"CHARITY GALA for the school relief fund." "Miss Félicie Nanteuil will sing "Mam'zelle Gavroche" by Hervé" "That's my daughter, my little girl." "They're known as the "Gavroches", the merry street kids of Paris, they wander, their hands in their pockets," " You like your tanagra costume?" " No, I wanted to be la Pompadour." "Come on, girls, hurry..." "Oh, sorry." "Look!" "You're on just after Mr. Cavalier." " We'll be ready." " Good!" "Come in." "You're next, my dear Master." "You actually just called me "Master", did you?" " Yes." "Why?" " No reason." "Are you coming?" "Yes, I'm all yours right after I choose a nose." "Well, I'll take this one." "It looks more natural." "If I had been Cyrano, my friend, this would have been my nose." "This way please." "One second, please." "of the Odeon theater." "My best pupil." " She's quite a character." " Yes, I already noticed." "She is no singer, she's an actress." "If I sang like that, I'd break my vocal cords." "Yes, she's got spirit, good eyes, good legs." "There's something about her." " But then..." " Sorry." "Nothing matters, I'm next on stage." " Shall I announce you?" " You should, yes." "That was good, very good." "If you work at it..." "Now, you'll have the privilege to hear Mr. Aimé Cavalier of the Odeon Theater." "The privilege!" "It's an elite audience." "They'll like it." "You pretend that I have a very big nose" "No, young man, I am afraid your speech was a trifle short." "You could have said at least one hundred other things, varying the tone of your words." "Let me give you some examples." "In an aggressive tone:" ""Sir, if I had a nose like that," "I would amputate it!"" "Friendly: "When you drink from a cup your nose must get wet." "Why don't you drink from a bowl?"" "Descriptive: "Tis a rock!" "A peak!" "A cape!" "No, it's a peninsula." " He's great." " Even better without the nose." "He is a real artist." "Don't you think so?" "Yes." "I'd forbidden you to be seen." " We only went to see Mr. Cavalier." " Stop it!" "I'm sure you made them do it." "As for you Antoinette, try to do better than last time." " You won't get inside, will you?" " Why not?" "These, sir, but sample what you might have said" "Had you some trace of letters in your head" "But of letters, oh most miserable cur," "You have so few, that your biographer contents himself with three to make a rule to measure you: ass." " Thank you." " But even if you had the skill to invent such remarks, you would not have been able to entertain me with them." "You would have uttered no more than a quarter of such a jest, the first syllable of the first word, for such jesting is a privilege I only grant myself." "Bravo!" "You're wonderful, Félicie." " I think I'm good as Cyrano." " You are." "Though this nose is really unflattering." "And this part is not for me." "Listen to this:" "Ay, true, the feeling Which fills me, terrible and jealous, truly Love, which is ever sad amid its transports!" "One can see you've never loved." "You have a way of speaking of sadness and jealousy." "You don't really understand what you're saying, little girl." "You put the stress on "Truly, love"" "but what matters is "Terrible and jealous"." "See?" " Ah!" " Indeed!" "Ay, true, the feeling Which fills me, terrible and jealous, truly, love." "Did you get it?" " Yes." " Well, good!" "You'd better play women's parts, right?" "I think so too." "You were a success." "Success is good only for hams, you know." "For a true artist, it's small change." "What I ask myself is:" ""Cavalier, how were you tonight?"" "And when I can answer: very good," "I'm glad." "That's so beautiful." "Today, for example, I'm quite satisfied." "You should be!" "Tell him to come in." "I'd like to see what you can do." " Come in." " Yes." "It's not bad." "But it's too simple." "Understand?" "Because he's not coming in." "Come in!" "Sir..." "I'd like to take your photograph." "I'd like to have a souvenir of this imperishable day." "Please do." "Do!" " Can I photograph my niece with you?" " Your niece?" "He means me." "He's my uncle Leopold." "Ah..." "All right!" "Come on!" "Move!" "But whom do you want to take a photograph of?" "Cyrano or Cavalier?" "Well, I..." "I mean: with or without the nose?" "Without!" "Strike a pose." "Right leg forward, please!" "Like that!" "Hold the pose." "Félicie, look at me." "Perfect!" "Please..." "I'll count to three." "Ready?" "One... two... three." "All right!" "Perfect!" " Thank you." " You're welcome." "What?" "You're here?" "You can't keep that costume." "It's inappropriate." "Change clothes quickly!" "I apologize for my daughter." "Theater makes her lose her head." "You don't seem selfish, madam." " Me?" " Yes." "In our profession, we're used to to judge men..." "and women, and women." "At first glance." "And you must be a mother." "Aren't you?" "I think so, yes." "What's important to you is your daughter's future, isn't it?" "Especially as her father is gone." " If I happened to go too..." " Yes, of course." "You'd like to see her become a great artist?" "A great artist." "She's got everything it takes, you know." " Really?" " She does." "But she must work of course." "She must work with someone capable." "Yes." " Someone dedicated." " Yes." "Excuse me." "Tell me, Mr. Cavalier..." " Would you coach her?" " I would." " We're not wealthy, you know." "Now, please, don't insult me." "I don't know how to thank you." " We can start tomorrow, can't we?" " I'll come with my daughter, of course." "Yes." "Of course." " I would have been frightened." " No, he's very down to earth." "Hurry up!" "I wonder what she's telling him." " Wait!" "There's..." " It's fine." " Goodbye, madam." " Goodbye, sir." "Félicie, my child." "Mr. Cavalier will coach you." "I mean..." "I'm very grateful, Mr. Cavalier." "Come now!" "Why do you not love me, you impudent?" "My god, I am not the one to blame." "Why did you not make yourself loveable?" "I did not prevent you from it, I think." " It's very good." " Yes?" "Very very good." "You've improved tremendously in those three weeks." "I felt it too." "Especially today." "I don't know if it's because of your mother's absence." "Probably." "In front of her, I'm afraid to let myself go, lest I'd scare her." " She's not sick, is she?" " No." "She's too lazy." "She won't come any more." "She doesn't like getting up so early." "I was good?" " A few things have to be improved." " Yes, of course." "Of course..." "Of course, you look lovely." "You have this way of smiling..." "With your teeth forward." "Don't change that." "Don't!" "Then there's that way you have of tidying your hair." "I know nothing prettier." " Thank you!" " Don't swing your arms like an idiot." "You look like the village fool." "I won't do it any more." "I must say the way you walk is perfect." "And that's a difficult thing to do." "And you're graceful." "You're... you're... there's a..." "And you're also so..." "You're so appealing." "All right, but... what's wrong?" "You don't know how to listen!" "What can I do?" "I'll give you a tip." "If you want to be looked at while the other one the other one is talking," "you move in some corner, any corner, you lean back and then, you look at him." "Intensely." "Like this." "Right?" "You understand?" "Yes." "That's it!" "And there's your voice!" "Now of course, it's a captivating, moving voice." "But you don't use it properly, my dear!" "It's too cheerful, too forceful." "A woman's voice must whisper, choke, tall off..." "I've got it." " "Yes, I love him. "" " That's it!" ""And you have the impudence to tell me so!"" ""And why, if it's true, should I not say so?"" "No, no, no." " What now?" " No, no, dear." "Don't do as I do." "Do as I tell you, right?" "I told you to do it frankly." " Honestly." " That's the hardest thing?" "You're a real actress." "I'll work today and I think that tomorrow I'll be frank there." "Yep!" ""But you ought to have driven away that amorous desire. "" ""How can we drive away what gives us pleasure?"" ""And did you not know that it would displease me?"" ""I?" "Not at all. "" ""What harm can it do you"?" "My God!" "I wouldn't like to be the guy you'd give that reply to, you know." "Well, Arnolphe's pain makes her strong." "Yes." "Of course." "Let's go on." ""True." "I ought to rejoice at it. "" ""You do not love me then after all. "" ""You?" " Yes. "" """ " Alack!" "No." " How?" "No!"" ""Would you have me tell a lie?"" ""Why not love me, Madam Imp... "" "Oh, damn!" "I tore down my jacket." "It's nothing." "Only unstitched." "I'll fix it." "You could play housewives too, couldn't you?" ""Heaven!" "You ought not to blame me. "" ""Why did you not make yourself loved?"" ""I did not prevent you, I fancy. "" " It's terrifying." " What is?" "How do you find those modulations?" "How can you sound so candid" " when you say such cruel things." " I don't know." "You don't know love though, do you?" "You haven't loved yet." "No, but I can guess." "You must often be told that you're pretty." " Often." " You like it?" "Sometimes." "You are pretty." "It pleases me that you say so." "That's it!" "Thank you, dear." "Tell me..." "Is there another part you'd like to play, apart from Agnes?" "Yes!" "Joan of Arc." "Joan of Arc..." "What else?" "The girl from Maxim's." "Bravo!" "I'll tell the Odeon manager." "He is a friend of mine." "I can do him this favor, can't I?" "You're not making fun of me when you say that?" "I wouldn't want to joke about that." "Mum will be so glad." "What are you laughing at?" "Your shoes make a funny noise." "They do?" "Do they?" "Yes." "I'm unlucky with my shoes." "They usually make this noise when they're new but mine are worn out and they're still at it." "They may be calling for help." "I'll go and see your mum tonight to give her the news." "You'll have supper with us." "Don't come too late." "MANAGER'S OFFICE" "It's no use insisting then?" "You know me." "It's quite useless." "Goodbye, children." "I apologize, sir." "I knocked." "What do you want?" "It's about..." "Good morning, sir." "It's about that girl I told you about." "You're not hiring another one, are you?" "There's too many of us already." "I thought I'd said goodbye." "I'll see her in a minute." " What about my sets?" " Let's talk about them, yes." "Thank God, I can do several things at the same time." "For the first act, it's the old park." "I'd like the big trees on the North side to be covered in moss." "Just so." "Take a seat, miss, please." "Thank you." "I hope you can speak louder." "Yes of course, sir, but she's somewhat shy." "Well, miss." "You have something prepared?" "Yes, sir." "It's too much now, too much." "What did you prepare?" "A scene from the last act of "School for wives" by Molière." "I shall play opposite her, if I may." "Yes, but spare us your declamation." "I know what you can do with it." "Thank you, sir." "Get started." ""Oh, traitress, that is because you love him. "" ""Yes, I love him. "" ""And you have the impudence to tell me so!"" ""Why, if it is true, should I not say so"?" ""Ought you love him, minx?"" ""Alack, can I help it?"" ""He alone is the cause of it;" "I was..." "No use going on." "She's not ready." "But I'll do something with her." " You think so too, do you?" " Unquestionably." "I'll hire her." "You've worked with Cavalier?" "Yes, he was good enough to coach me a little." "All I can say is that it's obvious." "That much, sir?" "I'll take care of that." "One Cavalier here is enough." "Now, gentlemen, will you go out." "I must talk to this young lady." "You know the way is not paved with gold." " I know." " Will 150 francs a month do?" " It will." " You'll sign tomorrow." "You must know I say "tu" to my young actresses." "And it stops there." "No point in sweet talking or fainting when I approach," "My love is elsewhere." "Nothing counts but what you do on stage." " Goodbye." " Goodbye, sir." " So?" " I sign tomorrow." " You're glad?" " Crazy with joy." " I did well, didn't I?" " You were wonderful." "But what did Mr. Pradel mean by his "One Cavalier is enough"?" "Ah... you noticed that." "What he meant is that even when they're very good, you mustn't do as your masters do." "You must develop your own personality, your own nature." "He said so mainly so as not to pay you." "How much will you get?" " A hundred and fifty francs?" " A hundred and fifty francs!" "It's shameful, really shameful." "I'll see about this." "I apologize, sir." "You again!" "I apologize to have to remind you of that little detail but a week ago, you promised me a 50 francs raise per month." "Yes indeed." "What was I thinking of then?" "What's agreed is agreed." "I would have..." "I mean..." "I'd like ask to ask you for a favor." "Another one?" "I'd like you add those 50 francs to the 150 Miss Nanteuil will earn." "And she shouldn't know that it comes from me." "Quite nice of you." "I wouldn't have thought you'd be capable of doing this." " You will do it?" " Yes." " Thank you." " You like her that much?" "Poor guy, I think you're in for a tough time of things." "If, as the saying goes, you need to suffer to have talent," "I think you'll have a brilliant career." ""Hope in thy manly resolution;" "hope in my promise,"" ""and already possessing the heart of thy mistress,"" ""to overcome a scrupulous feeling of honor which is contending against thee." ""Let time, thy valor, and thy king exert themselves. "" "The Thursday matinées audience is the worst." "They don't like tragedies any more." "There's too much honor in them." "When you think about it, honor in our time..." "So?" "Done!" "Watch out!" "I told him: what youre doing to this girl is dishonorable." "You have no right to exploit her." "So you'll get 200 francs." "It's wonderful." "I have to kiss you!" "See?" "There's already applause for you." " I feel like it is mine." " Don't worry, you'll get yours one day." ""First appearance of Miss Félicie Nanteuil"" ""as Lucinde in "Doctor in spite of himself"" "Leave it!" "I'll do it faster by myself." "You'll never get it." "Yes, but remember to play it like a rose in bud." "The part demands it." " No stage fright?" " Yes." "A lot." "It's lucky you only appear in the second act." "I wonder if it's so lucky." "Yes, but you shouldn't worry, you'll be quite all right." " Do you love me?" " It isn't the right time." "She might hear." "On stage now." "That's me, I have to go." "No, don't thank me, knock on wood!" " He must bore you." " Me?" "Not at all." "Mum!" "Mum!" " I'm so happy!" " Congratulations!" "It's a pity you're ill." "You'd have been proud." " Good evening, sir." " Good evening, madam." "Obviously, he doesn't like you, Mr. Cavalier." "I'll lock him away." "Yes." "I didn't expect you so early." "We came straight from the theater." "Though I told her to, she wouldn't dine with our friends." "I knew this one was ready for me." "Your face is still smeared." "Smeared!" "Did you hear her?" "She says my face is smeared." "It's make-up, mum." "Call it what you like, it doesn't look nice." "I had to take five curtain calls." "The others did too." "The others did too but I was the one making my debut." "And imagine..." "Some people shouted "Nanteuil!" "Nanteuil!"" "Students!" "Students, you say..." "And so, Mr. Cavalier, you're pleased with your pupil?" "Very pleased, yes." "Really?" "You don't seem to be." "He is!" "Perhaps you have some personal problems?" " You look sad." " Not at all." "Why should he be sad?" "He was a success too." "The one most jealous of my success was Fagette." "My good friend Fagette!" "She was green with envy." "I thought she was going to be sick." " You won't eat?" " I'm too happy to be hungry." "I would have liked champagne." "A pity we've got no money." "Mr. Cavalier will excuse me." "But now that I've seen you, been happy with you," " I'll take care of my headache." " No, stay, please." "No, good night, darling." " Good night, Mr. Cavalier." " Good night, madam." "Don't keep her up too late, please." "She doesn't feel it but she must be very tired." "Good evening." " Good night, mum." " Good night, darling." "Why didn't you come to our place?" "I couldn't let my poor mum wait for hours." " There was champagne there." " Well, too bad, there it is." "Why did you ask your mother to stay?" "Because of the scene I knew you'd make." "I'm not making a scene, darling." "I adore you." "I know, but you're so clumsy." "Forgive me?" "Yes." "But only because I had a triumph." "Well, my dear, I don't think you understand your job." " But you do, don't you?" " It's just that you only see appearances, the glitter, the applause." "There's more to it, my dear." "There's more." "There's work!" "You must work." "With you." "Two hours a day with you." "Yes!" "I shall work." "Come on, say something." "If mum hears nothing, she'll think we're kissing." "What do you want me to say?" "I've said what I think." "Yes, but still when all is left to imagination..." "But you know, we, actors, can only feel things." "To express them, we need other people's words." "That's nice!" "This way, mum will see we're doing nothing wrong." "I got back to the small room of love, and far from our madness, to which you brought me every day your love, your pretty grace." "You remember?" "Come back, will you?" "Your absence has destroyed my life." "Really, Mr. Cavalier, you're not reasonable." "You make her sing now!" "I'm sorry, madam." "He'll leave in a short while." "But you'll catch cold here." " It's late." "Go to bed." " Yes, mum." "You must go now." "You'll come tomorrow." "Into our small room, won't you?" " Well..." " Yes, you will." "All right, I will." "Good night, Mr. Cavalier." "50th performance of "Doctor Despite Himself. " No Matinée." "Congratulate me, bring me flowers." "I shall play Yolande in "The Night of October 5th"" " Oh, my dear, I must kiss you." " Fagette will be furious." " You won't, will you?" " No, I'm very happy with my part." " And you'll be Mérilleuse." " Unfortunately, I won't." " They haven't done this to you!" " They have!" "I won't act in that play then!" " You're crazy." " It's revolting!" "The author promised it to him." "It doesn't matter." "I'll resign." " I'll show them we're not all boors." " You won't refuse that part." "I can't accept such sacrifice." " You'll have to." " It's a great part." "You can't give it up." "I'd be sorry to, of course." "Look at that scene in Act I with Mérilleuse." " Can you imagine yourself playing it?" " Oh, yes indeed." ""Cousin, I woke up in a merry mood this morning. "" ""Poor little one, if only she knew... "" ""The birds were singing in the trees." "I felt like singing with them. "" ""Your cheerfulness tears at my heart. "" ""Cousin, what pleasure there is to feel loved. "" " "Loved"." " How beautiful!" "It really gets you." "But after all, it might all sort itself out." "Lots of things might happen before the Premiere, two months off." "Yes but come on, carry on!" ""But what's with you?" "You're pale." "Do you feel sorrow?"" ""No. "" ""Hide nothing from me, I'm your friend. "" ""Well... my poor little thing," ""you'll know it eventually," ""Gonzague... "" """ " Gonzague?" " Gonzague is dead. "" ""He was in a fox-hunt, his horse bolted," ""He was found..." "with a hole in his temple. "" ""Oh, God!"" " It's really interesting!" " Here's the champagne." " Oh, how nice to get some in." " No sorry, I didn't order it." "This is Miss Fagette's dressing-room, isn't it?" " The room opposite." " Oh, sorry!" "I forgot I was invited." "Excuse me." "Fagette invites you now." "No, a man of the world." "A count, my dear." "I'll go, peasants." "Come on, Michon, help me." "I'll see you later." " We'll be in that play." " Yes, of course." "I drink to two of the most beautiful girls in Paris." "I drink to one of the most generous gentlemen in Paris." " Still blasé?" " I'm not blasé." "I found Lydie most delightful as a nanny." " I'd love to be in Sganarelle's place." " Oh, really!" "Don't get carried away!" " I don't think so, he looks sincere." " Sincerity is my main characteristic." "If you were to ask which of you I prefer" " We're asking." " I'd say I don't know." " What a lout!" " That's what I feared." "If I were in your place, I wouldn't hesitate." "Anyway, tonight he'll choose you because I'm not free." " No!" " What a pity!" "Let's drink to forget." "Now, children, good evening." "See you soon." " What's her name?" " Don't tell me you like her." " She's a Rubens." " That's the point." "A talking Rubens." "What are you looking at?" "Now, don't forget." "We rehearse tomorrow at five." "You always say it at the last moment." "But I'll be here at five." " Don't be late." " Where are we starting?" "Wait!" "Wait!" "By..." "Excuse me one second." "Miss, excuse me but" "Miss Fagette would be pleased if you had a glass of champagne with her." "Nothing could surprise me more." "You're sure you're not the one making the invitation?" "Quite sure and I even ask you to come with us to the "Jardin de Paris"." " Nice of you." " I'm very nice, you know." " You saw what they did to Cavalier?" " Yes." "So what?" "You don't find it revolting?" "I find it careful." "Cavalier in that part is a sure disaster." " You're so mean." " You see him playing a duke?" " Quite well." " You can't know many dukes." " Not many, it's true." " You see him loved by a woman?" "Oh, sorry!" "Now, in life and in the theater, it's different." " Of course!" " Ligny, what do you think of Cavalier?" "I'd rather not say." " Why?" " Because you'll hold it against me." "You probably find him very bad." " Very bad." " By what right do you judge him?" "He's a member of the audience." "Who's more often backstage than in the theater." "The artists deserve pity." "They give everything and some idler declares them to be dismal." "Just because he heard some jealous colleague say so." "I'm sorry I drank your champagne, monsieur." "I'm sorry I smiled at you." "Well, my dear, snap out of it!" "She's delightful." "Come in!" "Look at this man of the world." "Don't I look like a duke?" "I don't know many dukes." "You needn't look like a Duke to go out for a beer." "Beer, I?" "I don't think so." "And what do you think?" "We have an invitation, my dear." "Champagne and the works." " Who invited you?" " One of my fans." "A young man who's followed my career for two years." "He thinks I deserve better." "So he's happy to offer me some entertainment." "Don't worry, I made sure you were invited too, of course." "And we're going to "Le jardin de Paris"." "How did you guess that?" "Please come in, my dear friend." "May I introduce Count Robert de Ligny, Miss Félicie Nanteuil." "You must be bothered all the time by people like me." "No!" "Today young people have no sense of value." "An artist puts everything he's got into a scene," "Idlers come in their fine clothes and declare him to be dismal." "I'm sure I've heard that somewhere before." "I think your Monsieur Robert is an unforgettable creation." "You're very kind." "When Martine tells you:" ""You're a sot", you have such a stupid expression..." "It takes intelligence to look so silly." "Yes." "Actually, it's not difficult, looking idiotic is in my nature." "Are we going to spend the evening praising this genius?" "I'm here to dance." "Your orders are desires." "My poor fellow..." "What?" "What's with you?" "You're so stupid!" "Why?" "Tell me please." "Can't you see he's making fun of you?" "No, no." "I don't see it." "In each of his sentences, he tries to belittle you in my eyes." "Does he?" " Of course, he's in love with you..." " In love?" "No, but he likes me." " You're extraordinary." " Can't you see he's after me?" "No, I don't think so." "He didn't talk to you, he didn't compliment you." "That's probably why you're vexed." "I can do without his compliments." "No, don't be ridiculous, please." "He's going after Fagette." "Look at them!" " Fagette, please, dance with Cavalier." " He's a bad dancer." "Do this for me." " You really want me to?" " Really." " Aren't you too young for this job?" " Be nice." "Come on, Cavalier." "Show this man how artists dance." "No, thank you." "No chance!" " Come on." " No, everyone will laugh at me." " Alfred says hello!" " Come on!" "She's terrible." "Would you dance this waltz?" "I'm too tired to dance." " We could talk then." " I don't want to talk either." "Let's end it then." "He is really quite nice but Félicie hates him." "I'm happy to see they're not bored." "Something worries me though." "It's a little indiscreet but will you marry your friend?" "Cavalier?" "Alfred says hello!" " I apologize." " Why do you use such expressions?" "From Cavalier it's acceptable." "Everything is, coming from him." "Coming from you, no." "It sounds theater-like." "Thank you, Professor." "I won't do it again." "I only meant that I wouldn't marry Cavalier." " Can I offer you some violets?" " You can." "If you were Fagette, I'd send you a ring but" "I have the feeling you'll like violets better." "That's right." "You think that's clever?" "Thank you." " Another glass of champagne, Cavalier?" " No, thank you." "I want to see things clearly." " What do you mean?" " I don't have to explain." "Enough!" "You don't treat your dancing partners well." "It was really a great evening." "Can I come in?" "How are you doing, Dr Socrates?" " Congratulations, my friend!" " Why?" "You don't knock before you enter, so I assume you've made progress into our lovely star's heart." "A distinguished man like you cares about such things?" "That's just great!" "The loves of others is all I have left from an eventful life." "You think we're in love?" "May I be honest?" " No, don't be." " You see." "May I?" "You smell nice." "You wear as much perfume as a loose woman." " Well, Félicie?" " What?" "You won't go on a date with me?" " Who told you that?" " You." "Wait for me in a cab after the show." "At the corner of rue de Tournan." "What a surprise!" "Cavalier!" "Good evening!" "This is not a dressing-room, it's a station." "My compliments to the station master's wife." "It's not Cavalier's fault." "Mr. Ligny had left the door open." "Did you?" "When you're inside, you should close the door for the others." "On stage in five minutes." "Goodbye!" "Félicie!" " Leave me alone!" " How long will this go on?" "So now I will never see you alone." "I will always see this Ligny making himself at home in your dressing-room." "You're at it again!" "I know, I know." "I'm not like Monsieur de Ligny." " You don't need to shout." " You seem to forget that I made you." " Stop it, please!" " You don't need me any more." "You're a great actress now." "But I won't leave it at that." "Hear me?" "I won't leave it at that." "That's what you had to say?" "Leave me alone now." "She's so forgetful!" "She's forgotten her handkerchief!" " She cries all the time in the play." " She won't need it to cry." "That won't bother her." "In real life she can't cry." "She's got no heart." "She needs sympathy." "These are bad days." "There's no audience any more, no theater, no critics." "Don't feel sorry for her." "She'll get everything she wants because she's mean." "And if you're mean, nothing's impossible." "People who have hearts can jump in the river." "But I'll get what I want too, because I'll be mean too." "You can't imagine how happy I am." " You're so marvelous." " You're not bad either." "Where are we going?" "I really don't care, as long as we're going there together." "Yet it's fun to know." "I told you, there's a party at my mother's and I must go and apologize for not being there." "I always keep my word." "Yet, when you told me a moment ago," ""Wait for me in a cab"" "I did not hesitate." " You used "tu" for the first time." " It just slipped out." "I hope not." "I even felt like there was something in your voice." "There was something." "As if you'd never used that voice before." "You're not stupid, you understood at once." "So this is the beginning for you and me?" "The great story?" "For you and me, it's the beginning." "It might be the great story." " Is your mother a countess too?" " She is a countess too." "Don't get impatient." " You've got three minutes." " All right." "If you're too long, I'll leave but as I can't pay, I'll send the cab back." "Mr. Cavalier, why didn't you stay until the end?" "I thought you'd bring Félicie back." "I hurried to get my make-up off but she'd already gone." "Strange!" "Indeed!" "She might be with some other friends." "Probably!" "Probably!" "She's got lots of friends." "Good!" "She had such a lonely childhood." "She did?" "Tell me, Mrs. Nanteuil..." "You haven't noticed anything recently?" "I haven't." "Well..." "Doesn't she go out a lot without saying where she's going?" "No..." "She works in bed all morning and in the afternoon she stays here, reading or talking to me." "She only goes out with you." "But..." "One second!" "I'll lock him away." "Yes, my personal enemy." "We're no longer in pride of place." "It fell down this morning." "The glass broke." "So we had to... take it to the frame maker's." "You're really kind." "You don't believe me?" "Félicie is a better liar." "She was sorry." "Yes, she was." "You'll wait for her?" "Yes, if you allow me to." "You won't take off your overcoat?" "No..." "Forgive me but I..." "I don't know what's wrong but I feel really cold." "They must be pleased with her at the theater." " They are." "Very pleased." " I knew it." "For the last week, she's been so gay, she sings all the time." "She laughs at the slightest thing." "How strange!" "You don't seem to like it." "Please excuse me but now..." "Now, I feel hot." "Are you sure you're not ill?" "No, I'm not." "The frame maker already brought it back." "What about you, Mr. Cavalier?" "Are you happy?" "What?" "Me?" "You mustn't lose heart." "In life, there are always bad times." "That's what I always tell Félicie." "I'm not worried about the theater." "I'm sure I'll make a name for myself one day." "And a great one!" "But what use is it being a great artist if... if you're not happy." "This way, please." "No, that's fine." "If you need anything, just ring for me." " Thank you!" " Madame, monsieur..." "Cozy for us, don't you think?" "He was trying to create the right atmosphere." "He's used to it." "Yes, but we're different." "That's what they say." "I shouldn't have brought you here." "It's silly because we have our own house." "Don't make fun of me." "Since I've met you, I only think of this," "A quiet place to forget anything that's not us." "And even before I knew you'd accept living there," "I got it ready." "It's on the Boulevard de Villiers, a big, country-like avenue." "There's not much greenery but in what I call the garden there's a funny-looking tree." "all twisted, like a man making signals." "How many women have already been there?" "None, I swear." "For instance, if we went there now, unexpectedly, you'd see at least ten pictures of you on the walls." "I got them from magazines and they're framed." " Want to bet?" " It's a bet." "We're not serious enough." "You must not be mistaken." "What is starting today for us is something important." "I know." "I wouldn't like you to think you're just a theater girl for me, as Fagette, as they say." "I know." "You may have been wrong to start saying "tu" so quickly." "I would have liked to bumble, to stammer to look somewhat foolish." "Yes, you're right." "It's a pity." "Well..." "What's done is done." "Too bad!" "Besides, the way you looked straight at me, giving up all your womanly tricks, was not bad either." "Thank you." "I hope, if you're like me, that you felt struck on the head by a hammer and that you couldn't talk any more." " Hold me tight, will you?" " I want to." "And for a long time, I beg you, for a long time." " 2:20." " She will be here soon." "Aren't you worried?" "She's never been this late before, has she?" "I've already said "yes"." "Don't you worry she's been in an accident?" "What accident?" "You're so excessive, you actors." "By dint of acting in dramas you see dramas everywhere." "All the same... 2:20!" "You were waiting for me?" "I had taken off my shoes so as not to wake you up." "Mr. Cavalier has been waiting for you." "Nice of him, isn't it?" "Couldn't you at least say "hello"?" "I'm famished." "Go to bed or you'll be exhausted." " Cavalier will keep me company." " Couldn't you say "Mr. Cavalier"?" " I don't mind." " Mr. Cavalier will keep me company." " Good night, darling." " I can't kiss you, my mouth is full." "Good night, Mr. Cavalier." "Good night, madam." "Come on, make your scene." " You come back at 2 a. m. now?" " Yes indeed." "And without having had supper?" "Yes indeed." "Ligny took you back home, didn't he?" "Contradict me!" "Say he didn't!" "You were taken back in a cab." "I heard it stop outside." "It's not true." "You usually hang around in your dressing-room." "You hurried last night." "You shouldn't smile." "I'll tell that man what I think." "No, you won't." "I forbid you." "If you talk to him and say more to him than "hello" or "goodbye"" "I won't see you any more." "You won't see me anymore?" "I'm free to do as I want." "You have no right to interfere in my life." "I have no right?" "You're saying I have no right?" "Even if you have the right, I don't want you to." "But yet, Félicie, remember, I..." "You used to be mine." "You wouldn't want me to think about it all day, would you?" "Ah, one can say that you're really mean." "Be mean, be as mean as you will." "What does it matter since I love you?" "Listen..." "We'll begin our love again." "Right?" "And everything will be all right this time, you'll see." "I'm an honest man, you know." "As soon as I have a position, I'll marry you." "What makes you laugh?" "My marrying you or my getting a situation?" "Both." "You don't believe I have a future?" "Well, you're wrong." "You're wrong because I'm a great artist." "Understand?" "All that sorrow you make me feel, I know how I'll express it." "And when they applaud me, because they will applaud me, you'll see, you'll say then that it's because you were mean." "Poor fellow!" "I pity you." "I'm not your poor fellow, I'm your darling." "You loved me and you'll love me again." "Listen!" "Listen, Félicie." "We'll start with our beautiful life again." "All right?" "Only, I want," "Hear me, I want you to be mine and only mine." "Leave me alone, I'm busy." "I don't want to see that fool in your dressing-room again." "Don't shout, mum's asleep." "That fool, yes!" "For one, he is a diplomat, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is where the good-for-nothing go." "The black cards are at the bottom." "I don't want this Ligny to become your lover." "What if he already is?" "Can't you see I'm joking?" "Yes." "Yes, it's possible." "You're capable of making jokes like that." "To prevent a tragedy," "I advise you not to see Ligny." "All right?" "Knock at the caretaker's window, she'll open the door." "You're miles off." "It's not that at all." "Carmet, give me some light, we can't see anything." "Marius!" "Some light!" "You won't be ready in time." "It's going to be a disaster." "No, it's not possible." " Hello, Félicie." " Hello." " What's wrong with him?" " So you noticed." "Yes." "He's not his usual self." "He certainly isn't." "We don't really know him." "We don't know what he is capable of." "He very nearly knocked me down last night." "You've left him then." "Not yet." " I would like to, but I can't." " Why?" "I'm scared." "It's silly of me but he frightens me." "The way he said: "To prevent a tragedy, I advise you not to see Ligny. "..." "The men you leave always make threats but they never do anything." "Cavalier isn't like the others." "Mum, I wonder if he's not crazy." "Yes, yes." "Let's start!" "Where's Cavalier?" "I'm here, sir." "Where's Vouville?" "My name is Durville, sir." "Cavalier, let me explain the scene." "It's a silent scene." " Of course!" " But it's the turning point of the play." "If you do it in the wrong way, the play's done for." " My play stands better than that." " Quiet!" "I have the right to speak." "I'm the author, after all." "After all." "That's what I said." "Quiet!" "I withdraw my play." "It's simple." "I withdraw it." "You come in mysteriously." "Cautiously." "You're here to steal the Marchioness's letters." "So you don't want to get caught." "Mysteriously." "You force open the secretaire." "You take the letters." "Then Trouville comes in." "My name's Durville." "He wants to stop you." "So you take him by his throat." "You strangle him and flee through the attic window." " Through the attic window?" " Nothing could be simpler." "Let's do it!" "Granville, you wait for my signal." "From the top, Carmet." "Now, Cavalier." "No, old boy, no!" "No, you're going through the walls." "Cavalier always gets in through the walls." "The door is near the chair." "Ah!" "Near the chair." "Indeed!" "Come on!" "Start!" "No, no." "Come on..." "I said cautiously!" "Your shoes are enough to raise the alarm." "Yes but I'll change them, Sir." "Go to the desk." "Look up to make sure you're not seen and force it open." "You look silly." "Haven't you ever forced open a secretaire?" "Not yet, Sir." "But pretend, pretend!" "There might be specialists in the audience." "It's a disaster!" "I withdraw my play." "All right, let's say you forced it open." "You search." "You find the letters." "No, no "Ah"!" "It's a silent scene." " No, really, I withdraw my play." "You walk forward." "You look for a way out." "I want you then to give the feeling that you're a different man." "You have a woman's honor in your hands." "It doesn't weigh much." "And now Cheville, you come in." "My name's not Cheville, it's Durville." " Say your lines." " "You scoundrel!"" "No, it's all wrong." "Shout it!" ""You scoundrel!"" "Right!" "Now you fight." "No, no." "It's all wrong!" "Don't dance!" "Fight!" "Good!" "Now, Cavalier, you take Seville by the throat and you strangle him." "Bravo!" "Bravo, Cavalier!" "You're admirable!" "One would think you're a specialist." "You were a living picture of murder." "He almost strangled me." "I told you that he is crazy." "And now you get away!" "Don't stay there, someone might come." "Get to the window." "Quickly!" "Wait!" "Carmet, the stove is not in the right place." "How can Cavalier get to the window?" " Put the stove there." " No, don't worry." "No need to change anything." "I can do it." "This animal is as agile as a monkey." "He will be a tremendous success." "Especially after his strangling scene." "And you wanted to play the Duke of Merigneuse..." "You're at your best playing murderers." " I didn't know." " You'll be great." "Thank you, sir." "Wonderful!" " Great, my dear, great!" " Incredible!" "No, really, I withdraw my play." "If it's like that again, I withdraw my play." "Let's start at Fagette's entrance." "Fagette, you come in stage right." "You, Blinville, you're dead." "May I come in?" " Of course." " Come in." "Let's not be scared." "So?" "I have not been too bad?" "You were great!" "Glowing!" "Your exit was so..." "Well..." "You know it." "They've told you." "I'm only interested in your opinion." "It was mostly the murder scene." "You looked so sinister, all of a sudden." "Such an expression of hate." "And afterwards, you looked so much like a murderer." "It was not acting." "You were frightening." "I frightened you?" "Yes." "Like yesterday night, right?" "Like I frightened you last night." "Yes, I understand what you mean." "But don't worry, I've thought a lot about all this." "All night." "Now I know that I'll never be able to kill anyone." "I have a terrible headache." "I'll go home." "Good night, my dear." "But she told you she's got a terrible headache." "Félicie!" "Won't you have supper with me at the cabaret?" "I'd be so glad." " No way!" " To celebrate my success." "No!" " Why won't you?" " Leave me alone." "You're annoying." "Félicie, I love you so much." "You make me suffer too much." "It's over!" "Over, over!" "Hear me?" "I can't stand you." "It's not my fault." "Félicie, be careful!" "I'm not scared of you any more." "Félicie, it's the last time we speak to one another tonight." "So before something bad happens," "I must tell you," "I can't force you to love me but" "I don't want you to love another, you understand?" "For the last time, I advise you not to see Monsieur de Ligny again." "Enough with your advice." "I won't let you be his." "You!" "Poor fellow!" "Yes." "Yes, me." "Me." "You can get what you want, you know." "Only, you have to pay the price." "No, I'd rather walk." "Now there's no need for us to hide." "Follow us." "I'll see you tomorrow at our place, Boulevard Villiers." "That's great!" "There!" "There!" "There!" "Behind the trees!" " He saw us." "He was waiting." " Who?" "It's a man I don't know." "Who would be looking at us through the trees?" "Yes, you're right." "Silly of me." "I adore you." " It's you." "You scared me." " I forgot my keys." " It's stupid." "You should be careful." " Why did it take so long to open up?" "Why are you staying in the dark?" "I saw him." "He was hiding behind the trees." " What is he doing?" " What are you talking about?" "I can't stay here." "But..." "Félicie!" "A lady's waiting for Monsieur in a cab." " A lady?" " A very pretty lady." "But I don't think the countess knows her." "Don't leave me alone, I beg you." "What's wrong now?" "When I'm with you, I feel fine, I'm not scared any more." " What about going to Villiers?" " Please..." "Would that be reasonable?" "Reasonable?" "I don't know." " I'd be happy." " You wouldn't be afraid anymore?" "58 Boulevard de Villiers." " You're coming with no hat and coat?" " I'm coming as I am." " We're being followed." " Who would be following us?" "I don't know." " One of your women?" " Come on, don't be ridiculous." " What's that coach?" " It's a cab, darling." "Why has it stopped here?" "It hasn't stopped here but in front of the house next door." "There's no house there, only a vacant lot." "It's stopped in front of a vacant lot." "I can't say more." " Nobody's coming out." " The cabman may be waiting for someone." " In front of a vacant land?" " Probably, darling." "Come inside." "Why aren't you closing the gate?" "Look!" "The maid forgot to close the shutters." "I don't like this tree." "Its branches are like big snakes." "One is almost reaching into the bedroom." "Come on, darling." " Your idea's really sweet." " Which one?" "I have so many sweet ideas." "To have a fire and a supper waiting for us." "I'll have many others." "I feel capable of much inventiveness to make you happy." "It's a pity!" "I have nothing left to give you." "My love for you is not even complicated." "I don't want to expect surprises from it." "I love you." "Very simply." "Candidly." "I'm taking off my stockings." "It's more comfortable." "You poor old thing, you're not happy either, are you?" "You're so beautiful." "You don't love me because of that, do you?" "It's not the only reason." "I can assure you it isn't." "Because there are more beautiful girls, more distinguished, finer." "I don't think so." "Some days I'm ill-at-ease, you see." "I don't think I'm pretty enough." "A man like you deserves so much better." "On those days I'm happy to be an actress." "I say to myself that my profession taught me to be several women in one." "And that you're amused at being loved by several women." "I'm not amused, I'm deeply moved." "You were quite fun at first," "I fear I didn't attach enough importance to you." " But now I know." " What do you know?" "If we make too many concessions, we risk losing everything." "My wife." " Your wife?" " Yes." "You want to marry me?" "Yes, I know: my mother, my career." "But this is not my life." "You are my life." "So it's very simple." "What do you think?" " It's too good." "It's not possible." " It's more than possible." "It's done." "Now nothing can keep us apart." "Can't you hear that shouting?" "No." "Listen..." "I can hear footsteps in the night." " Not that cab again." " Be quiet." "You're crazy!" "Where are you going barefoot?" "There's someone in the garden." " Oh dear!" " I'm sure of it, Robert." "But who on earth would come under our windows?" "You'd rather I had a look?" "It would please you?" "You'll be reassured afterwards?" "You'll let us sleep in peace?" "Don't come any closer." "Listen!" "I forbid you to belong to one another." "This is my last will." "Goodbye, Félicie." "Cavalier..." "Cavalier, my old friend." "Oh, my God." " It's my most grievous fault." " You can't stay here." "Make your preparations." "Jamet, I didn't see you at the Père Lachaise this morning." "You're lucky." "He was everywhere." "He was showing off so much you'd have thought he was the deceased." "In any case, Cavalier had a fine audience." "There was no Minister but four of them were from the Comédie Française." "Lift it up now." "I think he killed himself because of Nanteuil." "You don't know hams, dear." "He killed himself to make an impression, and for no other reason." " Your speech was great, Sir." " It reminded me of Bossuet." " I hope mine will be as nice." " Count on me." "What you said about Cavalier almost made me break down in tears." "One wonders where you got all this." "I liked Cavalier." "He was bad, that's true, but he jumped well, didn't he?" " Who will replace him?" " I will." "Speak, damn it." "Try to look natural." "If you can." "Félicie, darling!" "Darling." "My poor girl!" "Fool!" "Come on!" "Leave her alone." "Let's work!" "Let's see the great scene in one." " Oh no, please!" " Sorry, honey, but it's indispensable." " I'll try." " Get away!" "Get away!" "Let's rehearse." "You come in from the back, cheerful, with an armful of flowers." ""Cousin, I woke up in a cheerful mood this morning. "" ""Poor girl!" "If she knew. "" ""The birds were singing in the trees. "" ""I wanted to sing too. "" "" Your cheerfulness tears at my heart"" ""Ah, cousin, what pleasure it is to feel loved!"" ""But what's wrong?" "You're so pale. "" ""Are you in sorrow?" "Do not hide from me, I'm your friend. "" ""Well, poor child, you'll have to know eventually," ""Gonzague is dead." "He was found with a hole in his head. "" "With a hole in his head?" "With a hole in his head!" "Yes, Cavalier died with a hole in his head." "What?" "What's wrong?" "What did I say?" "What did I do?" "Nothing." "Let's start again." ""Well, poor child, you'll have to know eventually," ""Gonzague is dead." "He was found with a hole in his head. "" ""He was following the hunt." "His horse... "" "Cavalier, is that you?" "With the nose or without it?" "With the nose or without it?" "With the nose or without it?" "With the nose or without it?" "Mum!" "Mum!" "I can't take it any more." "Quiet, my child, quiet." "Getting yourself in such a state is so unreasonable." "Mum, if you knew..." "if you knew..." "Yes, you will tell me everything." " But calm down first." " It's not possible." "You don't understand." "I see him everywhere." " My poor darling." " You know, the noise his shoes made, that noise that made us laugh so much," "Well, that's what I hear first." " And then I see him." " In a dream." "No, awake, I see him too." "Exactly as he was in the last days." " He talks to me." " Your mind makes all this up." "What do I care?" "All I know is that he talks to me and I don't want to hear him any more." "But, my poor darling, the dead don't come back." "He knows." "He wants to prevent me from being happy." "He doesn't want me to marry Robert." "He threatens me, he makes fun of me." " Come on, come on." " He threatens me, I'm telling you." "Yet, you know how kind to him I was." "You remember those suppers we made for him." "He loved you so much." "He wouldn't try to harm you." "He is jealous." "It's true, you can't understand, given the life you had." "He is jealous." "When I'm in Robert's arms, when I'm tender with him, he becomes fierce." "Oh, mum." "I can't stand it any more." "Help me, I'm so unhappy." "My poor darling!" "Yet I try to see Robert as little as possible." "I tell him that I'm busy, that I have lots of work." "But it seems it's too much." "Cavalier thinks it's too much." "Calm down, darling." "So I won't see Robert again." "Never again." "My life won't mean anything but I can't go mad, can I?" "You'll tell him, won't you." "You'll explain everything." "You can be happy now." "It's all over." "Because of you, as you wanted, he's gone." "A fortnight ago." "And he won't come back." "He won't come back." "So please be reasonable." "I understand you got your revenge, it's only natural, but you're not mean." "Please don't frighten me any more." "Don't come any more." "I'll come." "Often." "I'll bring you flowers." "If I was mean to you, people don't always get along well," "but you must forgive me." "The wrongs I did to you, I got all back." "He's not here, he's in the streets, in the houses, in the bedrooms." "He is not here." "He is not here." " Miss Nanteuil can't be seen." " Even by me?" "Especially for you." "Tonight, I feel she'd be glad to see me again." "Before going on stage?" "You're crazy." " Just tell her that I'm back." " I won't say anything of the sort." "She works, she's calm." "She doesn't think of you." "Besides she told me several times:" "she won't see you." " Who was it?" " The stage manager." "He says we're on in five minutes." "Strange!" "I thought I had recognized him." "What?" "Nothing!" "Nothing." " Let go of me." " No, darling, we've done enough harm." "Let go of me, I said." "I was wrong that day, much more than he was." " I should have asked for your forgiveness before." " Let go of me." "So you don't want to be happy?" "Let go of me, my darling." "You see, I need you." "You can always make me laugh." " Yet I don't want to." " If you weren't with me..." "Robert!" "It's not the only one." "There are many others." "Look!" "Look!" "I don't like that one." "You don't look sad." "Yet we had not been seeing one another for 33 days." "You've been counting the days." "What else could I do?" "My poor darling, your blouse is soaked." " You hypocrite!" " Honest, it's soaked." "Darling." " You're not afraid of me now?" " No." "Oh, Robert!" "All those photos of me." "I love this one." " It seems like you really missed me." " Well, actually, I missed you." "You remember what you told me on the Boulevard de Villiers?" "That actresses are several women in one." "You were all these women." "For other people than me." "Please forgive me." "Did you see me in this?" "Every time you performed, I was front stage center" "I had such reviews!" "Well, those three verses:" ""The day begins. and the sun climbs the sky and then declines," ""And Titus will not see his Berenice." ""And all day long she will not look on Titus! "" "I was thinking of you every night." "Love is strange." "I hated you so much that now I love you better." "How lucky I am." "Robert..." "Do you think it's possible?" "Do you think we can still be happy?" "Yes." " We were stupid." " Especially me." "You've always known that I still loved you." "I hoped so." " You stayed faithful to me?" " Yes." "You were faithful to me?" "Now nothing can tear us apart." "Darling..." " Darling!" " No, Robert, I can't hear you." "I can't hear you any more." "There he is with a hole in his head and blood in his mouth." " He's speaking to me." " Félicie!" "Félicie!" "I'm sorry." "I must be going mad." "Félicie, you must live." "Live!" "He's not concerned about us." "He's forgiven us, I'm sure of it." "Forgiven?" "That's what he says, over and over," "I can hear him speaking to me in a strange voice." "Maybe his voice now." "He says the same things again and again." "I'll stop you from belonging to one another." "I'll stop you!" "I'll stop you!" "Félicie!" "There's no voice but my own." "Stop thinking about him." "Don't let him win!" "It would be horrible." "We have the right to live and be happy." "He can't stop us." "We loved each other well, the two of us." "Now it's over." "We will not belong to one another." "Never again." "Never again." "He won't let us." ""FRANCE FIRST"" ""A maid, Félicie Nanteuil. "" ""By MAX and FELICIE NANTEUIL"" "FÉLICIE NANTEUIL "FORGIVE ME"'" ""No one has the right to steal my happiness from me. "" ""Yet, my cousin, you advise me to wait"" ""Haven't I suffered enough?"" ""The only happiness is the one I don't deserve. "" ""Because you didn't see me crying,"" ""you don't believe in my sorrow. "" ""Yet don't try to come between us"" ""for though I may be weak, I shall break you down. "" "Well, you're quite an enthusiastic spectator." "My husband has always liked the theater." "Haven't you, Robert?" "It's true, is it not, Robert?" "You don't think of her anymore?" "You've forgotten her?" "She is nothing but an actress to you?" "Let's not make your friend wait." "You should have worn your scarf." "You know you have a fragile throat." "You always talk to me like to a child." "It's annoying." "Especially as I feel so old." "So much older than you." "You locked the door to your dressing-room?" "What does it matter." "They won't steal my job from me." "As it's all I have left." "You know he was there, Robert De Ligny?" "Michon, don't forget to get foie gras and marron glacé." "We'll have a granny's supper, the three of us together." "Yes, my darling, yes." "English subtitles by cinephage and nottsforest"