Tino Rossi

Tino Rossi

Born: April 29, 1907
Died: September 27, 1983
in Ajaccio, Corsica, France
Constantin "Tino" Rossi (29 April 1907 – 26 September 1983) was a French singer and film actor of Corsican origin.

Born in Ajaccio, Corsica, Rossi was gifted with a voice well suited for opera. He became a tenor in the French cabaret style. Later, he appeared in various movies. During his career it is reported he recorded over 2000 songs and he appeared in more than 25 films, the most notable of which was the 1954 production, Si Versailles m'était conté... directed by Sacha Guitry. His romantic ballads had especially women swooning and his art songs by Jules Massenet (1842–1912), Reynaldo Hahn (1875–1947), and other composers, sold out theaters wherever he performed.

Among his most famous hits, Petit Papa Noel sold over 30 million copies worldwide. Over the course of his 50-year singing career, Tino Rossi recorded over 2000 songs and sold over 200 million albums making him one of the best selling (and mostly forgotten) artists of all time.

As a young man, Rossi played guitar and sang in many places of his hometown of Ajaccio, but later he went to perform in Marseille and at resort clubs along the French Riviera. In the early 1930s he went to Paris and within a few years achieved enormous success, joining a Columbia Records roster that included the biggest stars of that time such as Lucienne Boyer, Damia, Pills et Tabet, Mireille, and Jean Sablon.

Rossi's success was greatly aided by songwriter Vincent Scotto (1876–1952), who wrote his first hits and collaborated with him for many years, composing and arranging many of Rossi's songs. Prior to World War II, Rossi was a major box office attraction in the French-speaking world, and expanded his audience in 1938 to the U.S. and Canada during a first visit there. Rossi began his film career with a role in Les Nuits Moscovites (1934); his first real success came with Marinella (1936).

During the Occupation of France by Nazi Germany Rossi's film career reached its peak, notably with Fièvres (1942), Le Soleil a toujours raison (1943), Mon amour est près de toi (1943) and L'Île d'amour (1944). Like many celebrities, Tino Rossi was arrested on 7 October 1944 by several police officers in search of information on his close Corsican friend, Etienne Leandri, suspected of active collaborationism. Following three months' detention in the prison of Fresnes, near Paris, during which he stubbornly refused the assistance of a lawyer, he was freed from further detention by a judge, who deemed the charge leveled against him void of substance. Tino Rossi who, in October 1943, had loaned his personal car to a resistance network to transport weapons and enable several escapes (including that of a general), accepted—an extremely rare action at the time—exceptional official apologies.

In 1946 he recorded his song Petit Papa Noël for a movie. The song remained classic for the family and sold several million copies after being released on CD in 1992.

He is the recipient of the prestigious musical award Grand Prix du Disque.

Rossi died of pancreatic cancer in 1983 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. His body was transported to Ajaccio for burial in the family grave. His wife died in 2003 aged 79. ...

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

Movies for Tino Rossi...

Sheila, toutes ces vies-là
Title: Sheila, toutes ces vies-là
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 24, 2022
Type: Movie
The portrait of a woman who remembers. Sheila tells the story of Sheila, without concessions or evasions. Her childhood, her parents, her beginnings, the rumors, her love affairs, her marriage, her son, her successes, her farewells, her return, her mourning. The journey of an extraordinary popular icon who never stopped fighting. The courage of an artist who never gives up. "Sheila, toutes ces vies-là" is also a journey through time. 60 years of pop music, punctuated by numerous archives, personal films, timeless hits and illustrations by Marc-Antoine Coulon. But also 60 years of fashion, through a legendary wardrobe (her TV show outfits) that Sheila invites us to rediscover.
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Les Trésors de Marcel Pagnol
Title: Les Trésors de Marcel Pagnol
Character: Franz Schubert (archive footage)
Released: June 5, 2019
Type: Movie
The works of Marcel Pagnol are a veritable monument of French cultural heritage. Based on previously unseen archive material, film extracts, novels, plays, interviews and letters, the film pays tribute to the major author and popular filmmaker, who made his life a work and his work a life's project.
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Title: Champs-Elysées
Character: Self
Released: January 16, 1982
Type: TV
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Title: Champs-Elysées
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 16, 1982
Type: TV
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Title: Fan School
Character: Self
Released: January 30, 1977
Type: TV
Host Jacques Martin invites different talented children from various backgrounds to showcase their beautiful voices. The participants entertain and wow the audience with their lovely performances.
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Title: 30 millions d'amis
Character: Self
Released: January 6, 1976
Type: TV
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Title: Numéro un
Character: Self
Released: April 5, 1975
Type: TV
A French variety show.
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Title: Numéro un
Character: Self - Host
Released: April 5, 1975
Type: TV
A French variety show.
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Title: Système 2
Character: Self
Released: January 19, 1975
Type: TV
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Title: Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1975
Type: TV
A talk show presented by Michel Drucker
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Title: Midi Première
Character: Self
Released: January 6, 1975
Type: TV
Midi Première is a French variety show presented by Danièle Gilbert, directed by Jacques Pierre and broadcast from January 6, 1975 until January 1, 1982 on TF1. The program was generally broadcast between 12:15 p.m. and 12:55 p.m., then giving way to the 1:00 p.m. TV news. However, the broadcast schedule could change, depending on the guests, and the setting where the recording of the program was shot. Certain performances by artists who have become cult like the one where Ringo jostles with a demonstrator in interpretation (1977), that of Dalida with the title There is always a song with the soundtrack that does not start, twice, at the right speed (1978), Claude François and his Clodettes, who, in the provinces, are unable to join "the set" in order to interpret his song, the latter being taken by the crowd of delirious fans (summer 1977) . The group Supertramp performed there with the title "Dreamer" on March 8, 1975.
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Title: Midi trente
Character: Self
Released: March 6, 1972
Type: TV
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Title: Le Grand Échiquier
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 12, 1972
Type: TV
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Title: Le Grand Échiquier
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1972
Type: TV
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Title: Le Grand Échiquier
Character: Self - Main Guest
Released: January 12, 1972
Type: TV
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Title: Cadet Rousselle
Character: Self
Released: November 4, 1971
Type: TV
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The Donkey of Zigliara
Title: The Donkey of Zigliara
Character: Tino Rossi
Released: February 3, 1971
Type: Movie
Maddalena finds that her donkey has reappeared after being missing for months. However, on the same day, a donkey disappears in a neighboring village. The unfortunate coincidence leads to "war" between the two villages.
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Title: Samedi soir
Character: Self
Released: January 9, 1971
Type: TV
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Till the End of the World
Title: Till the End of the World
Released: January 18, 1963
Type: Movie
This brave, lonely man who arrives in Corsica, in a poor village, has no idea that he will have to take in this 9-year-old child whose mother has just died and of whom he is undoubtedly the father. His only hope is to find a place for the child, a place where he can get rid of his mother, a place where the child can stay, grow up, eat his fill and become a man. In this long race on foot through the mountains or by hitchhiking, they successively reject all the solutions that are offered, for the taste of freedom, which is more deeply rooted in them than that of security. This common feeling gradually brings them closer together, and after many incidents, they decide to face life and its uncertain future together.
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Title: Discorama
Character: Self
Released: February 4, 1959
Type: TV
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Tourments
Title: Tourments
Character: Jacques Duffot
Released: April 22, 1954
Type: Movie
Little Jean-Claude was adopted by former singer Jacques Duffot and his wife Anne-Marie. The child's mother, Simone, is determined to take him back, happily advised by the director of a private agency. They persuade Anne-Marie that Jacques is the legitimate father. Distraught, the young woman leaves home. Jacques resumes his singing career, but Jean-Claude refuses to accept the separation and fries him to death. The couple reconcile at his bedside, while Simone tiptoes away.
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Royal Affairs in Versailles
Title: Royal Affairs in Versailles
Character: un gondolier
Released: February 10, 1954
Type: Movie
Witty narration follows the history of Versailles Palace; founded by Louis XIII, enlarged by autocratic Louis XIV, whose personal affairs and amours, and those of his two successors, are followed in more detail to the start of the Revolution, after which the story is brought rapidly up to date. A huge cast plays mainly historical persons who appear briefly.
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Her Last Christmas
Title: Her Last Christmas
Character: Marc Damiani
Released: December 12, 1952
Type: Movie
A very ill little girl having expressed the wish to live until Christmas, the whole neighborhood agrees to anticipate the celebration.
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In the Land of the Sun
Title: In the Land of the Sun
Character: Titin Olivieri
Released: December 26, 1951
Type: Movie
A band of Marseilles, lazy and happy to live, are involved in trafficking; Titin, put in prison for a while, is finally released and can marry Miette.
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Paris Still Sings!
Title: Paris Still Sings!
Character: Self
Released: November 28, 1951
Type: Movie
A famous comedian decrees that his fortune will go to whoever collects as many pop star autographs as quickly as possible. When he dies, two cousins ​​embark on the race for signatures.
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Sending of Flowers
Title: Sending of Flowers
Character: Paul Delmet
Released: May 26, 1950
Type: Movie
Envoi de Fleurs is based on incidents in the life of French composer Paul Delmet. Played by popular French singing star Tino Rossi, Delmet is depicted as a man all too willing to give up personal happiness in favor of blind ambition. After carrying on a romance by correspondence with beautiful young Suzanne (Micheline Francey), Delmet is on the verge of marrying the girl. Instead, he allows himself to be talked out of leaving France to further his own career, with disastrous results for all concerned.
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Marlène
Title: Marlène
Character: Manuel Ceccaldi
Released: September 2, 1949
Type: Movie
Returning from South America, a singer is hired by an old pal who runs a detective agency to use a perch as a night club performer to be an investigator.The amateur sleuth then falls for a girl whose brother is a jewel thief.
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Two Loves
Title: Two Loves
Character: Sylvain Vincent / Désiré Vincent
Released: January 5, 1949
Type: Movie
Sylvain is the town clerk of the small Provençal village of Coursoul. He is the darling of all the girls in the country. His brother, Désiré, a disabled carpenter, secretly loves Toinette, the lumber merchant's daughter. She falls in love with Sylvain. This one, convinced by the director of a traveling circus of the excellence of his voice, is about to leave everything to follow his career. But Désiré learns from Toinette that she is expecting a child from Sylvain. He goes to inform his brother, who reconsiders his decision. But Désiré will leave in his place, not to sing, but with his bruised heart to play Paillasse.
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The Pretty Miller Girl
Title: The Pretty Miller Girl
Character: Franz Schubert
Released: November 28, 1948
Type: Movie
Franz Schubert retired from Vienna in country for musical writing. He draws his inspiration from a romance with the watermiller's daughter. An operetta in the fifties Vienna style. This is the only movie from Marcel Pagnol in color and the only movie in rouxcolor, a French experimental process derivated from the agfacolor German process.
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The Unknown Singer
Title: The Unknown Singer
Released: April 25, 1947
Type: Movie
Julien Mortal, a singer from Portugal suffering from amnesia, made a career in France under the name of Paolo. One day, he discovers the truth about his past: a man tried to assassinate him.
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Destiny
Title: Destiny
Character: André Cartier / Fred Cartier
Released: December 18, 1946
Type: Movie
This is the story of two brothers: the good one, the virtuous gent, an acclaimed singer, and the bad one who leads a wild life.
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Le gardian
Title: Le gardian
Character: Renaud
Released: May 15, 1946
Type: Movie
The guardian is engaged to a girl from a good family, but the intervention of a gypsy will make his heart lean. This one comes in fact to take revenge and will try to kill him.
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Song of the Clouds
Title: Song of the Clouds
Character: Sylvio
Released: March 6, 1946
Type: Movie
Sylvio, a successful singer, has found a way to take a peaceful vacation, safe from his female adulators: to travel incognito. He puts up at an old castle whose landlord, Count Fabrice, a ruined nobleman, seeks a hidden treasure. Posing as the nephew of the castle gardener, Sylvio enjoys happy days and even finds the time to fall in love with Gracieuse, the count's daughter. Unfortunately for him, his impresario ends up locating him...
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The Island of Love
Title: The Island of Love
Character: Orsani aka Bicchi
Released: May 23, 1944
Type: Movie
A Corsican fisherman is the victim of a vendetta, when he was wrong to date the niece of a businessman proposing to create a seaside resort, much to the anger of the islanders.
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My Love is Near You
Title: My Love is Near You
Character: Jacques Marton
Released: September 29, 1943
Type: Movie
An opera singer is stricken with amnesia and, on the evening of a premiere (in his stage costume which is that of a tramp), he goes to wander with real tramps.
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Le Chant de l'exilé
Title: Le Chant de l'exilé
Character: Ramon Etcheverry
Released: April 21, 1943
Type: Movie
In the French Basque Country, Ramon, the son of a farmer and fruit and vegetable merchant with a beautiful voice, has the good life. He is engaged to his charming cousin Maria. But his daily life is called into question when, during a fight, he believes he has killed a bad boy. He flees to Algeria where, with a friend, he joins the Saharan Pioneers.
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Le soleil a toujours raison
Title: Le soleil a toujours raison
Character: Tonio
Released: January 27, 1943
Type: Movie
Tonio, pretty Micheline's fiance, meets Georgia ,a gypsy who makes advances to him.
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Fièvres
Title: Fièvres
Character: le ténor Jean Dupray
Released: January 21, 1942
Type: Movie
Despite a perfect marriage and a superb career as a singer, Jean Dupray cheats on his wife. She dies while listening to the song he dedicated to her, "Maria". He then retired to the south where he led a life in complete anonymity. But his best friend's fiancé recognizes him and seduces him. Following a fight with his best friend, he decides to return to order by becoming a monk.
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Lights of Paris
Title: Lights of Paris
Character: Carlo Ferrari
Released: October 5, 1938
Type: Movie
A celebrated singer in Paris meets a young woman and courts her by pretending to be a driving instructor.
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Naples Under the Kiss of Fire
Title: Naples Under the Kiss of Fire
Character: Mario Esposito
Released: December 7, 1937
Type: Movie
Mario Esposito, who sings in a Neapolitan restaurant, is in love with Assunta, the niece of Teresa, the owner of the place. He shares his apartment with Michel, his best friend. This one has fallen under the spell of Lolita, a gorgeous adventuress he met at the cathedral where he officiates as the organist. But things go awry as, while Michel intercedes with Aunt Teresa for Assunta's hand in his favor, Mario in turn falls in love with Lolita. On the very day of his wedding with Assunta, Mario runs away with Lolita, thus betraying both his love and his friend. But it does not take long before the young singer realizes the big mistake he has made.
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To the Sound of Guitars
Title: To the Sound of Guitars
Character: Jeannot
Released: October 29, 1936
Type: Movie
A woman visiting Corsica falls for a singer with a velvet-smooth voice.
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Marinella
Title: Marinella
Character: Tino Pirelli
Released: March 27, 1936
Type: Movie
Tino is a painter and occasionally a singer. When he has an opportunity to replace an absent singer, he becomes a sucess as a masqued singer, "Le chanteur masqué". Lisa is a typist who becomes a successful singer, also as a masqued singer, "La chanteuse masquée". Tino the painter falls in love for Lisa the typist, not knowing about her "masqued" activities. On the stage they are rivals.
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Moscow Nights
Title: Moscow Nights
Character: Le chanteur napolitain
Released: November 5, 1935
Type: Movie
During the First World War, Russian officer Ignatoff, wounded, falls in love with his nurse, Natasha. But she is subject to an upcoming marriage of family convenience to Brioukow, a wealthy industrialist of peasant stock. Brioukow is unjustifiably jealous, since Natasha has not betrayed him. He forces Ignatoff into his debt as a means of humiliating him. When Ignatoff's new friend, Madame Sabline, offers to pay his debt, preventing his ruin, Ignatoff comes quickly to realize that Madame Sabline has an ulterior motive, one that could prove dangerous to more lives than just Ignatoff's.
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Justin de Marseille
Title: Justin de Marseille
Character: Le chanteur
Released: April 5, 1935
Type: Movie
A respected gangster, Justin, finds himself in a deadly feud with his rival, the unscrupulous Esposito. The latter plans to steal a cargo of opium bound for China and to have Justin killed.
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L'affaire Coquelet
Title: L'affaire Coquelet
Released: March 8, 1935
Type: Movie
There are collectors and collectors. As far as he is concerned, Monsieur Coquelet has brought together a collection of historical... garters! So imagine his reaction when he realizes his most invaluable piece has been stolen... Municipal police and gendarmerie are alerted. The culprit is caught at long last but he is not... among the usual suspects!
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Adémaï au Moyen Âge
Title: Adémaï au Moyen Âge
Released: January 1, 1935
Type: Movie
Joan Of Arc has just released Orléans (1429)but the English are still here to stay . The fortress of Châteauneuf is hold by Lord Pickwickdam
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Moscow Nights
Title: Moscow Nights
Released: November 21, 1934
Type: Movie
During the First World War, the Russian officer Captain Ivan Ignatoff falls in love with his nurse, Natasha Kovrin. But she is subject to an upcoming marriage of family convenience to Brioukow, a wealthy industrialist of peasant stock. Brioukow is unjustifiably jealous, since Natasha has not betrayed him. He forces Ignatoff into his debt as a means of humiliating him. When Ignatoff's new friend, Madame Sabline, offers to pay his debt, preventing his ruin, Ignatoff comes quickly to realize that Madame Sabline has an ulterior motive, one that could prove dangerous to more lives than just Ignatoff's.