character: The Turk
Released: March 1, 1966
Type: Movie
Monsieur Feydeau has writer's block, and he needs a new play. But he takes an opportunity to observe the upper class of 1900 Paris - Monsieur Boniface with a domineering wife, and the next-door neglectful husband Henri with a beautiful but ignored wife, Marcelle. Henri traces architectural anomalies (most ghost sounds are drains) and plans a night at the Hotel Paradiso, but this hotel is the assignation spot of Marcelle and Boniface. One wife, two husbands, a nephew, and the perky Boniface maid, all at this 'by the hour' hotel and consummation of the affair is, to say the least, severely compromised (not the least by a police raid). All of this is under Feydeau's eye, and his play is the 'success fou' of the next season.
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Tell Me Whom to Kill
Title: Tell Me Whom to Kill
Released: November 26, 1965
Type: Movie
On the Côte d'Azur, a beautiful adventuress and a strange German tourist set themselves the courteous challenge of discovering a war treasure lying at the bottom of a bay. But Basta, an old original who alone knew the location of the wreck, is murdered. And Pitou, the jovial nightclub owner, is determined to get his hands on all the loot.
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Dernier tiercé
Title: Dernier tiercé
Released: July 17, 1965
Type: Movie
A beautician inherits a racing stable and a fortune of 160 million, which she can only collect in 5 years, if she has maintained and cared for the horses, including Prince III, preferred by her uncle who made her his heir. The thoroughbred wins a race during which the rival jockey is killed. The police suspect murder.
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Good King Dagobert
Title: Good King Dagobert
Character: Charibert
Released: November 20, 1963
Type: Movie
Mr. Pelletan's rascal son Bébert son got another F for playing in class. His punishment is an essay on the Merovingian king Dagobert. All they know is he had eight wives and reunited Francia. The ignorant knave's irreverent imagination turns that into a harem and a ludicrous war without armies, loaded with anachronisms, in a race against rival king Charibert for the crown of Reims. The king's right hand, archbishop Eloi, the later patrons saint of carpentry, is portrayed as an inventor.
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No temas a la ley
Title: No temas a la ley
Character: Bruno Suárez
Released: August 2, 1963
Type: Movie
Jean Faran has the misfortune to run over with his car a young woman named Micaela. Once recovered from the fright, she invites him to her house to have a few drinks.
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Ladies First
Title: Ladies First
Character: L'aubergiste
Released: April 12, 1963
Type: Movie
An FBI agent works to arrest David Griffin, a murderous drug trafficker, and protect Juliette, the beautiful widow of Griffin's late partner.
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Le tout pour le tout
Title: Le tout pour le tout
Released: July 6, 1962
Type: Movie
An unlucky trumpeter and a young singer try to rebuild their lives in Brazilian nightclubs. They will try everything for everything while making a risky heist.
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Tintin and the Mystery of the Golden Fleece
Title: Tintin and the Mystery of the Golden Fleece
Character: Midas Papos
Released: December 6, 1961
Type: Movie
After the death of Captain Thémistocle Paparanic, Captain Haddock's old friend, he inherits a ship called the Golden Fleece. Once Tintin and the captain arrive in Istanbul, where the ship is anchored, they meet Mr. Karabine, a businessman who stubbornly insists on buying it even though it is in a dilapidated state.
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The Revolt of the Slaves
Title: The Revolt of the Slaves
Character: Massimiano
Released: December 30, 1960
Type: Movie
A rich man's daughter (Rhonda Fleming) sides with a Christian rebel during the fall of the Roman Empire.
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Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century
Title: Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century
Character: Un dictateur sud américain / South American Dictator
Released: December 16, 1960
Type: Movie
Charming and innocent, Candide is vigorously chased away by the Baron, for his close encounters with the pretty Cunégonde. World War II breaks out, and when he is drafted and taken prisoner, he is forced to take German nationality and ends up guarding the camp where he was imprisoned. He crossed into Switzerland, but as he had no bank account, he was incarcerated for eight days for trespassing. Hunted by the Gestapo, he kills two men to free Cunégonde, who has finally been found. They both flee to Argentina, and their world tour begins. In Paris, Moscow, New York, Borneo and Alexandria. They try to follow Dr. Pangloss' optimistic rule of life. Tossed about, separated, they find themselves grown old and wiser, thinking only of cultivating their garden on the shores of the Mediterranean.
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Lay Off Blondes
Title: Lay Off Blondes
Character: Rodinoff
Released: December 7, 1960
Type: Movie
Inspector Al Whecler, cool and relaxed, is given the task by the sheriff of a town in California of investigating the murders of two girls tattooed on their right arms. His investigations bring him to a funeral chamber run by the suspicious Rodinoft...
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It Happened All Night
Title: It Happened All Night
Character: Darío Moreno
Released: September 13, 1960
Type: Movie
Michel Ferréol reluctantly meets up with an old school friend, Antoine Fiesco. Michel didn’t like Antoine much when they were at school and tries to get away by making an excuse. He changes his mind when Antoine introduces him to his wife, a beautiful brunette named Christine.
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Marie of the Isles
Title: Marie of the Isles
Character: Desmarais, the traitor
Released: January 15, 1960
Type: Movie
In 1635, Jacques du Parquet, the nephew of the well known explorer Belain d'Esnambic, enters a tavern in Dieppe, and falls in love with the daughter of the bartender, Marie Bonnard. He knows his noble family would disapprove such a marriage; besides, he is nominated for the post of governor in Martinica. He promised never to forget Marie, but as time goes by, she will accept to marry a rich and unscrupulous man, Monsieur de Saint-André. When her husband is appointed to serve in Martinica as General Commissioner, Marie demands to go with him. At her arrival, all sorts of trouble arrive: pirates take action against travelers and goods, rotten deals set the two officers against each other, and finally jealousy settles to make things worse. ~ Written by Artemis-9
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Come Dance with Me!
Title: Come Dance with Me!
Character: Florès
Released: December 18, 1959
Type: Movie
Herve argues with his wife, after which he meets an appealing woman at a nightclub. A subsequent one-night stand with her turns into a tragedy when the woman is killed.
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Atomic Agent
Title: Atomic Agent
Character: Doctor Alberto / Don José
Released: November 4, 1959
Type: Movie
Murderous foreign agents are after a scientist who has invented an atomic engine that could change the future of rocketry.
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Oh! What a Mambo
Title: Oh! What a Mambo
Character: Miguel Montero
Released: May 13, 1959
Type: Movie
Miguel foils a bank robbery and becomes a successful nightclub singer, but he doesn't know that his wife is being courted by an Italian fitness instructor.
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A Woman Like Satan
Title: A Woman Like Satan
Character: Arbadajian
Released: February 13, 1959
Type: Movie
Handsome and rich Spanish gentleman abandons his wife and riches for his love of a young girl of poor stock who taunts and degrades him.
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Incognito
Title: Incognito
Character: Fernando
Released: April 9, 1958
Type: Movie
Bob Stanley was an American secret agent during World War II in France. After the war Stanley returns to France as a consul. In reality, he works for the FBI, to roll up the organization that manufactures fake U.S. dollars. A violent confrontation is insurmountable.
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Anyone Can Kill Me
Title: Anyone Can Kill Me
Character: Luigi Falconi
Released: December 6, 1957
Type: Movie
The holdup of the bank is a success. All happened according to plan. Now, Cyril Gad and his four accomplices must secure an alibi. What better place than a prison cell? As a result the five gangsters have themselves arrested on minor charges and start waiting until they are released. Unfortunately three of them die mysteriously, another one is openly murdered. The only man still alive, Tony, is scared. Easy to understand why...
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An Eye for an Eye
Title: An Eye for an Eye
Character: Le cafetier de Toluma
Released: September 13, 1957
Type: Movie
In North Africa, an anguished husband tests the character of the doctor he believes is responsible for his wife’s death.
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Burning Fuse
Title: Burning Fuse
Released: February 27, 1957
Type: Movie
Lola, the wife of arms dealer Pedro Wassewich, is attracted to Ludovic, a young painter who turns out to be the emissary of a notorious gangster. He claims to have been sent by the latter to pick up a shipment. In fact, it's the police who, behind the scenes, orchestrate the operation to catch Wassewich red-handed.
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Forgive Our Trespasses
Title: Forgive Our Trespasses
Character: Rebor
Released: August 1, 1956
Type: Movie
In a port area of ​​France, clashes between a gang of young delinquents and a tribe of gypsies.
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Title: Cinépanorama
Character: Self
Released: February 4, 1956
Type: TV
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The Sheep Has Five Legs
Title: The Sheep Has Five Legs
Character: Le joueur américain
Released: September 24, 1954
Type: Movie
A publicity-minded French mayor reunites quintuplets and their earthy father, all six played by Fernandel.
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Dames Don't Care
Title: Dames Don't Care
Character: Perera, the Head Waiter
Released: May 5, 1954
Type: Movie
Lemmy Caution is on the trail of a women who may or may not be mixed up in a blackmail scheme.
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Quai des blondes
Title: Quai des blondes
Character: Lucky
Released: April 7, 1954
Type: Movie
The blond cigarette trade is raging in the Mediterranean, pitting the crew of a former naval officer, Ferrer, against a band of pirates led by Lucky Esposito. Initially defeated and robbed, Ferrer seeks revenge. Two women emerge, a singer, Barbara, and his former mistress, who now works for Esposito. Ferrer sees death at close quarters, Barbara saves him. The police wipe out Lucky's gang. The future looks brighter for Ferrer.
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Poison Ivy
Title: Poison Ivy
Character: Joe Madrigal
Released: May 26, 1953
Type: Movie
FBI Agent Lemmy Caution is sent after a missing two million in Casablanca while mob boss mistress Carlotta plays both sides of the law.
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The Wages of Fear
Title: The Wages of Fear
Character: Pepito Hernandez
Released: April 22, 1953
Type: Movie
In a run-down South American town, four men are paid to drive trucks loaded with nitroglycerin into the jungle through to the oil field. Friendships are tested and rivalries develop as they embark upon the perilous journey.
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Sins of Paris
Title: Sins of Paris
Released: April 17, 1953
Type: Movie
Madeleine Lebeau, a woman who charges for her easy virtue, has a plan that has some of her customers paying more than others; she tells them she is pregnant and, to avoid complications, the men pay her money and don't hang around for the birth. Yves Furet, a shiftless gambler, who not only encourages her in her business ventures but is also her fiancée, shares the fruit of her non-labor. She latches onto a wealthy widower, Henri Vilbert, who throws her a curve-ball when, after she tells him she is pregnant, he is overjoyed as he has fallen in love with her and is looking forward to becoming a father. She plays along for a while, but becomes ashamed when she sees how Vilbert is devoting his whole life to a child that she isn't carrying. She fakes a miscarriage and his kindness makes her feel guilty and she confesses, but he doesn't believe her. So she tries another plan.
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Deux de l'escadrille
Title: Deux de l'escadrille
Released: January 30, 1953
Type: Movie
During the Second World War, midshipman Dourdan, nicknamed 'Saucisse', distinguished himself by his clumsiness and his blunders. Charged with Lieutenant Goldfinch to convey an aircraft to Marrakech, he shot down an American bomber on the way, mistaken for a German plane.
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No Vacation for Mr. Mayor
Title: No Vacation for Mr. Mayor
Character: The Maharaja
Released: November 4, 1951
Type: Movie
Annie, the ward of Monsieur Joachim, a nightclub manager, has fallen in love with Philippe Lebon, a singer who could easily re-float her guardian's failing business. The trouble is that Joachim has already - and hurriedly - betrothed Annie to his business partner. To make matters worse the young lady suspects Philippe of being unfaithful. In order to thwart the wedding of Annie and his rival, Philippe hires two of his friends, the resourceful Beaudubec and Tracassin.