The Curtain Rises (1938)
1938, 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!"
Cast & Crew
Louis Jouvet
M. Lambertin, professeur au Conservatoire
Claude Dauphin
François Polti
Janine Darcey
Isabelle Didier
Odette Joyeux
Cécilia Prieur
Bernard Blier
Pescani, un élève du Conservatoire
Robert Pizani
Jérôme
Roger Blin
Dominique, le gardien du château de la famille de Cécilia
André Brunot
Fernand Grenaison, l'oncle d'Isabelle
Georges Pally
Marty, le patron du café
Yves Brainville
Sylvestre
Gaby André
Mireille, une élève du Conservatoire
Hélène Dassonville
Une élève du Conservatoire
André Roussin
Giflard, un élève du Conservatoire
Michel Vitold
Gabriel, un élève du Conservatoire
Julien Carette
Lurette, le journaliste
Sylvie
Clémence
Marcel Dalio
Le juge d'instruction
Marcel Lupovici
Le tragédien (uncredited)
Noël Roquevert
M. Pignolet, un vigile (uncredited)
Paul Escoffier
Le directeur du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Albert Broquin
Le crieur de journaux (uncredited)
Marcelle Monthil
La chaisière du parc du Luxembourg (uncredited)
Odette Talazac
Une sociétaire (uncredited)
Dora Doll
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Gabrielle Fontan
Une mère provincviale (uncredited)
Made Siamé
La mère de Louise (uncredited)
Louise Fouquet
Une élève du Conservatoire (Lola Mouloudji) (uncredited)
Robert Moor
Albert, le concierge (uncredited)
Paula Dehelly
Micheline (uncredited)
Jacques Jansen
Un élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Monique Mélinand
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Marc Allégret
Director
Marc Allégret, André Cayatte
Writer
Arys Nissoti, Pierre O'Connell
Producer
