Léon Zitrone

Léon Zitrone

Born: November 25, 1914
Died: November 25, 1995
in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Léon Zitrone (25 November 1914 – 25 November 1995) was a Russian-born French journalist and television presenter.

Zitrone was born in Petrograd, Russia. He arrived in France with his family fleeing communism at the age of six. He graduated from the ESJ Paris. He began by training in scientific studies but his mastership of Russian, French, English and German gave him entrance in 1948 to the radio foreign broadcasting services of Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (RTF). In 1959, he joined the television activity of RTF. From 1961, he became news presenter, function he occupied for nearly 20 years, first until 1975, on the first French television channel (now TF1), then also on Antenne 2, the other public service channel. Jean-Pierre Elkabbach called him back in 1979. He then took charge of the news program during the week-end (his contract was established until 1 February 1981). He would come back for those news programs also during the Easter and Pentecost week-ends.

But Léon Zitrone's celebrity is due to the programs he presented or co-presented. He was host of the televised program Intervilles (French counterpart of Britain's It's a Knockout) with Guy Lux. He commented 6 times the Tour de France, and he is remembered for his prodigious memory for names of riders. He presented the Olympics for 8 times, commented the Eurovision Song Contest on 4 occasions and presented 16 Bastille Day military parades. Above all, he was the key-commenter for big events, such as weddings, burials or investitures of world's key figures, some thirty of them during the course of his career.

In 1978, following French singer Marie Myriam's victory the previous year, the Eurovision song contest took place in Paris. Léon Zitrone co-presented with Denise Fabre and made the presentation in English.

In 1984, Zitrone took a leading role in the movie American Dreamer.

He died from a cerebral hemorrhage on his 81st birthday, 25 November 1995, at the Val-de-Grâce hospital in Paris.

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

Movies for Léon Zitrone...

Title: Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 21, 2022
Type: TV
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La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
Title: La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 7, 2022
Type: Movie
In May 1974, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing became President of the Republic and wanted to bring about a new era of modernity. One of his first decisions was to break up the ORTF with the creation of three new television channels: TF1, Antenne 2 and FR3. Three new public channels but autonomous and competing. It is a race for the audience which is engaged then, and from now on the channels will make the war! This competition will give birth to a real golden age for television programs, with variety shows in the forefront. The stars of the song are going to invade the living rooms of the French for their biggest pleasure. This unedited documentary tells the story of the metamorphosis of this television of the early 1970s, between freedom of tone, scandals, political intrigues and programs that have become mythical.
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Dorothée Show
Title: Dorothée Show
Character: Vigile
Released: December 26, 1987
Type: Movie
The romanticized life of Dorothée summarized in various sketches and songs.
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Marriage of the Century
Title: Marriage of the Century
Character: Voix du commentateur (voice)
Released: October 8, 1985
Type: Movie
Princess Charlotte is scheduled to marry a boring duke, but before that event happens, Paul has taken a bet that he can seduce her. He does, profits from his act, and then falls in love with her. Meanwhile, the wedding with the duke is still planned, and it remains to be seen whether Paul will give in and give up.
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American Dreamer
Title: American Dreamer
Character: Ivan Stranauvlitch
Released: October 26, 1984
Type: Movie
American housewife Cathy Palmer loses her memory on a trip to Paris after being hit by a car. She wakes up in the hospital believing she's the fictional international spy, Rebecca Ryan.
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Les mots pour le dire
Title: Les mots pour le dire
Released: October 12, 1983
Type: Movie
A psychological drama that details the tormented relationship between Marie and her mother, stemming from Marie's childhood on their estate in Algeria. The mother, Eliane had lost a child before Marie was born and was consumed with hatred for her husband who was carrying tuberculosis and may have been the cause of the child's death. That hatred was never resolved, and Marie grew up in a bitter and strained household. As both women grow older, Marie marries and raises a family while her mother sinks ever deeper into anger, frustration, poverty, and isolated despair. She vents her destructive emotions on her daughter and is completely resistant to her daughter's attempts to help her, to make her life better.
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Quarter to Two Before Jesus Christ
Title: Quarter to Two Before Jesus Christ
Character: Presenter of the circus games
Released: October 6, 1982
Type: Movie
In antique Rome, a simple pepboy for chars becomes involved in a coup against Cesar. Rahatlocum is a North African Roman colony where Julius Caesar came to spend an expensive holiday. The revolt rumbles among the small people who find a leader in the person of Ben-Hur Marcel.
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Title: Champs-Elysées
Character: Self
Released: January 16, 1982
Type: TV
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The Party
Title: The Party
Character: Lui-même
Released: December 17, 1980
Type: Movie
A thirteen-year-old French girl deals with moving to a new city and school in Paris, while at the same time her parents are getting a divorce.
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Drôles de zèbres
Title: Drôles de zèbres
Character: Race Commentator
Released: March 22, 1977
Type: Movie
Two unemployed men, heavily in debt due to losses at the racetrack, are hired by a criminal mastermind to harass the guests of a hotel he hopes to purchase at a below-market price in order to access a tunnel below the building that leads directly to a nearby bank.
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Title: 30 millions d'amis
Character: Self - Host
Released: January 6, 1976
Type: TV
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Title: 30 millions d'amis
Character: Self
Released: January 6, 1976
Type: TV
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From Hong Kong with Love
Title: From Hong Kong with Love
Character: Espion français
Released: December 17, 1975
Type: Movie
Bons baisers de Hong Kong (From Hong Kong with Love) is a 1975 French film directed by Yvan Chiffre. It is a parody of James Bond movies featuring Les Charlots with scenes shot in Hong Kong. Mickey Rooney featured in the film as well as Bernard Lee and Lois Maxwell, stars of the James Bond films who appeared as M and Moneypenny respectively.
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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: Apostrophes
Character: Self
Released: January 10, 1975
Type: TV
Apostrophes was a live, weekly, literary, prime-time, talk show on French television created and hosted by Bernard Pivot. It ran for fifteen years (724 episodes) from January 10, 1975, to June 22, 1990, and was one of the most watched shows on French television (around 6 million regular viewers). It was broadcast on Friday nights on the channel France 2 (which was called "Antenne 2" from 1975 to 1992). The hourlong show was devoted to books, authors and literature. The format varied between one-on-one interviews with a single author and open discussions between four or five authors.
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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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Marriage
Title: Marriage
Character: lui-même
Released: December 31, 1974
Type: Movie
Four wedding anniversaries serve to chronicle the beginning and end of a thirty-year marriage.
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J'ai tout donné
Title: J'ai tout donné
Released: June 21, 1972
Type: Movie
An intimate cinéma vérité style documentary following french mega star Johnny Hallyday's summer tour.
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Title: Midi trente
Character: Self
Released: March 6, 1972
Type: TV
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Menace
Title: Menace
Character: Le journaliste
Released: February 18, 1972
Type: Movie
An esteemed surgeon, Charles Bernard, and his family are victims of a violent home invasion. When his young child is held for ransom, Charles must decide whether to comply or fight back.
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La Lucarne magique
Title: La Lucarne magique
Character: Une personnalité
Released: October 4, 1971
Type: Movie
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Title: Samedi soir
Character: Self
Released: January 9, 1971
Type: TV
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Let Them Live!
Title: Let Them Live!
Character: Self - Narrator
Released: February 20, 1970
Type: Movie
This film, which represents 7 years of shots on 5 continents, shows both the wonders of the wild world and the drama of its systematic destruction by man. Dramatic fights, scenes of tenderness and love, mingle with gags and documents never before presented on a screen.
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Les gros malins
Title: Les gros malins
Character: Self
Released: May 13, 1969
Type: Movie
Paul Blanc runs a butcher's shop with his Neapolitan wife, the vivacious Giulia. One night, thanks to sleeping pills received from his brother in Argentina, he dreams of horse racing and sees in his dream the order of arrival of the horses. Giulia praises her husband's gift at the local café. But the turfmen dissuade her from betting on the nags chosen by Paul, who they consider to be real losers! But her vision proves to be right. When her secret is discovered, everyone wants to buy this miracle medicine. But the product is no longer manufactured, as it is considered dangerous and has been banned by the authorities.
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Title: À bout portant
Character: Self - Interviewer
Released: December 16, 1968
Type: TV
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Live for Life
Title: Live for Life
Character: Le présentateur télé
Released: September 13, 1967
Type: Movie
Famous TV newscaster Robert Colomb is married to Catherine, but is continually unfaithful to her. Then he meets, and becomes fascinated with Candice.
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Live for Life
Title: Live for Life
Character: lui-même
Released: September 13, 1967
Type: Movie
Famous TV newscaster Robert Colomb is married to Catherine, but is continually unfaithful to her. Then he meets, and becomes fascinated with Candice.
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Seventeenth Heaven
Title: Seventeenth Heaven
Character: Self (voice) (uncredited)
Released: April 27, 1966
Type: Movie
The brave and moody François, a window washer by trade, has fallen head over heels in love with a delicious woman he spotted while working on the 17th floor of a building. From that moment on, all his dreams turn to the woman he doesn't dare approach. Fortunately, he finally meets her in Perros-Guirec, after following her on a train journey. She calls herself a chatelaine; he introduces himself as a writer. Will love triumph over these pious lies?
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The Boss of Champignol
Title: The Boss of Champignol
Released: March 16, 1966
Type: Movie
Claudius finds a foal and takes it home to his boss. The men who stole the animal are looking for him. Claudius names him Champignol and trains him for racing. When he grows up, Champignol wins a regional race. But the thieves return, and Claudius is forced to do odd jobs to keep his horse.
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Operation Double Cross
Title: Operation Double Cross
Character: Himself
Released: November 10, 1965
Type: Movie
In Barcelona, secret agent Antoine Donadieu thwarts the plans of a Nazi scientist.
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Title: Dim Dam Dom
Character: Self (voice)
Released: March 7, 1965
Type: TV
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Clémentine chérie
Title: Clémentine chérie
Character: lui-même à la télévision (image d'archives)
Released: August 3, 1964
Type: Movie
Gaston Bellus, is the director of a textile house, and the research laboratory makes a sensational discovery: the elastic fabric. This new discovery is used to manufacture new modern stretchable bathing suits. His daughter Clementine, enters the beauty pageant to represent France for the swimsuit launch. But scandal ensues when the public soon discover, the photos of the event in which this new revolutionary material is completely invisible on photographs & live television.
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Actualités télérévisées
Title: Actualités télérévisées
Released: April 1, 1964
Type: Movie
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Be Careful Ladies
Title: Be Careful Ladies
Character: Self
Released: October 2, 1963
Type: Movie
Charles Rouvier, a lawyer, is in jail for trying to save one of his clients, Hedwige. He decides to be revenged on women and his inmates teach him how to seduce and exploit them.As soon as he is released from prison he places a personal ad in a newspaper. This is how the newly self-appointed "cynical Don Juan" will meet three creatures: Florence, Gisèle and Henriette. Who will eat who?
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The Bamboo Stroke
Title: The Bamboo Stroke
Released: April 11, 1963
Type: Movie
Albert is the irremovable waiter in a small bistro that has just been sold by his former bosses, Angèle and Léon. Angèle, having forgotten the ten million paid by the notary in a cab, prefers to feign madness rather than incur her husband's wrath; but Léon, in turn, eventually learns what has happened to his money, goes mad and kicks out the honest cab driver who comes to return the lost sum. A phone call from the police station later informs Albert that the money is at his boss's disposal; but as the boss is now in an institution, Albert borrows his identity papers and goes to collect the money - which he pays in full to the pari-mutuel betting house. After a series of shocks and counter-shocks, Angèle and Léon regain their senses enough to watch for the outcome of the race, and share with Albert the final winnings, which are very substantial.
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Assassin's Check
Title: Assassin's Check
Character: Le journaliste télé
Released: August 10, 1962
Type: Movie
In this French murder mystery, a young journalist goes from a bad situation to much worse. He has been having problems in his relationship with his girlfriend, and one evening he goes out on a bender. Too drunk to remember how he got that way, he goes home to sleep it off. When he wakes up in the morning, he discovers that his hangover is the least of his problems -- he is now a suspect in a murder investigation. After getting back together with his girlfriend, he decides to hide out with a friend of his and let the heat cool down -- a big mistake, as he soon finds out.
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Three Faces of Sin
Title: Three Faces of Sin
Character: Self
Released: September 12, 1961
Type: Movie
Laurent is an artist and sometimes con-man. He wanders into the life of Renee one day in her antique shop and tries to seduce her. Before they can leave town on a weekend getaway together, Renee's teenage daughter Daniele quits school and unexpectedly shows up. Laurent and Daniele fall for each other immediately and end up getting married. The film follows the disastrous situation created by the jealous mother and her daughter's immature husband.
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Cocagne
Title: Cocagne
Character: acteur
Released: March 8, 1961
Type: Movie
As the driver of a garbage truck in Arles, Marc-Antoine leads a quiet life with his wife, Mélanie, and their two children. When Amédée's "Fanny" is stolen from the bouliste club, Marc-Antoine offers to repaint another one. As soon as the work is finished, he becomes a local celebrity and, intoxicated by his new-found fame, leaves his family to go with Hélène, the young waitress, to his friend Septime's house in the Camargue to take up painting. Eventually, Marc-Antoine realizes that he is dissatisfied and that his success seems dishonest. He realizes that happiness awaits him with his wife, children and friends, and resumes his simple life without remorse.
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Leon Garros Is Looking for His Friend
Title: Leon Garros Is Looking for His Friend
Character: Léon Garros
Released: January 13, 1961
Type: Movie
During World War II, the Frenchman Léon Garros and Boris Vaganov escape from the Nazi concentration camp. After 15 years, Léon, who became a journalist, and his friends came to the USSR to make a report and find Boris in the meantime. In Moscow he doesn't found, and for the sake of meeting with a friend, Garros has to travel around the country by car... The foreigners are accompanied by Nikolai, the translator, who, in turn, is looking for his brother's runaway bride, Natasha.
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Rue de Paris
Title: Rue de Paris
Character: lui-même
Released: October 21, 1959
Type: Movie
Life in a one-parent family with a focus on the parent, Henri Neveu (Jean Gabin), is the topic of this standard drama with a dash of comedy. While Henri was a POW during the war, his wife passed away and he returned to face the challenges of bringing up three children alone. Henri may get drunk and angry at times but he also has a better side that will not stay buried. Since handling three children alone is no easy task, the single father has the choice of growing in the process or not.
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Title: Eurovision Song Contest
Character: Self - Presenter
Released: May 24, 1956
Type: TV
The Eurovision Song Contest is an international song competition, organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and featuring participants representing primarily European countries. Each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television and radio, transmitted to national broadcasters via the EBU's Eurovision and Euroradio networks, with competing countries then casting votes for the other countries' songs to determine the winner.
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Title: En direct de...
Character: self
Released: February 16, 1956
Type: TV