a book out of print for over fifty years…

In New York in 1948, photographer Philippe Halsman had a chance meeting with Fernandel, a French movie star from the vaudeville tradition, and asked the actor to participate in a completely original photographic experiment. Halsman would ask Fernandel questions about America to which he would respond using only facial expressions. With his wide, lovable horse-face, Fernandel mimicked the answers to such questions as “Does the average Frenchman still pinch pretty girls in a crowd?” (silly grin) and “What was your reaction to the great American game of baseball?” (perplexed). Fernandel’s reactions are laugh-out-loud funny, and the book that resulted from this unusual collaboration is nothing short of wonderful.

Philippe Halsman, The Frenchman

Taschen bookshop, located in Saint Germain area in Paris, organises a special meeting on March 3rd 2006 from 6pm to 8pm with Josette Contandin and Franck Fernandel

TASCHEN, 2 rue de Buci, 75006 Paris