Victor Francen

Victor Francen was an American actor best known for his roles in “Hold Back the Dawn,” “Hell and High Water,” and “I Accuse.” Born on August 5, 1888, in Tienen, Flanders, Belgium, he became a prominent character actor, particularly during the mid-20th century.

Personal and Family Life

Victor Francen was married three times, first to Mary Marquet and later to Renée Corciade and Eleanor Kreutzer, both of whom he divorced. In the 1930s, he was very active in theater, touring across Europe, Canada, and South America. His illustrious stage career eventually led him to film, where he often portrayed characters with foreign accents, particularly villains.

Death and Legacy

Victor Francen passed away on November 18, 1977, in Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. His contributions to both stage and film left a lasting impact, particularly noted for his roles that characterized the foreign, often sinister persona in Hollywood during his time. He is remembered for his distinctive performances and adaptability in various acting roles.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
La fin du monde 1931-01-23 Martial Novalic
Hell and High Water 1954-02-06 Prof. Montel
Tales of Manhattan 1942-08-05 Arturo Bellini – Symphony conductor
The Conspirators 1944-10-24 Hugo Von Mohr
The Mask of Dimitrios 1944-06-23 Wladislaw Grudek
The Beast with Five Fingers 1947-02-08 Francis Ingram
Night and Day 1946-07-02 Anatole Giron
Madame Curie 1943-12-16 President of University
Forfaiture 1937-11-24 Pierre Moret
Hollywood Canteen 1944-12-15 Self
San Antonio 1945-12-29 Legare
Passage to Marseille 1944-03-11 Captain Patain Malo
A Farewell to Arms 1957-12-14 Colonel Valentini
Hold Back the Dawn 1941-09-26 Van Den Luecken
Devotion 1946-04-05 Constantin Heger
Fanny 1961-06-28 Panisse’s older brother
The Beginning or the End 1947-02-19 Dr. Marre
In Our Time 1944-02-19 Count Pawel Orwid
J’accuse 1938-01-23 Jean Diaz
Bedevilled 1955-04-28 Father Du Rocher
The Tuttles of Tahiti 1942-05-01 Dr. Blondin
Adventures of Captain Fabian 1951-10-06 Henri Brissac
Confidential Agent 1945-11-02 Licata
The Desert Song 1943-12-17 Caid Yousseff
La Porte du large 1936-01-02
Ten Gentlemen from West Point 1942-06-26 Florimond Massey
L’Homme du Niger 1940-06-25 Le commandant Bréval
Double crime sur la ligne Maginot 1937-09-24 le capitaine Bruchot
To the Victor 1948-10-26 Police Inspector Beauvais
L’Aventurier 1934-12-28 Étienne Ranson
Le Roi 1936-10-29 Le roi Jean IV de Cerdagne
La Fin du jour 1939-03-24 Marny
Nuits de feu 1937-04-16 Fedor Andreiev
Entente cordiale 1939-04-20 Edouard VII, Prince and King
Le Chemineau 1935-11-21 Le Chemineau
Les Ailes brisées 1933-06-15 Fabrège
La nuit s’achève 1950-11-06 Dr. Coudray
La Révoltée 1948-11-05 Henri Dumières
Mission to Moscow 1943-04-29 Vyshinsky, chief trial prosecutor
Le Voleur 1933-12-01 Richard Voisin
Mélo 1932-10-20 Marcel, l’amant