The Curtain Rises
19381938, France, Paris, at the Superior Conservatory of Dramatic Art ("Conservatoire Supérieur d'Art Dramatique"). The first-year entrance exams are in full swing. Many applicants, few accepted. Isabelle (Janine Darcey) is one of the few chosen. She joins former students from the second and third years, including François (Claude Dauphin) and Cécilia (Odette Joyeux). They attend the drama class run by Professor Lambertin (Louis Jouvet). The young people, passionate and eager to become comedians, clash in tumultuous love affairs, because by dint of acting, they imagine that life is a farce. François, for example, is in love with Isabelle, who also loves him, but is pursued by Cecilia, his former mistress... "Put art in your life and life in your art!"
Acted in
Louis Jouvet
as M. Lambertin, professeur au Conservatoire
Claude Dauphin
as François Polti
Janine Darcey
as Isabelle Didier
Odette Joyeux
as Cécilia Prieur
Bernard Blier
as Pescani, un élève du Conservatoire
Robert Pizani
as Jérôme
Madeleine Lambert
as Mme Élisabeth Prieur, mère de Cécilia
Roger Blin
as Dominique, le gardien du château de la famille de Cécilia
Mady Made
as Denise
Babita Soren
as Norah Storm
André Brunot
as Fernand Grenaison, l'oncle d'Isabelle
Madeleine Geoffroy
as Mme Fernande Grenaison, épouse de Fernand
Henri Busquet
as L'appariteur du Conservatoire
Georges Pally
as Marty, le patron du café
Yves Brainville
as Sylvestre
Gaby André
as Mireille, une élève du Conservatoire
Hélène Dassonville
as Une élève du Conservatoire
Sanda Dancovici
as Une élève du Conservatoire
Anita Daene
as Une élève du Conservatoire
Denise Berley
as Une élève du Conservatoire
Nina Sinclair
as Gisèle, une élève du Conservatoire
André Roussin
as Giflard, un élève du Conservatoire
Michel Vitold
as Gabriel, un élève du Conservatoire
Dennery
as Un élève du Conservatoire
Roland Piétri
as Un élève du Conservatoire
Julien Carette
as Lurette, le journaliste
Sylvie
as Clémence
Marcel Dalio
as Le juge d'instruction
Marcel Lupovici
as Le tragédien (uncredited)
Noël Roquevert
as M. Pignolet, un vigile (uncredited)
Paul Escoffier
as Le directeur du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Albert Broquin
as Le crieur de journaux (uncredited)
Marcelle Monthil
as La chaisière du parc du Luxembourg (uncredited)
Odette Talazac
as Une sociétaire (uncredited)
Dora Doll
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Gabrielle Fontan
as Une mère provincviale (uncredited)
Made Siamé
as La mère de Louise (uncredited)
Louise Fouquet
as Une élève du Conservatoire (Lola Mouloudji) (uncredited)
Paul Delauzac
as L'ami d'Élisabeth (uncredited)
Robert Moor
as Albert, le concierge (uncredited)
Paula Dehelly
as Micheline (uncredited)
Titys
as L'huissier du juge (uncredited)
Paul Marcel
as Le maître d'hôtel (uncredited)
Josette Daydé
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Jacqueline Marsan
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Jacqueline Ravel
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Jacqueline Valois
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Jacques Jansen
as Un élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Sylvie Deniau
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Monique Mélinand
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Wanda Kérien
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Anita Vangué
as Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Tony Jacquot
as Un élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)