The Curtain Rises
"I was seventeen, I'm not anymore because you are and seventeen is not for everyone at the same time!"
99 mins
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!"
Madeleine Lambert
Mme Élisabeth Prieur, mère de Cécilia
Mady Made
Denise
Babita Soren
Norah Storm
Madeleine Geoffroy
Mme Fernande Grenaison, épouse de Fernand
Henri Busquet
L'appariteur du Conservatoire
Sanda Dancovici
Une élève du Conservatoire
Anita Daene
Une élève du Conservatoire
Denise Berley
Une élève du Conservatoire
Nina Sinclair
Gisèle, une élève du Conservatoire
Dennery
Un élève du Conservatoire
Roland Piétri
Un élève du Conservatoire
Paul Delauzac
L'ami d'Élisabeth (uncredited)
Robert Moor
Albert, le concierge (uncredited)
Titys
L'huissier du juge (uncredited)
Paul Marcel
Le maître d'hôtel (uncredited)
Josette Daydé
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Jacqueline Marsan
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Jacqueline Ravel
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Jacqueline Valois
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Sylvie Deniau
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Wanda Kérien
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Anita Vangué
Une élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Tony Jacquot
Un élève du Conservatoire (uncredited)
Georges Leblond
Sound Engineer
Ernest Bourreaud
Camera Operator
Georges Jouanne
Production Director
Madeleine Lefèvre
Script
Henri Pecqueux
Set Photographer
Roger Kahan
Set Photographer
Lucien Pinoteau
General Manager
Jean Huet
Assistant Director
Louis Gendre
Assistant Director
Ernest Bourreaud
Director of Photography
Jacques Krauss
Decorator
Yvonne Martin
Editor
Arys Nissoti
Producer
Pierre O'Connell
Producer
Louis Demasure
Set Supervisor
Joseph Mejinsky
Makeup Artist
Ernest Bourreaud
Assistant Camera
Robert Bontemps
Assistant Camera
Robert Juillard
Camera Operator