- Category
- POURQUOI PAS
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Sylvie Vartan at the "Pourquoi pas" Premiere at the Lido
Guest Star Maria Callas
21 December 1966
Aside from the London Royal Command Performance in 1965, the 20th anniversary celebration of the opening of the Lido in Paris was the first real 'high society' gathering attended by Sylvie Vartan, on December 21 1966. Scheduled for that night: the review "Pourquoi pas!"... But that evening the drama wasn't only onstage... Sylvie was accompanied by her famous husband Johnny Hallyday. It's on this occasion that Sylvie Vartan met la Callas, two divas who couldn't be more different. The organisers made sure to seat them at the same table. Sylvie arrived smiling on Johnny's arm, accompanied by her best friend Mercedes Calmel, but it seems that things went downhill from there, judging by the photos taken throughout the evening. Note that Johnny and Sylvie's places from the start of the evening, alongside Maria Callas and Aristote Onassis, were changed. During the second part of the dinner the famous greek couple ended up opposite Sylvie and Johnny. The table was hassled by photographers and the evening's photos reached the four corners of the globe. They continue to be used even today, appearing in several works dedicated to the singer. |
Programme | Japanese press article |
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O Cruzeiro (Brazil, February 1967)
Pourquoi pas
"Pourquoi pas?" A premiere at the Lido. By coincidence, the night of the 20th anniversary of the most famous cabaret in the world. "Le Tout-Paris" dreamed of being invited. International celebrities received invitations and turned out in force. And why not? The Blue Bell Girls, more beautiful than ever, in jackets and mini-skirts, ligned up for a dance routine inspired by the "Voom-Voom", the fashionable club in Saint-Tropez. There is also a chinese scene, which is not surprising, china being so in fashion. Intelligent and docile animals that will soon know more than men. Hollywood takes a major spot, with the inclusion of big screen star impersonators, Pearle White and Greta Garbo, Al Jonson and Marlene Dietrich. They were onstage but the whole room was part of the spectacle. Everyone knew everyone. There was the politician Gaston Palewski, as well as four embassadors. The duke and duchess of Windsor. Marcel Achard. Maitre Floriot. Admiral Cabanié. The vicecomptess of Ribes, Prince of Bismarck. Pierre Cardin and Marc Bohan. La Callas, with Onassis. Shirley Mac Laine, with Maurice Chevalier. Ira de Furstenberg ("Remmenber" Baby Pignatari). Géraldine Chaplin. And Mia Fonssagrives. And Elsa Martinelli. And Charles Trenet. Truly international but very Parisian.
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Through the Camera Lens _________________________________ |