The Curtain Rises

The Curtain Rises

"I was seventeen, I'm not anymore because you are and seventeen is not for everyone at the same time!"

1938 · 99 min · ★ 7.8 · Comedy, Drama

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!"

Directed by Marc Allégret · Written by Marc Allégret

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Cast

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
Madeleine Lambert Mme Élisabeth Prieur, mère de Cécilia
Roger Blin Dominique, le gardien du château de la famille de Cécilia
Mady Made Denise
Babita Soren Norah Storm
André Brunot Fernand Grenaison, l'oncle d'Isabelle
Madeleine Geoffroy Mme Fernande Grenaison, épouse de Fernand

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