Editing Max Linder (section)

===Early life===
Max Linder was born Gabriel Leuvielle near [[Saint-Loubès]], [[Gironde]]. He was called "Max" from a young age. His parents, Jean and Suzanne (née Baron), were wealthy [[vineyard]] owners and expected Linder to take over the family business; his older brother Maurice  (28 June 1881 &ndash; 14 December 1959) had become a celebrated national rugby player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/brazil/rugby/player/1953.html|title = Maurice Leuvielle}}</ref> But Linder grew up with a passion for theater, and was enthralled by the traveling theater and circus performances that occasionally visited his town. He later wrote that "nothing was more distasteful to me than the thought of a life among the grapes."<ref name=Wakeman2>Wakeman, John. World Film Directors, Volume 1. The H. W. Wilson Company. 1987. pp. 671-77.<!-- ISSN/ISBN needed --></ref>

As a child, Linder fell victim to a severe case of [[cholera]]. He survived by resting in the oven of the village baker. The heat from the oven supposedly brought down the infection to a manageable level.<ref name="books.google.com"/>

In the spring of 1888, the Leuvielle family's plantation was attacked by [[grape phylloxera]]. Jean and Suzanne heavily considered emigrating to America, and embarked on a trip to [[New York (state)|New York]] in search for propitious offers. During their trip, Max and Maurice remained in France with their grandmother Jeanne. Nothing became of Jean and Suzanne's plans to emigrate, as it was discovered that the French vines could be replaced with American plants, which were sturdier and resistant to phylloxera.

While in New York, Suzanne gave birth to Max's younger brother, Gérard. They returned to France, and, two years later, a sister, Marcelle, was born. Max developed a particular affection for her.<ref name="books.google.com"/> Marcelle, along with Suzanne and Jean, appeared in Max's film ''Max Is Convalescent'' (1911)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://headcity.com/follies/contributor/marcelle-leuvielle.html|title=Voidsville Follies - Marcelle Leuvielle}}</ref> and Marcelle starred alongside Max in ''Max, The Heartbreaker'' (1917).