The Curtain Rises

The Curtain Rises (1938)

ComedyDrama

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!"

Director: Marc Allégret

Casts

	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)

Crew