Yves Robert

French actor-director-producer

By VARIETY STAFF

French actor-director-producer Yves Robert, remembered for 1961's warmhearted street urchin saga "The War of the Buttons" and 1970s "Tall Blond Man" comedy spy feature series, died in Paris Friday May 10 at age 81.

Other hit comedies in which he directed children include the hits "My Father's Glory" and "My Mother's Castle."

Robert, whose career began in occupied France, directed more than 20 movies and appeared in numerous others. His fifth film, "The War of the Buttons," established him. (A 1994 remake set the story in Ireland.)

After the success of "The Tall Blond Man With One Black Shoe" (1972) and "The Return of the Tall Blond Man With One Black Shoe" (1974), Tom Hanks starred in a 1985 remake of the first.

Robert explained it was his own happy childhood that led him to make films about children.

In 1961, he formed a production company with actress Daniele Delorme, whom he married in 1956 and who survives him, as do two children from his first marriage.