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

TitleRelease DateCharacter
La fin du monde1931-01-23Martial Novalic
Hell and High Water1954-02-06Prof. Montel
Tales of Manhattan1942-08-05Arturo Bellini – Symphony conductor
The Conspirators1944-10-24Hugo Von Mohr
The Mask of Dimitrios1944-06-23Wladislaw Grudek
The Beast with Five Fingers1947-02-08Francis Ingram
Night and Day1946-07-02Anatole Giron
Madame Curie1943-12-16President of University
Forfaiture1937-11-24Pierre Moret
Hollywood Canteen1944-12-15Self
San Antonio1945-12-29Legare
Passage to Marseille1944-03-11Captain Patain Malo
A Farewell to Arms1957-12-14Colonel Valentini
Hold Back the Dawn1941-09-26Van Den Luecken
Devotion1946-04-05Constantin Heger
Fanny1961-06-28Panisse’s older brother
The Beginning or the End1947-02-19Dr. Marre
In Our Time1944-02-19Count Pawel Orwid
J’accuse1938-01-23Jean Diaz
Bedevilled1955-04-28Father Du Rocher
The Tuttles of Tahiti1942-05-01Dr. Blondin
Adventures of Captain Fabian1951-10-06Henri Brissac
Confidential Agent1945-11-02Licata
The Desert Song1943-12-17Caid Yousseff
La Porte du large1936-01-02
Ten Gentlemen from West Point1942-06-26Florimond Massey
L’Homme du Niger1940-06-25Le commandant Bréval
Double crime sur la ligne Maginot1937-09-24le capitaine Bruchot
To the Victor1948-10-26Police Inspector Beauvais
L’Aventurier1934-12-28Étienne Ranson
Le Roi1936-10-29Le roi Jean IV de Cerdagne
La Fin du jour1939-03-24Marny
Nuits de feu1937-04-16Fedor Andreiev
Entente cordiale1939-04-20Edouard VII, Prince and King
Le Chemineau1935-11-21Le Chemineau
Les Ailes brisées1933-06-15Fabrège
La nuit s’achève1950-11-06Dr. Coudray
La Révoltée1948-11-05Henri Dumières
Mission to Moscow1943-04-29Vyshinsky, chief trial prosecutor
Le Voleur1933-12-01Richard Voisin
Mélo1932-10-20Marcel, l’amant