Marcel Varnel: Marcel Varnel. Director: Chandu the Magician. French-born Marcel Varnel began his film career not in France but in Hollywood, as a 30-year-old in 1924. He left Hollywood for Great Britain in the mid-'30s and began turning out a series of low-budget comedies for Will Hay and George Formby, among others. While his films were for the most part undistinguished, they were popular and moved fast, as good comedies are meant...