Jacques Laurent or Jacques Laurent-Cély (5 January 1919 – 29 December 2000)[1] was a French writer and journalist. He was born in Paris, the son of a barrister. During World War II, he fought with the
Algerian Tirailleurs.
Laurent belonged to the literary group of the Hussards, and is known as a prolific historical novelist, essay writer, and screenwriter under the
pen name of Cecil Saint-Laurent. The 1955 film Lola Montès, directed by
Max Ophüls, was based on his
historic novel based on the life of
Lola Montez. He wrote
Jean Aurel's Oscar-nominated 1963 World War I documentary, 14-18. He also directed the film Quarante-huit heures d'amour/48 Hours of Love (1969).
Another noteworthy novel by Saint-Laurent was Darling Caroline (written in 1947), a powerful book set in the early days of the French Revolution.
This also became a film. This was released in France in 1951, directed by Jean-Devaivre and starring
Martine Carol in the title role. Saint-Laurent was one of the scriptwriters of the film.
The 1961 "Les Passagers pour Alger" (translated to English as "Algerian Adventure") was a contemporary thriller, set against the background of the then raging
Algerian War, and like many of his books written from the point of view of adventurous, daring young woman.
1986 : Histoire imprévue des dessous féminins (Herscher)
As Albéric Varenne
1948 : Quand la France occupait l'Europe (éditions le Portulan)
Other pseudonyms
Laurent Labattut, Gilles Bargy, Dupont de Mena, Luc d’Ébreuil, Roland de Jarnèze, Alain Nazelle, Jean Parquin, Gonzague de Pont-Royal, Marc de Saint-Palais, Alain de Sudy, Edgar Vuymont.[3]