The Curtain Rises

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!"

• Marc AllégretDirector
• Marc AllégretWriter
• Georges AuricOriginal Music Composer
• André CayatteWriter

• Louis JouvetM. Lambertin, professeur au Conservatoire
• Claude DauphinFrançois Polti
• Janine DarceyIsabelle Didier
• Odette JoyeuxCécilia Prieur
• Bernard BlierPescani, un élève du Conservatoire
• Robert PizaniJérôme
• Madeleine LambertMme Élisabeth Prieur, mère de Cécilia
• Roger BlinDominique, le gardien du château de la famille de Cécilia
• Mady MadeDenise
• Babita SorenNorah Storm
• André BrunotFernand Grenaison, l'oncle d'Isabelle
• Madeleine GeoffroyMme Fernande Grenaison, épouse de Fernand