Why did Jean Constantin get into a fight during the filming for Brigada Diverse? “She didn’t know I was an actor”

Why did Jean Constantin get into a fight during the filming for Brigada Diverse? The films from the beloved “thieves and thieves” series from the early 70s remain, even today, among the most popular Romanian films.

But the filming was also the occasion for countless unexpected events. In one of them, Jean Constantin, alias “Patraulea”, came out “wrinkled” from the meeting with a lady with a cane and an umbrella.

Why did Jean Constantin get into a fight during the filming for Brigada Diverse? “She didn’t know I was an actor”

Jean Constantin needs no introduction, he is and remains one of the most well-known and beloved Romanian actors.

And even though he left us almost 14 years ago, on May 26, 2010, at the age of 82, the cinematography ensured his immortality, especially since he also starred in some of the most beloved and popular productions for the big screen.

And at the head of these films that are still watched over and over again, by older but also newer generations of viewers, are those from the famous comedy series Diverse Brigade, BD for short

Also read: What was going to happen to Gogu, Patraulea and Trandafir in series 4 of the comic book that was banned

The series, made between 1970 and 1971, includes three films, each with two parts, with two distinct case stories.

These are “Miscellaneous Brigade Into Action”, “Miscellaneous Brigade On Alert!” and “BD at the mountain and at the sea”.

The first contains “The Dog Thief” and “The Mimicry Teacher”, the second “The Woman Without Signs” and “Short Term Widows”, and the third “Grandmother’s Dust” and “The Wonder-Working Icon”.

They all present the comic adventures of a group of three friends, likable ruffians – Gogu Steriade (Dem Rădulescu), Trandafir (Puiu Călinescu) and Patraulea (Jean Constantin) – who enter into all kinds of illegal “combinations”.

On their trail are always the members of the Miscellaneous Deeds Brigade of a militia station.

Jean Constantin, Toma Caragiu and Sebastian Papaiani, in “The Dog Thief”, the first part of the first film in the BD series – Photo: Facebook/Cineclic

This included captain Panait (Toma Caragiu), platoon leader Căpșună (Sebastian Papaiani), sergeant-major Cristoloveanu (Dumitru Furdui) and the wolf dog Costel. The brigade is under the authority of Major Dobrescu, played by Iurie Darie.

Naturally, given the stellar cast, filming was relaxed, often interrupted only by the laughter of one or another of the actors, after another said a funny line, in the manner specific to that actor.

In an interview granted to jurnalul.ro, in 2004, Jean Constantin recalled some of the events experienced during the making of the films.

In the first of them, the great actor admitted that he was sometimes late for filming because he commuted by train, and Toma Caragiu “charged” him every time with an ironic remark, but made out of pure friendship.

Read also: Memorable story with Toma Caragiu and Jean Constantin, born on the same day. “They caught him stealing”

“It was filmed in several places, and I had to commute, because I lived in Constanța. It happened to be late, and then Toma Caragiu would say “His mother’s Easter… That one, he stole something from the train. They caught him and that’s why he doesn’t come anymore…”

But we all got along very well. It was a very close relationship between us, the actors in the film. And the director let us put in (no – lines) from us as well”, said Jean.

The actor also recalled a funny prank that took place at the very beginning of the filming of the first part of the first film, “The Dog Thief”, in which Jean Constantin had to steal a puppy from the street. Everything was filmed by the production team with a hidden camera

Jean Constantin, Puiu Călinescu and Dem Rădulescu, the “troupe” of the three nice guys – Photo: Facebook/Buftea Studios

But things didn’t turn out as everyone hoped, and Jean got a beating from the dog’s owner, an older lady, who thought he was a real thief.

“I had to steal a lady’s puppy on the street. She didn’t know I was an actor and until the team members came to save me, I took some sticks and umbrellas on my head,” said Jean Constantin, according to the quoted source.

Another funny story happened at the time of filming in the prison where the three friends – “chickens” were going to enter.

As, at that time, none of them was yet a well-known star in Romania, they found themselves with surprises from the prison barber who had to cut their hair “regularly”, but without exaggerating.

Also read: Do you recognize the characters? He “blow” the wife of a great actor, she was his wife in the film

“We were supposed to film at the prison, and we, the three thieves – Dem Rădulescu, Puiu Călinescu and myself – were already dressed in the dirty clothes when we entered the prison barbershop.

The barber took us seriously, he told us he was going to cut our hair short. We tried to tell him that we are actors. And he answered us: “That’s how you are all criminals. Come here and think big.”

Anyway, those films filled the lead actors with money. According to the testimony of Jean Constantin: “I used to take 40,000 lei for a film, and in my hand I took about 26,000 lei”.

A small fortune at the time, but the sums were worth all the financial effort of the producers, the films from the “BD” series, becoming true legends of Romanian comedy and cinematography.

Also read: Do you recognize the character? He plays in BD alongside Toma Caragiu and leaves the country. Today is her birthday