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Préjean shot his first five films with French director Henri Diamant-Berger between 1921 and 1923. The roles he played tended to embody the leading man for the people, generous and strong. His most lasting fame stems from his work in the films of René Clair that transition from the silent to the sound eras. These include most notably the farce Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie (1928) and the musicalized melancomic Sous les toits de Paris (1930). When German director G. W. Pabst directed the film version of the huge Brecht-Weill musical hit Die Dreigroschenoper in 1931, he simultaneously shot a French-language version (L'opéra de quat'sous) with a French lead cast. Préjean was given the coveted lead role of the underworld kingpin Mackie Messer.
In 1929, he directed a medium-length film L'Aventure de Luna-Park with Daniele Parola. In addition to acting, he was also a popular singer in the 1930s. He sang songs like "La Valse to Dede Montmartre".
During World War II he continued to act in films. In March 1942, he joined a group of actors who at the invitation of the Germans visited film studios in Berlin. This was alongside French actors and actresses such as René Dary, Astor Junie, Viviane Romance, Suzy Delair and Danielle Darrieux.
He recollected his memories in a book published in 1979 with the help of his son, voice actor Patrick Préjean.
