Craggy-featured French character player and an occasional lead, in more than 200 films in a career spanning over 75 years. A slightly stocky man of medium height, with a rumbling voice and a strong, focused gaze, Vanel began in films in 1912 and would eventually be directed by the likes of Jacques Feyder, Luis Bunuel, Maurice Tourneur, Pierre Chenal, Claude Chabrol and Jean-Pierre Mocky. Early on in his screen career he played the leading role in a film he also wrote and directed, "In the Night" (1930), and he also did well as the nasty, relentless Inspector Javert opposite Harry Bauer in
