As was to be expected, Charles neglected his studies at the Sorbonne and lapped up the society of post-War Paris with enthusiasm, mingling as much as possible with theatre people.  His socializing paid off:  in 1920 he was called in as an emergency replacement for the leading man in the play Les Jardins de Murcie. Friends had conveyed to the play's director that Charles had the uncanny ability to memorize entire plays almost on sight.  The director took a chance, and the somberly handsome young Boyer was an overnight sensation in the part.

Charles was accepted at the Conservatoire National Superior de Musique et de Declamation, an advanced professional program for artists and actors, where he at last began to study in earnest.  He obtained roles in plays, and although a dedicated stage actor, was not immune to the financial lure of motion pictures -- he became one of the busiest actors in Paris.  By the mid-1920s he had obtained such status that his acceptance of a role would guarantee a play's production, and film offers increased accordingly as well.

It was inevitable that Hollywood would beckon, and Boyer's invitation came from Paul Bern of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.  Although quite fluent in German, Italian and Spanish, Charles had absolutely no English, yet the salary offered him ($400 a week) seemed phenonomenal and he agreed to give MGM a try.  He enjoyed himself -- he loved America, he loved the people, and especially, he loved "all thees mon-ee"!

continue