My Early Days in New York

An Excerpt From My Memoirs

In 1961, I was given an important supporting part in a film called “Les Démons de Minuit,” directed by Marc Allegret.

The leading roles were played by Charles Boyer and Pascale Petit. In the film, I played the part of an eccentric star fashion photographer who dresses extravagantly and behaves terribly. I selected the elements of my costumes and wore for the first time the clothes that became the epitome of hip fashion five years later: lace shirts with ruffles, silk and satin capes, black velvet trousers, and buckle shoes. 

I was also a second assistant to the director, so I was always on set. Fascinated with cinematic techniques, I took down endless technical notes. Pascale Petit was very beautiful; I was always by her side, and we had a strange platonic love affair.