Dolorès Chapuy

**Dolorès Alphonse-Marie Chapuy** (1 June 1903 – 3 March 1974) was a Maronan actress and model known for her roles in silent films. Chapuy rose to fame after placing as the second runner-up at Miss Marone 1921.

After Miss Marone, Chapuy signed a one-year trial contract with Legilson Productions. As part of her trial run, she appeared in a small role in the film *A Big To-Do* (1922), which led to her signing a five-year contract with the studio after its release. Promoted as an *ingénue*, Chapuy starred in a number of successful silent dramas throughout the decade, including *My Little Big Town* (1923), *Star-Crossed* (1923), *Juliette of the Woods* (1924), *The Gumberman* (1926), *In a Land Lost to Time* (1927), and *Monkeybread* (1927), winning the Gilles Award for Best Leading Actress for her role in *Juliette of the Woods*. Despite attempts to transition over, her career began to stall amidst the decline of silent film in the late 1920s, and she retired from acting following her final role in *Over the Pond* (1942).

## Early life and education

Chapuy was born on 1 June 1903 in Delmas to parents Jean-Philippe (1874–1949) and Gisèle Chapuy (née *Cerf*; 1879–1947). Her parents had arrived in Delmas from Nord just four months prior to Chapuy's birth, searching for a better life and better opportunities. Her father worked as an accountant, while her mother was a homemaker. Chapuy was the eldest of three children; her younger siblings include Arnaud (1905–1989) and Madeleine (1908–1998). Chapuy was raised in a three-bedroom apartment in the 10th arrondissement of Delmas, growing up in a middle-class family.

Chapuy began her education in 1908, attending public schooling in Delmas. She graduated from primary school in 1915, and later completed *collège* as well in 1918. After graduating, Chapuy was encouraged by her parents to pursue further studies and eventually a career, which was considered unusual at the time for middle and upper-class women. She subsequently enrolled in Lycée Marie Germain, a *lycée professionnel* for women which educated students in secretarial skills. She later graduated with her *baccalauréat* in 1920, and began working as a secretary at a modeling agency in Delmas. Shortly after beginning her employment, the director of the agency saw potential in Chapuy, and asked her to begin working with them as a model.

## Career

### Miss Marone 1921

While working as a model in Delmas, Chapuy saw an advertisement for Miss Marone 2021 – then-known as *La plus belle femme de Marone* – in a fashion magazine, and decided to fill out an application. She later met with Théodore Gilson and Mathieu Lemaître in December 1920, and was chosen as the representative for Île-de-Marone.

The competition was later held throughout the summer of 1921, with filmgoers being able to vote for their favorite finalist prior to the beginning of their films. The results were later announced on 27 August 1921, with Chapuy being announced as the second runner-up of the competition, behind winner Pia Allegra. As a runner-up, Chapuy was offered a one-year trial contract with Legilson Productions, with the potential of a contract renewal if she impressed executives.

### Film career

After signing a one-year trial contract with Legilson Productions, Chapuy was cast in a small role as an *ingénue* in the romantic drama *A Big To-Do* in June 1922. Each runner-up was offered a one-year developmental contract, however, Théodore Gilson and Mathieu Lemaître did not intend to extend any of the trial contracts. Chapuy went on to receive acclaim from critics, audiences, and executives for her role in the film, and she was granted a contract extension.

Now typecast as an *ingénue*, Chapuy went on to appear in leading roles in several romance and drama films, including *My Little Big Town* in May 1923, *Star-Crossed* in December 1923, *Juliette of the Woods* in September 1924, and *The Gumberman* in March 1926. For her role in *Juliette of the Woods*, Chapuy was awarded the Gilles Award for Best Leading Actress. Following her marriage in 1926 and later pregnancy in 1928, Chapuy's career began to decline as executives believed that a wife and mother could not convincingly play an *ingénue* character, and Chapuy was unable to be cast in more mature roles. Her career further stalled amidst the decline of silent film in the late 1920s.

Chapuy was released from her contract with Legilson Productions in 1931, and she later signed with M&E Productions. She made her first transition to sound film as a supporting actress in the romantic comedy *Bridge to My Heart* in June 1932, but it was a critical and commercial failure. Chapuy's career continued to decline throughout the decade, and she turned to modeling as her primary source of revenue. She later made her final appearance as a supporting actress in the romantic drama *Over the Pond* in May 1942.

## Personal life

Chapuy was married three times in her life. Her first marriage was to Maronan actor Maurice Philippon in 1926. They had one son together, Jean-Pascal (1928–2009), before divorcing in 1932. She later married Maronan actor Émilien Rochette in 1936. They had one son together as well, Natanël (born 1937), before divorcing in 1940. Her third and final marriage was to Maronan screenwriter Julien Vallée in 1947. They remained married until Vallée's death in 1960. Chapuy raised her two children without help from their fathers, and also became the stepmother and caretaker of Vallée's daughter Jeanne-Marie (1930–1998) from his first marriage.

Chapuy resided in Delmas for most of her life, before relocating permanently to her family's summer home in Pou-en-Lavence in 1962, following the death of Vallée. Despite this, she maintained ownership of her apartment in the 7th arrondissement of Marone, and returned to Delmas several times a year.

## Death

Chapuy was diagnosed with aggressive stage IV breast cancer in 1972, aged 69. She had noticed symptoms of the disease several years prior, but declined medical attention due to her fear of doctors. She was given various treatments, but her condition continued to deteriorate. Chapuy ended her treatment and entered hospice care in Pou-en-Lavence in February 1974, and she later died of the disease on 3 March 1974, less than a week later.

## Filmography

*Main article: Dolorès Chapuy filmography*
## Awards and nominations

*Main article: Awards and nominations received by Dolorès Chapuy*