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Known for his creative stage direction, Elia Kazan was born Elias Kazantzoglou on September 7, 1909 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire (now Istanbul, Turkey). Noted for drawing out the best dramatic performances from his actors, he directed 21 actors to Oscar nominations, resulting in nine wins. He directed a string of successful films, including A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), On the Waterfront (1954), and East of Eden (1955). During his career, he won two Oscars as Best Director and received an Honorary Oscar, won three Tony Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards.

His films were concerned with personal or social issues of special concern to him. Kazan writes, "I don't move unless I have some empathy with the basic theme." His first such "issue" film was Gentleman's Agreement (1947), with Gregory Peck, which dealt with anti-Semitism in America. It received 8 Oscar nominations and three wins, including Kazan's first for Best Director. It was followed by Pinky (1949), one of the first films in mainstream Hollywood to address racial prejudice against black people. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), an adaptation of the stage play which he had also directed, received 12 Oscar nominations, winning four, and was Marlon Brando's breakthrough role. In 1954, he directed On the Waterfront (1954), a film about union corruption on the New York harbor waterfront. In 1955, he directed John Steinbeck's East of Eden (1955), which introduced James Dean to movie audiences.

A turning point in Kazan's career came with his testimony as a witness before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952 at the time of the Hollywood blacklist, which brought him strong negative reactions from many liberal friends and colleagues. His testimony helped end the careers of former acting colleagues Morris Carnovsky and Art Smith, along with ending the work of playwright Clifford Odets. Kazan later justified his act by saying he took "only the more tolerable of two alternatives that were either way painful and wrong." Nearly a half-century later, his anti-Communist testimony continued to cause controversy. When Kazan was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1999, dozens of actors chose not to applaud as 250 demonstrators picketed the event.

Kazan influenced the films of the 1950s and 1960s with his provocative, issue-driven subjects. Director Stanley Kubrick called him, "without question, the best director we have in America, and capable of performing miracles with the actors he uses." On September 28, 2003, Elia Kazan died at age 94 of natural causes at his apartment in Manhattan, New York City. Martin Scorsese co-directed the documentary film A Letter to Elia (2010) as a personal tribute to Kazan.

Feridun Çölgeçen was born on 10 May 1911 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor, known for Kilink uçan adama karsi (1967), Daglari Bekleyen Kiz (1955) and Hindistan Cevizi (1967). He died on 19 January 1978 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Alice Sapritch was unattractive and she knew it for a fact. She nevertheless decided to become an actress, aware that she would never be the love interest of the handsome hero or play the blushing ingénue. That's the reason why she set about emphasizing her lack of glamor instead of concealing it. In these conditions, two main categories were available to her, either obnoxious monsters (Folcoche in TV made 'Vipère au poing') or foolish eccentrics (the crazy actress in 'L'événement le plus important depuis que l'homme a marché sur la lune'). In 1971, with 'La folie des grandeurs', Gérard Oury gave her the opportunity to combine monstrosity and ridicule in a single character, the duenna of the Queen of Spain who, although as ugly as sin, indulges in what may well be the most comical striptease ever filmed. Unforgettable! And not being a beauty queen also happened to be an advantage. Didn't she play Hamlet's mother at the age of twenty-three? And when she was older, the beauty factor having become irrelevant, she was able to embody the poignant 'Mère russe' (Russian Mother) in the TV film of the same title. The real trouble is her film career for, in spite of one or two satisfying roles, she appeared in an endless series of particularly inept vulgar French 'comedies'. By her own admission, she would have dreamed of being directed by Bergman, Schlöndorff or Herzog and she wound up working for Philippe Clair, Michel Gérard, Jean Luret and co! Of course there were a few exceptions to this rule, for instance when she played Aunt Elizabeth in Téchiné's 1978 'Les soeurs Brontë' and a few appearances in good quality films at the beginning of her career but all in all her performances on the silver screen are a real disappointment compared with what she did on TV and on the boards.

Steve Plytas was born on 9 January 1913 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor, known for Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), Batman (1989) and The Young Lady from London (1959). He was married to Amy Doris Foxell. He died on 27 December 1994 in Surrey, England, UK.

Turkish football player, film director, actor, editor, screenwriter, producer, lecturer and Honorary Professor.

He graduated from Vefa Lisesi in 1937. In 1938, he dropped out of Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine in the third year of his education.

Ün changed the language of cinema by going beyond the melodrama mould with the film Üc Arkadas in 1958. The film was considered one of the best films of Turkish cinema. Thanks to his success in this film, he was invited to the Film Friends Association and became one of the important directors of Turkish cinema. During this period, he started to live with Fatma Girik and the couple's relationship continued for life.

In 1960, he started the era of child stars in Turkish cinema history with the film Aysecik. After his success with Aysecik, his partnership with Arsavir Alyanak at Yakut Film ended and he founded Ugur Film.

In 1990, he made his first self-financed film, Tüm Kapilar Kapaliydi, in which he turned to a subject and cinematography not seen in his previous films. This was followed by the films Gün Ortasinda Karanlik and Zikkimin Kökü, which received many awards. The last film he directed was Sinema Bir Mucizedir (2005), but due to his illness he could not complete the film and handed it over to Tunc Basaran.

He worked as a lecturer at Mimar Sinan University Cinema-TV Department.

Film worker Memduh Ün died on 16 October 2015 at the age of 95 in Bodrum where he was being treated.

Rudolph Schildkraut was born on 27 April 1862 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor, known for His People (1925), The King of Kings (1927) and The Country Doctor (1927). He was married to Ernestine Weinstein. He died on 15 July 1930 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Muzaffer Tema was born on 15 June 1919 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and producer, known for Vahsi kedi (1962), 11 Uhr 20 (1970) and Disi yilan (1956). He was married to Ayten Çankaya. He died on 4 October 2011 in Çesme, Turkey.

Aram Katcher was born on 5 July 1921 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and director, known for The Girl in the Kremlin (1957), The Right Hand of the Devil (1963) and The Female Animal (1958). He died on 20 April 1998 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Charles Gérard was born on 1 December 1922 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and director, known for L'homme qui trahit la mafia (1967), Daggers Drawn (1964) and A Bullet in the Gun Barrel (1958). He died on 19 September 2019 in Versailles, Yvelines, France.

Stavros Xenidis was born in 1924 in Constantinople [now Istanbul], Turkey. He was an actor, known for Taxidi tou melitos (1979), O thanatos tou Timotheou Konsta (1987) and To mystiko tou Ari Bonsalenti (1990). He was married to Margarita Labrinou. He died on 2 November 2008 in Athens, Greece.

Toto Karaca was born on 18 March 1912 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. She was an actress, known for Yalan (1949), Bagdagül (1947) and Istanbul Yildizlari (1952). She was married to Mehmet Karaca. She died on 22 July 1992 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Muadelet Tibet was born in 1918 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. She was an actress, known for The King of the Street Cleaners (1977), Babasinin Oglu (1986) and Yasadikça (1984). She died in 1989 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Born in Constantinople in 1908, Paul Misraki composed from the age of 7 years a waltz his mother notes on music paper.

He completed his studies at the "Lycée Janson de Sailly" where he met Ray Ventura who already created a small amateur jazz band.

Paul Misraki consolidates his musical knowledge with Charles Koechlin and soon joined his fellow Ray Ventura who, with "Les Collégiens" begins an original career as a conductor where skits and entertainment interpreted by the musicians themselves to succeed a breakneck pace. He joined the company as second pianist and especially as composer and arranger-orchestrator.

In 1935 he composed the famous song "Tout va très bien, Madame la Marquise". Follow "Ca vaut mieux que d'attraper la scarlatine", "Qu'est-ce qu'on attend pour être heureux", "Comme tout le monde", "Insensiblement" and "Sur deux notes". The composer wrote many songs for Ray Ventura, including those of several musical films starring the "Collégiens" : "Feu de joie" (1938), "Tourbillon de Paris" (1941), "Mademoiselle s'amuse" (1947), "Nous irons à Paris" (1949) and "Nous irons à Monte-Carlo" (1951).

If a first operetta youth, "Amandine", has remained in a drawer, the second, "Normandie" (1936), was a great success at the Bouffes-Parisiens.

During the years of occupation, Paul Misraki, born into a family of Jewish origin, emigrates to South America and then to Hollywood, where he tries to popularize the French song.

In 1942, in Rio de Janeiro, he wrote incidental music for a new presentation of "On ne badine pas avec l'amour" that asks Louis Jouvet while on tour in South America. The following year, he composed "Si Eva se hubiese vestido", a musical that gets a big impact in Argentina, where it is created.

When peace returned, Paul Misraki found France where he soon composed the music for "Chevalier Bayard," operetta which brings particular Yves Montand, Ludmilla Tchérina, Félix Oudart and Henri Salvador. The texts are Bruno Coquatrix and André Hornez. Yet this beautiful production does not take long poster showing the Alhambra theater.

It's like film music composer melodic gifts Paul Misraki did wonders. He was responsible for the music of more than 160 feature films for more great directors.

Paul Misraki also has to its credit an important literary work to which he devoted all his time in recent years of its existence.

In 1990, he was made "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur".

Ahmet Tarik Tekçe was born on 15 December 1920 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor, known for Daglari Bekleyen Kiz (1955), Iki çalgicinin seyahati (1963) and Sevdali efe (1961). He died on 4 October 1964 in Ankara, Turkey.

Michel Ardan was born on 20 September 1920 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and producer, known for Les bidasses en vadrouille (1979), La grande nouba (1974) and The Big Risk (1960). He died on 9 May 1979 in Paris, France.

Lank and plain-looking, poker-faced and a bit starchy but looking all the more mysterious for that, Margo Lion will forever remain Jenny, the "brothel queen', in Pabst's adaptation of Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weill's immortal 'Dreigroschen Oper', singing their unforgettable song 'La fiancée du pirate'. A great film debut for this French actress born in Istanbul, who was then a successful cabaret performer in Berlin. And yet, although she was kept very busy working for the cinema and later on for television, Margo Lion never became an idol or a star or even a leading lady. On the other hand, she worked with talented directors (Carné, Chenal, Duvivier, Pabst as well as creators of the next generation such as Demy, Chabrol or Franju) and proved how versatile and talented a character actress she was. She could indeed play any type of role: a prostitute ('L'alibi') or a nun ('Le dialogue des carmélites'), a peevish maid ('La danse de mort') or a petty bourgeois ('L'affaire Lafarge'). If there was a common point between such varied characters, it was the elegant distance and the distinguished iciness she brought to the characters she embodied. A derelict woman played by Margo Lion was not a wreck but a lady who seemed to go through temporary trouble. Margo Lion is almost forgotten, which is a pity. She deserves better.

Talat Artemel was born on 24 April 1901 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and composer, known for Hürriyet Apartmani (1944), Sonsuz aci (1946) and Nasreddin Hoca (1954). He was married to Cahide Sonku. He died on 4 August 1957 in Bolu, Turkey.

Sükriye Atav was born on 24 August 1917 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. She was an actress, known for Emine (1971), Akrep Yuvasi (1977) and Yalniz Adam (1974). She was married to Niyazi Boratap. She died on 8 October 2000 in Antalya, Turkey.

Kenan Pars was born on 10 March 1920 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and producer, known for Oglum (1961), Bir atesim yanarim (1966) and Cinayet gecesi (1963). He died on 10 March 2008 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Hulki Saner was born on 14 February 1923 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was a producer and director, known for Gülizar (1972), Ilk ask (1960) and Zorlu damat (1962). He died on 20 July 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Necdet Mahfi Ayral was born on 6 August 1908 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and writer, known for The Bandit (1996), Yayla kartali (1945) and Bir Kavuk Devrildi (1938). He died on 5 June 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Jacques Natteau was born on 15 November 1920 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. Jacques was a cinematographer and producer, known for The Champagne Murders (1967), The Story of the Count of Monte Cristo (1961) and Never on Sunday (1960). Jacques was married to Yvonne Furneaux. Jacques died on 17 April 2007 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Jacques Rémy was born on 21 June 1911 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was a writer and assistant director, known for Le moulin des Andes (1945), The Damned (1947) and La chatte (1958). He was married to Catherine de Károlyi. He died on 1 December 1981 in Paris, France.

Son of a refugee Russian Army colonel and his wife, Tupine was born stateless aboard the last ship sailing from Crimea following the Bolshevik Revolution. He grew up in France and received his dance training under Lubov Egorova in Paris. He had a short-lived marriage to ballerina Natalie Clare. With a passport issued in Switzerland, Tupine danced internationally with the Original Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Markova-Dolin Company, and the de Cuevas Company. He became an American citizen in 1951. In 1962, he co-founded the National Ballet of Washington, D.C. After retiring in 1965, Tupine became co-director of the Virginia Ballet Company and School with Tatiana (Tania) Rousseau, who later became his second wife.

Vahi Öz was born on 3 November 1911 in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]. He was an actor and director, known for Kan kardesler (1952), Haci Baba (1965) and Çalikusu (1966). He was married to Jale Öz. He died on 12 February 1969 in Istanbul, Turkey.