Original subtitles

Lucien Guitry was the greatest actor of his time.

No one, I believe, would dispute that.

Jules Renard said of him that he would dispense with all others.

This the only moving image which exists of him.

Lucien Guitry was born in Paris December 13, 1860,

at number 27 rue de Valois.

But he was a Norman.

If he'd been born in August, he'd be a native of Merlerault in Orne.

But if he'd been born 100 years earlier, he'd be a native of Guitry

a tiny village, the name of which has been ours since the 13th century

and which is located in Eure, 25 kilometres from Les Andelys.

But it was at Merlerault that his father was born

and that's where his parents would spend the summer months.

Lucien Guitry visited this village every summer.

Always alone, he liked to walk there.

He saw again like this the places he'd kept living in his memory.

The main street, the school

the family farm.

Then, he would stroll to the end of the village.

And it's there that his visit always came to an end.

At number 139 of La Galerie de Valois au Palais Royal

Mr Aubril ran a cutlery business.

A busy store, it prospered

because he was the inventor of a paste for sharpening razors

whose excellence was renowned.

It was applied with a small flat stick

that was rubbed over the razor strap

before honing the blade.

Why do I feel, my dear Guitry

that the idea of associating with us makes you smile?

Because we became good friends.

But I don't see myself behind this counter

selling paste-sticks for sharpening razors.

You wouldn't have to.

Let me offer you this.

Against a 1,500 franc life annuity

I sell you my right-to-lease and the secret of my paste.

- It's not a bad deal! - I've no doubt you're right.

- Is that what Aubril paste is? - It's nothing else.

- And it’s very good? - It's wonderful.

- Really? - Here's the proof.

I use it every day. My partner refuses to.

Look at my chin, compared with his.

Now, 18 months later, Mr Aubril having left this world

Mr Guitry senior took his place,

became Mr Aubril, bore this name until his death

and went on selling paste for sharpening razors.

In this store, Lucien Guitry grew up.

It's from this store that he left every morning

for Mr Ciboumelin's school, rue Renoir in Passy.

A completely mediocre student, he worries his mother.

The condition of his class notebooks is not very reassuring.

He doesn't even seem to often attend class.

So what's happening? What's he doing? Where's he going?

He spends his days in a reading room

which was then at 56, rue de Rome.

He reads plays and learns them by heart.

Zounds! These are not mortal wounds to see

that with vice, we keep measurements of.

And sometimes he takes me

with sudden movements

to flee into a desert

at the approach of humans.

Lucien Guitry, 139 Valois Gallery.

It's me.

Well now

Where does this taste for theatre come from

that draws him irresistibly into its study?

Are we going to witness a tragedy

when the manager of the reading room

comes and reports her young client?

No. It's with pride that Mr Guitry hears the news.

- No? - Yes.

He devours them one after the other, and goes through them all.

After Racine, it is Moliere. After Moliere, Beaumarchais.

This is a welcome surprise, Madam!

His passion came to him for the reason

that his father loved the theatre.

However, in the evening, around 7, when, at the Comedy-Francaise,

reservations indicated there would be empty seats

an employee went around the galleries of Montpelier and Valois

distributing tickets valid for the stalls, to shopkeepers.

Not everyone wanted them.

But Mr Guitry never let one go to waste.

- You, of course? - Certainly! Thanks!

- See you tomorrow. - Yes.

Lucien!

- Lucien. - What?

Britannicus and The Misanthrope, Do they suit you?

Oh, The Misanthrope!

Rodrigue, do you have a heart?

Anyone other than my father, would appreciate it immediately.

Nothing holds me back anymore.

And I can from this day on

accomplish the purpose that my love has formed.

Bajazet is very beautiful.

- Tell me about The School for Women. - I prefer Musset.

The family was so into theatre then..

That Mr Guitry, who hated the pop-songs of the day

instilled in his cook his taste for the classics.

Rome the sole object of my resentment.

Rome, whither comes your arms to sacrifice my lover.

Rome which saw you born and which my heart abhors.

Rome, finally that I hate because she honours you.

So much so, that at 13, Lucien Guitry had the audacity

to knock on the dressing room door of a member of the Theatre-Français

whose name was Montrose.

But who knocks, where I am master?

Appear!

What do you want?

I come to ask you if you would give me lessons.

- Lessons in what? - In acting.

You'd do better planting cabbages.

What do you know?

- All of it. - All of what?

Everything.

That's stupid You can't know everything.

You don't know The Married Philosopher.

Lisette has wit and uses it nicely.

- You don’t know Scapin? - Oh heavens, an unforeseen disgrace.

Mollius?

By what means, Lord, to cure your suspicions?

And Pompey?

I am master, I speak! Come on, obey.

Arnold?

I am master, I speak.

Not bad.

- How old are you? - 13.

What the hell do you want at 13 years old?

I nevertheless allow you to attend my Conservatory class.

Will he wait long for something? Oh no.

At 17, he debuts at the Etampes Theatre

where Mr Guitry praises his son every Sunday.

We will have seen a father encouraging his son

to embrace the career which he chose for himself.

The whole Guitry family is there, as well. Everyone has their post.

Mrs Guitry becomes ticket-seller.

Lucien's brother, Edmond, manages the foyer.

That's him in his booth.

There's no lack of encouragement to spectators to obtain the program

that their sister Valentine offers them with a smile.

And Mr Guitry Sr who fancies himself an impresario

takes care of everything.

Stagehand give me the two armchairs.

This one there,

and this one here.

As for Lucien Guitry, who begins in L'Ami Fritz,

he chose the role of Old Reb, since he's 17 years old.

Oh, magnificent!

- You're magnificent, my boy. - I agree.

3 years later, at 20, he won two awards in the Conservatory.

Not the first, no. The seconds.

Moliere's home opens its doors to him.

The offer is flattering and yet he rejects it.

He leaves for Russia where countless successes await him.

He stayed there for 9 years.

He changes plays every week.

It will be absolutely necessary that I learn Russian.

One evening, he is Louis XI.

I still hear a whisper, a complaint.

I'll get my hands on you.

And with my doubt cleared,

I'll turn you over to God's mercy.

One evening, he is Jean Gossen in Sappho.

Another evening he's Zurk in Le Courrier de Lyon.

After 30 years of integrity which has never been denied

Heir to a fortune nobly acquired

this infamous theft, this murder

couldn't add anything to my wealth.

Would I have wanted to kill my father?

Oh no, never.

He gets used to playing the most diverse roles.

He is learning his trade.

He likes to be Coupault one evening

the next day, to be Ruy Blas.

Bon appetit, gentlemen.

Oh ministers of integrity

virtuous advisors

this is your way of serving.

Servants who plunder the house, you have no shame

and you choose that dark hour when dying Spain cries out.

You have no other interests here than those that fill your pockets

and you run off afterwards.

After 9 years of successful exile, he'll see Paris again.

And he'll go now from triumph to triumph.

He'll play in all the theatres.

He will interpret the most famous authors:

Georges de Porto-Riche, Maurice Donnay

Alfred Capus, Henri Bataille, Henri Lavedan

He'll partner with the most famous actresses

Sarah Bernhardt, Rejane, Jeanne Granier, Marthe Brandes

He'll be Flambeau in L'Aiglon.

Being victorious is beautiful, but living has its price.

Always Vienna, always Berlin, never Paris.

Start all over again, always.

We start again twice, three times

It was madness, on horseback, without ever loosening your knees.

At the end, we were too tired.

- And us? - Eh?

We, the little ones, the obscure ones, the untitled?

We who walked exhausted, wounded, dirty, sick

without hope of a duchy or an endowment?

We who always walked but never move forward?

Marching and fighting, thin, naked, black and gay

Were we not maybe tired?

He'll be Bernstein's Samson.

He'll be Bourget's emigrant.

On some preferences an esteem is founded

but that's not valuing anything other than to value everyone.

You give in to these vices of the time.

My God! You are not to be one of my people.

I refuse with all my heart, the vast complacency

that creates neither merit nor difference.

I want to be distinguished

and identify clearly

the friend of mankind is not my doing at all.

Do you never believe you're in the wrong play, Sir?

You'll never stop me from quoting The Misanthrope.

Even more so when I play someone else's.

He will be Chanteclair.

I adore you, Soleil.

You put roses in the air

flames in the spring

a God in the bush.

You take a dark tree and you glorify it.

O Sun

You without whom things would not be as they are.

And to know if the Crainquebille of Anatole France is any good

he'll try his role in the street one morning.

Cabbage, carrots, turnips!

Cabbages, carrots, turnips!

Buy some cabbages, my good lady.

Wait

Oh no.

This one yes, if you want.

Sometimes, he will act in questionable plays.

In a new one he will be given the chance

to portray the actor who is faced with love.

I'm going to start my life again. I want to become an honest woman.

Tomorrow, I'll start work in a factory.

Get out!

Madeleine! You're mine.

The act is over?

- It just finished. - Thanks.

Please warn me as soon as it's reassembled.

- Yes, ma'am. - Wait

What are these roses?

I don't know, madam.

- There was no note? - No Madam.

Well, well?

Are you happy that the play ends tonight, ma'am?

Yes, it's been going 3 months. That's enough.

On the evening of the dress rehearsal, we didn't think it would reach 100.

Dress rehearsals are so chaotic, we never know what's happening.

Looking for something, Ma'am?

Where is he? I wonder what he's doing.

Oh, I don't like that.

I don't like it at all.

Madam, here he is, coming back.

Leave us alone.

It would be better let Monsieur undress first.

He's always hot and madam will argue afterwards.

Do what I ask you. I'll just be a minute.

Where were you?

Where was I?

With poor Leclerc, in the boss's office.

Why poor Leclerc?

He's sorry, of course.

Oh yes, why?

Why? That's the question.

Because his play ends tonight.

It's always the same thing.

Let's face it, it's not fun being the last one in a play.

It's something we kept alive for months

That's given back to you as well.

Then it suddenly dies.

That's why you don't wipe off your makeup?

Maybe yes.

I prolong my character's life a little bit.

The melancholy of a last performance

added the sadness of thinking that tomorrow

we won't have the chance to try to be better.

- You're not thirsty, are you? - No.

You don't have this feeling of melancholy

thinking that we've expressed for the last time

feelings that we had tried hard to make it plausible?

Feelings that we don't share

and that we tried to share

.every evening at a fixed time, for days and days.

No, I can see you don't.

But I'm not upset that it's over.

Really? Is it because of the play?

Oh no. It's not whether it's good, far from it.

We've played in worse.

So why are you happy that it was the last one?

For the same reason that tonight you're sad.

Sad? I don't understand.

Does it bother you that it's over that play eh?

It does something to me that tomorrow I won't be on stage, to tell the truth.

There, let's tell the truth!

- It bothers you not to play tomorrow. - Yes.

It bothers you to think that tomorrow,

You won't be able to do the same gestures.

It bothers you to think you won't be able to take Miss Simonet in your arms.

- Simonet? - Yes.

What does that mean?

If you think I'm blind, you're wrong.

I'm not fooled by your shenanigans.

Yes, yes, oh, act innocent.

I didn't see what you did to her tonight on her neck

when you strangle her, in the second act.

- What did I do to her? - Well it wasn't with me.

I swear to you that for a month, it's amused me to see you do your tricks.

Her job, by the way. Poor girl.

As to her, my God, I don't blame her.

But you, really

Given the status you have, you surely could behave more decently.

Finally, fortunately it's over because You know me.

- I only know you. - No!

Actually, you don't know me very well at all.

Because I swear

.two more evenings, and things would've got worse.

You don't think they're spoiled anyway?

- You're still not thirsty, are you? - No.

- You'll still say what you think. - Yes.

Is this why you were waiting for me here?

Yes!

I wanted to show you the difficulty you'd have

to make me look ridiculous, if one day you felt like it.

Word to the wise. Goodbye.

Exactly. Amen.

Who sent you those roses?

- God! - Thanks.

Don't mention it.

Elise!

- Sir, the concierge - How is she?

Well thank you.

She has just brought up this note.

The person is waiting downstairs for an answer.

Leave it there, please.

I like you, Elise.

I've ended up taking on all your qualities.

- You're not getting changed, Sir? - No.

- I'm looking for something. - What is sir looking for?

Turn towards the wall, Elise. Please.

Turn back to me.

Which eye is the best? Look in the mirror.

This one, Sir. The right one.

I've been looking for this for 20 years.

It's now past midnight.

It's about time to go to bed.

You say that as if we were sleeping together.

Elise!

Sir?

How long have you been with me?

15 years.

- You’ve seen a lot. - My oh my!

But she was here she passes on. You stay.

Moliere's servant must have been someone just like you.

Yeah.

You're astonishing, physically.

You're like a caricature of yourself, because you're better.

You still don't know who sent me these roses?

I'd say, Sir, that it must be a woman.

Let’s hope so, Elise.

- Who's there? - It’s Leclerc.

Ah! Come in.

There goes half an hour.

- I'm not bothering you? - Not at all, sit down.

What's the matter?

- Listen - I'm listening.

- Answer me honestly. - I promise.

If we'd had a little patience, would revenues have gone up?

No. What makes you believe that?

- At Varietes, they have a flop. - But they're still full.

Because the public doesn't know that it's a flop.

When it finds out, their revenues will drop

and we'll go back up. - No, listen to me

The revenue never comes back.

But don't think about that stuff anymore.

Go home and start writing your next play.

You will feel better right away.

My next piece is finished and received by the Gymnasium.

Not that one.

It's not the next one, since it's finished.

The next one is the one that's not yet started.

For that one, I have a starting point that's not bad.

I wanted to talk to you about it first.

If the idea suited you, I'd develop it around you as the main character.

It could be a magnificent role.

In my mind I saw a small provincial doctor

but I will present a great surgeon from Paris.

We'll see.

Does that mean you'd accept in principle?

In principle, I never refuse to play comedy.

But in fact, I'm going to get quite difficult.

Really?

From what point of view?

- Length of the role? - No.

Age?

No, you're on the wrong track.

The feeling I have is very specific.

- What is it? - Difficult to express.

I'd like to know it if I was to work for you.

If you knew it, you wouldn't work for me.

You intrigue me. Who would I work for?

For the public.

To please it more?

No, definitely not, my God. Oh no, no, no.

You can be sure that the public doesn't like flatterers.

- So I don't understand. - Yes, I'm sure.

Ah, my friend

How I suffered while acting in your play.

- You suffered?! - Oh yes.

I suffered for you. And for me, the time we were wasting.

You have presented a subject

of which you have subsequently become the slave.

In short, you told a story.

And the situation that you tied up at the beginning

you untied at the end as best as it could be

And rather badly than well.

Now, the curtain fell, what was left of it? Nothing.

It's the same for most plays.

Yes, and it’s a crying shame.

You've talked every night to 1,000 people.

- I interested them. - Yes, you interested them.

But you didn't give them back any service. You smoke?

You're right. You've achieved your goal.

But if I may say so, your goal was not very high.

How do you want to be of service to the public?

- How? - By depicting misery?

- No, not at all. - So?

By making him love beautiful things that he hates because he ignores them.

It's not enough to show him what is ugly.

You have to show him what's beautiful so that he gets a taste for it.

Happiness, work, love, fame, health

Everything that makes life beautiful and which is accessible to him.

You shouldn't make him cry, unless truly essential.

Do you know what the audience is?

It's your country.

Have you ever thought about it?

Obviously, it’s already nice to be able to say to yourself

I entertain my country. I distract it, I move it, I make it laugh.

But wouldn't it be nice to say one day I did it some good?

- Oh yes. - Well, try it.

Sir, have you thought about the man who's waiting for an answer?

No.

I admit, I haven't thought about him at all.

Excuse me

Oh, how funny, my God!

Yes, I think I'd better see him right away.

Come in. What is it?

Your director here to shake hands one last time

and tell you once again how happy he was.

Thank you so much. Sit down.

What are you going to do?

I don't know. maybe I'll go down South to rest.

Then afterwards I'll go and give about 30 performances in Brussels.

- And then? - I don't know.

If your heart tells you, and if Capus's play doesn't hold up

you always have a home here.

That's nice of you. He's nice.

Do you know just now who your accountant introduced me to?

- To his friend, Mr Deblair. - Exactly.

- Deblair? - The man who cuts off heads

and who, in private, is the sweetest guy in the world.

So he told me about himself. He told me about you.

About me?

What did he tell you about me?

He told me Bloch looks like me.

Yes?

- Can I say goodbye to you? - Ah yes, I hope so.

- Good evening, Elise. - Miss.

When they take off their gloves, they seem to be undressing.

Ready 1, 2, 3

Goodbye.

Goodbye, most exquisite of resident C.F. players.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, most adorable performer.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye, little comrade.

- That but - What?

- Is it from those - Yes.

Oh why?

Nothing. My pleasure To put flowers in your dressing room.

And I didn't put my name so that, having guessed it

we had a little secret.

- It doesn't make you angry? - Not at all.

God knows how susceptible I am.

Can we make it appear in the newspapers

that you'll take on my play next year?

These announcements don't fool anyone.

The public knows they're paid for by the theatres.

You don't give lessons?

No, but I'd happily take it on.

Tell me something.

Something?

For my job, so that I act better.

You have to enjoy being on stage.

I'm your to command.

Likewise.

You should think about her for your next play.

I can see something amazing for Simonet.

The good play. All the roles will be good and she'll play one.

In what?

Leclerc's next play.

Do you know Leclerc?

For here?

Yes, for here.

Or elsewhere. First let him write the play.

And you'll star in it?

Maybe.

You too. We can't have one without the other.

Thank you.

- Goodbye, boss. - Goodbye, sweetheart.

- Goodbye Madam. - Goodbye young lady.

Goodbye, dear and great artist.

Goodbye, my dear friend.

- Good night, Elise. - Good night sir.

I'll come down with you.

Yes, but I forbid you to tell me about your play.

Needless to say, it can’t even be discussed.

- What can't? - Acting with this girl again.

No, never.

So do you want to choose? Her or me?

Oh, but be careful.

Be careful of what?

Of me.

Because I don't like at all what you're doing right now.

Not in the least!

I never put up with blackmail I'm not starting now.

I take this opportunity to let you know

that I decided to avoid such trouble ever again.

Oh no! No, I'm serious. When I review my existence

When I add things up The troubles I've had with you

significantly outweigh the sum of joys.

I can't say the same about my profession.

I now intend to dedicate most of my time to it

and most of my strength, yes.

I would have got you to understand, instead of telling you

if you hadn't behaved this evening in such an insolent and absurd way.

If you believe that your rudeness surprises me

..that your calm impresses me

you are seriously mistaken.

As for the future of your career

About the decision you made

to dedicate most of your time to it from now on

I have no objections.

If you've suffered enough with me, I've laughed enough with you.

Your grand airs, you know your smiles, your slow gestures

your silences, your pausing

I'm scared!

Don't be afraid, I'm here.

Who is it?

That gentleman is here.

Come on, this isn't the next scene.

Hello!

30 years. Yes, 30 years.

- Can I kiss you? - I was going to ask you.

- You recognize me? - Let's see. Don't you recognize me?

Oh, but you're different. You haven't changed.

- Oh yes! - No, listen, frankly

No, it’s amazing.

You still have the same expression a little mocking.

The expression? Well, of course.

- You have exactly the same hairstyle. - No.

- Oh yes. - No.

Believe me, no, because

Look, you can see that it's not the same.

And now

do you recognize me?

Yes and no. I don't know anymore.

It's very disturbing.

You looked more like the young man I knew.

But you looked so much like him that it was incredible.

Now maybe you look less like him, but

I recognize you better.

You've seen enough of me like this, yes? Because I've seen enough of myself.

- What? - What emotion.

Oh yes?

You can have no idea of the feeling I have.

I have the same one, you know.

Oh no, definitely not.

I find a man at the top of his game, in full glory

A friend from 30 years ago while you

You don't know what you find.

No, but I see myself again in your eyes at 20.

You did well, you made it to the top.

What a career!

You left suddenly, yet you kept going up.

You've only had successes.

But in truth, not all successes really count.

I've only caught you about ten times. I live so far from Paris.

But for at least 15 years I've regarded you as number 1.

Number 1? No, not number 1.

There are 5 or 6 of us, the best from time to time.

When one is the best, he's number 1

and tops the billboard.

- I find you modest. - Don't believe that.

It wouldn't be a good quality for an actor.

Oh no. Being shy? No no.

You have to be bold to play comedy.

It must be more difficult than people realize.

Let's talk about you. What are you?

- Oh, not much. - But still?

I'm a manufacturer of Marseilles soap.

Is that so! So you live in Marseilles?

No, I live in Bordeaux.

Why?

My factory's in Bordeaux.

But I have family that live in Marseilles.

And they make Bordeaux wine?

No, they have the biggest business in Pont-l'Eveque and Coulommiers.

How interesting.

- I assume it does well. - Yes.

And now I'll tell you why I came to bother you.

Sorry, one second. Come in!

- Ah, excuse me. - You're welcome.

I wanted to shake your hand one last time

and tell you how happy I was to play next to you.

You're too kind.

You had nothing to complain about me?

Not at all.

You had me paralysed during rehearsals, but I recovered.

If it's not too pretentious of me to say

I think I played my role quite well, didn't I?

Better than quite well.

So

How do I explain? Sometimes it happens

that for 2 months, 3 months, 6 months

I'm without work.

It's just that

Please tell me.

- You won't believe - Tell me!

Why don’t I get more roles?

You have an odd way of playing comedy.

An odd way?

A way you think is funny

but which is not a funny way to play.

But in what way do I play the comedy?

- Wrongly. - Wrongly?

How curious What do I do?

You do too much You listen to yourself

You never listen to the one speaking to you.

You enter the stage too quickly. You exit the stage too slowly.

You try to make an impact that's not in your role.

You make faces to attract public attention.

I don't make faces, I make them laugh.

No, you make some people laugh.

And if at intermission, we brought them to your dressing room

I think you'd be ashamed.

You have a look on stage which seems to say

Where are the 12 idiots who love me?

And furthermore, you got into a bad habit

of making noises when others are speaking.

Noises?

Yes, you say kss, rah, grr. It's infuriating!

You're hard.

Yes, and I was wrong.

I already regret it.

Give me one piece of advice.

Just one?

Well go outside.

Out of the dressing room.

So You're behind the stage. Open the door, come in and come to me.

Open the door, come on! That's it, you see

You forgot to close your door. You only think about yourself.

Oh no, another piece of advice, please.

Another one? Useless.

Would you have a piece of notepaper on you?

Doesn't anyone have a piece of paper? Yes, he has a piece of paper.

So. So listen, we're on stage

and I give you a written note, alright?

- So you have to read it, eh? - Yes.

How do you go about it? I'll hand it to you.

Yes like this.

There you go, with crazy speed.

No, I don't think so.

Here, this is what I would do. Give me the note.

To make people believe that there is something, I would do this.

The audience would think there's something written on it.

- Oh yes - You want it back?

No.

In any case, I don't know if I act badly

But I can assure you of one thing

because I’m convinced.

You'll prove me wrong.

Goodbye. Sir.

So if I understand correctly

it's very difficult to play comedy.

No it's impossible.

You were interrupted when you were going tell me the purpose of your visit.

Ah yes, indeed! Well, here it is.

Do you remember my brother?

Henri wasn't it?

No, no, Andre.

Of course. Andre, yes. What happened to him?

- He's dead. - No!

Oh yes.

Of course, you wouldn't have made it up.

So Andre's dead? My God. When?

15 years ago.

Oh good I thought it was recent.

- What difference is that? - None, it's true.

Come with me while I take off my makeup.

Well, at his death, Andre left a little girl

who he'd had with a woman.

I didn't hear, sorry.

With a woman.

With a woman, yes. That's how it is.

I took her in and raised her as best I could.

- As if she were my daughter. - Yes.

You can criticize me, but I think it was my duty to do so.

Nothing to apologize for.

She has become most charming.

She's now a grown, sweet, intelligent girl.

She can be determined, thoughtful and excitable.

- Quite the woman, eh? - You said the word.

However, she's a girl?

Yes.

- Ah. - What?

Nothing.

It's about her that you can be of service to me.

Tell me.

We arrived in Paris my wife, she and I

4 weeks ago.

Wait a minute

I'm still listening.

In one month

she came to see you play, 11 times.

Amazing!

You can say that. With my wife and me first.

She came back alone on a Thursday matinee

Then she wanted to take her friends one after the other.

Yesterday, she applauded you at the matinee and in the evening.

And since it was the last one

if I'd refused to accompany her tonight, their would've been tears.

So

..she finds herself gripped by an irresistible theatrical calling

that is - Not at all!

That's what I thought, but no

Well then, she loves you, my friend.

- You're kidding? - Alas, no.

She loves you the way one loves at that age.

- But she told you? - No.

But when leaving the theatre,

I told her again that I didn't want to take her to your dressing room.

This is not the place for a young girl.

She scared me a little.

So as to avoid a scandal or misfortune

I told him we'd wait for you at the artists' exit..

And that you would shake her hand.

- Is she downstairs? - Yes.

- I'll hurry! - It doesn't bother you?

Not at all.

Come in. What is it?

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Because I've come to say goodbye to you like the others.

- Like everyone. - That's sweet.

You've nothing special to say to me?

No.

Do you want me to

Don't be silly, on the contrary, sit down.

Do you realize what you're doing?

But of course.

So it's definite?

But of course.

In an hour it will be too late.

Oh, but it's already too late.

Farewell.

Oh, sorry, my hands are all soapy.

Farewell.

Farewell.

Do you want a shower, too?

I wasn't indiscreet, by staying?

Oh, not in the least. We We were rehearsing.

- Ah! - That's right.

Okay, okay I said to myself too.

Besides, isn't she your close friend?

Not at all.

Why do you always play together?

She's an actress with a lot of talent.

Oh yes. But why are you wearing this hat?

To remove my makeup, so as not to wet my hair.

- Oh listen, I have an idea. - No?

- I'd like you to receive her. - Who?

My niece! But that you receive her just like that, right away.

With your hat, your bathrobe Just as you are!

- What a weird idea. - I think it's excellent.

Why?

In the dark street, for just a moment

she won't have time to realize

the difference there is between you on stage and out in the open.

She only saw you on stage.

Naturally, if she sees you like you are just now

- If she sees you as you are - Yes?

- I am convinced that - Why? Am I repulsive?

Oh no!

You realize what you said?

Oh no, I expressed myself badly.

Oh no, no you made me understand very well.

To turn her off me, I just had to take off my makeup.

No, I'd be sorry for hurting you.

Hurting me?

You don't know me.

Go get her. Now I can't wait to see her turn pale with horror.

Go.

- Elise. - Sir?

Do I have a clean bathrobe?

- No sir. It's dirty. - I know. Do I have a clean one?

At this hour? Oh no, Sir.

So Elise, my shirt

my suspenders, my jacket.

Sweetheart, you're lucky. He wants to welcome you.

- What are we doing? - Elise?

Putting your costume back on.

- Always on last days. - That's not true.

When I played Chanteclair

I wasn't going to go out in a chicken outfit.

Not approaching

Do what you will with that. Open.

Welcome, young lady

It is an enchantment to see you in the flesh.

Your uncle told me how you were determined

to attend the last performance.

You did the right thing.

Your instinct guided you perfectly.

When one doesn't attend the dress-rehearsal of a play

and one sees it later and loves it

it's best to see it on it's last day.

Usually, the last ones are excellent performances.

Will you allow me? You'll be cold when you go out.

On the last evening, in fact, the actors are moved

whether they like it or not

.just like on the opening night.

A long career doesn't change us in this regard.

So tonight I find myself in a very special situation.

I was very happy to be able to share with one of my old friends

and with you, Mademoiselle

if you will allow me.

Are you in Paris for some time yet?

Only 4 days.

During these 4 days, of visits, lunches in town..

We won't have a minute to spare.

I don't even know if I can see you again.

You certainly won't be able to

because I'm leaving Paris tomorrow.

- Oh yes? - Yes. Yes, I'm leaving.

I'm leaving for the Riviera, all alone.

You know the Riviera, Mademoiselle, between Saint-Raphael and Monaco?

No!

No, she knows Hendaye.

Ah yes, pretty. Oh yes!

But the other Riviera, the real one, in my opinion

the one that flowers in winter

is charming much more delicious.

Mmh, a bit fake.

Yes exactly it’s theatrical scenery.

And it all depends on the play that's performed there.

A romantic play, in this setting, must be very beautiful, unforgettable.

As for me, I'm really delighted to go back.

My train is at 8.55 in other words at 5 minutes to 9.

I will dine at Larue's

all alone, at exactly 7 a.m. Do you know where Larue is?

I think so. It's right across the street from the Madeleine

at the corner of Rue Royale.

Yes. I'll go to a small lounge.

Entrance to the lounges is immediately on the left.

There is a glass door and a staircase which leads precisely

to these small salons.

Miss, isn't their something intoxicating about the word leave?

Yes and no.

It's always given me a little shiver down my spine.

For me it's escape.

We wouldn't tolerate the smell of a station

if there was not this scent of freedom that lurks and intoxicates.

It's nice to leave in snowy weather

to fall asleep with frost on the sleeping-car windows

and be woken up by the rays of a burning sun.

Fun to think about a summer shirt on my back

and a straw hat sitting on my trunk.

To think that in Dijon, we lean out to ask for two grogs

And through the same window, later

we buy tangerines.

Why do you say two grogs since you will be alone?

Mmh mmh. We were two.

- When? - Tomorrow.

There were two of you tomorrow?

In thought, yes we were two.

Well, but

It's high time we left.

Come on, darling.

- Well, are you happy with me? - Delighted.

I did everything I could.

I feel that you don't regret it.

Not yet.

Oh, you're looking at that photograph. You're right.

It's of a very great artist, Frederic Lemaitre.

I recommend the dedication.

Alas, the actor leaves nothing behind.

This is why you have to take advantage of life while you can.

Sure that no one came to ask for me?

Oh, absolutely sure, Mr Guitry.

What time is it, please?

8.35

To go to Lyon station, how much time?

15 minutes.

Give me the bill, please.

Oh no!

Oh yes. Can I get on?

Oh yes.

But Sir

Send my card to the gentleman.

I don't know if he's returned from his trip.

Yes, my friend, he returned. This morning.

- I don't know. - But I know.

- You know more than me, Sir? - Maybe.

As long as he hasn't told me that he's home

I'll be expected to ignore it.

- You've done it? - Yes.

- She knows I'm here? - No.

- How is she? - Lovely.

- I'm not joking. - Me neither.

- Answer me, how is she? - I think she's very happy.

Listen

Let's sit down.

That's it, you give the orders.

See how calm I am and reasonable.

- Yes, and I congratulate you. - You need to talk to me.

Why did you do that?

But my friend, I didn't do anything.

But in our adventure, there is no culprit.

Neither her, nor me, nor even you

despite the recklessness that you displayed.

- Me, reckless? - You introduced us.

How was that reckless?

By challenging me to please her.

- But I didn't challenge you! - You did.

You just didn't realize.

You challenged me to play a role of love in the city.

Occasional playwright, you brought me a script

in which you pretended to make me play a detestable and mute role.

Choosing an audience whose ear was already acquired by me

you rapped 3 times at my door.

And I saw you appear

with a young audience, adorable, exquisite.

So what do you want?

I wanted to get out of it. I defended myself.

Defended?

At the theatre, when we improvize, we call it defending ourselves.

So yes, I defended myself. I improvized.

I started to go on an endless tirade

since all dialogue was forbidden to me.

I got away with it as best I could.

It would have bothered me to have a flop in this situation.

Do you think it's a success?

Ah, for me, it’s a triumph.

And for her?

- Ask her if she's happy. - No, I'm not going to see her.

She's not so much changed, as transformed.

Answer my question.

Put it to me first.

- What are you going to do? - Whatever you want.

Do you intend to marry her?

I'm not accustomed to marrying my mistresses.

But the situation in which I find myself is very peculiar.

If you believe, if you're convinced

that this solution will be favourable to her.

Finally, if you're convinced that there is nothing else to do

I'd happily marry her, if she agrees.

- Isn't it your duty? - It's not about my duty.

It's about her.

Let's just take care of her future and her interest.

Yes.

Well, you know that by winning her

Andre had an immense fortune.

I made her a magnificent dowry.

No no no! It's not like that that I'm talking about her interest.

I'm 30 years older than her, I'm an actor and she's not an actress.

Is it a beautiful marriage for a young girl?

She's no longer a child.

She'll be even less one, once she's married.

I don't approve of your reasoning.

But it matches the mindset that I'll submit to you.

She loves me. It's crazy, but it's a fact.

She loves me. Do you believe it can last long?

- What? - Her love for me.

And you, what do you think?

It's a question of time a wonderful moment to be spent.

But why aren't you telling me of your love for her?

My friend, we love at all ages

but I don't think we can love each other unless we are the same age.

In such a unique couple as ours

I'm convinced we could take turns at loving each other.

Presumably, I'll start to adore her when she stops loving me.

So right now, you don't love her?

Well no, because her love for me occupies all my thoughts.

But then you did something crazy!

- Yes, I'm dying to tell you. - Are you suffering from it?

Oh no

since she is happy and I am happy.

You don't love her and you're happy?

Yes, since she loves me. Put yourself in my shoes.

Oh no, thank you!

- I don't envy you. - Liar.

You'd let pass such an opportunity?

- Yes. - Well, I don't envy you.

I feel for the first time that there is something between us

Yes, an insurmountable barrier.

Very well.

You need to talk to her today.

Alright.

Since by mutual agreement, you felt you had to do this madness

it is necessary by mutual agreement, that you should make a decision.

I will agree to the one you have chosen.

Fine.

But, for our young lady's sake

I beg you not make me wait too long.

I give you my word of honour that it will be fixed in three days.

And they left each other without shaking hands.

I'm taking advantage that Sir is alone

To not leave me alone.

To tell you that miss Simonet phoned 3 or 4 times again this morning.

And I warn you Sir, that she intends to start again before 5 in the morning.

There was no other phone calls?

In my absence, no visits?

My sister-in-law came to see me, but that

Yes, alright.

I heard the door close. Can I come in?

Oh yes. You can always come in.

- Was it nothing serious? - Serious? No.

What is this? It's for me.

- It's a letter? - Yes.

I am happy.

Thank you, postman.

The postmen are well-dressed these days.

Sir, can I say something?

- Something private? - Oh no sir, on the contrary.

I heard Emile say that during your absence, his sister-in-law had come.

Well, it wasn't his sister-in-law.

It was a regular streetwalker.

So then, according to you, this man should be fired?

I think it would be better.

Well, do it yourself.

Oh, thank you, Sir!

Elise is a sublime being. She only has one flaw.

She hates servants.

So she has a dream

Kick them out so she can do everything here.

And you put up with that?

When Elise does everything, everything is done admirably.

Tell me who came to see you just now.

My uncle, right?

- Yes. - Very angry?

- No. - Is he in pain?

Yes.

What did he tell you?

He asked me what I was going to do with you.

What was your answer?

That I would do whatever would make you happy.

- He doesn't understand? - No.

Of course, poor man.

He has such ideas about life, happiness and love.

If you heard him speak about marital happiness

Look at me.

I'm sure he's back.

Mmm, no.

It's Bloch's voice.

- Sir - Can Sir receive Mr Bloch?

- Yes, let him come in. - Go find your sister-in-law.

- Should I go back upstairs? - No, on the contrary.

Good morning.

My director, Albert Bloch Meet the one I love.

So I see.

It's not the great actor that I come to disturb

It's the friend.

It's the rescuer I implore.

I was waiting for your return with increasing impatience.

I just had the biggest flop that we ever recorded.

We didn't make 400 francs.

You have to save my life.

The first acts of the play from Leclerc are excellent.

Yes, but that’s for later.

Now, I put on my theatre at your disposal.

You can put on whatever you want, in it

The Misanthrope or The Wicker Mannequin,

I beg you to resume the play you were doing, for a month.

I have the interpretation on hand.

The sets are in the theatre. We can open on Wednesday.

- What's stopping you? - The cast.

- But let's see, you, Antoinette - Oh no exactly.

- Not Antoinette? - No no no.

- No no. - Damn damn damn.

- Yeah. - Yeah

- It was saving me. - I'm sorry.

The role only has 3 scenes.

The role is short, all the same it must be learned.

I know it.

What did you say?

I said I know it.

- What? - The role.

Oh no.

You mean you know the role?

How does that happen?

I've seen the play so many times.

And I learned it at La Petite Illustration.

Oh, that. But That would be wonderful.

- What do you think? - Well, obviously.

That would be a dream.

Well, it’s still risky.

Let's not do something crazy.

She's the right type.

- SHE is the age of the role. - She IS the character.

She's what can save it.

Well

Leave us.

- You're calling me, right? - Yes, I swear.

Let's take the plunge. Stand up!

- First act? - First act, yes.

How you impress me.

- Oh yes? Even more now? - Yes.

It's good, keep going YOU?

Upset by the words you told me

and then after a sleepless night, I come towards you

confident and calm

You should breathe from time to time.

Come on, let's start again. YOU?

Upset by the words you told me and then

Would you like to act?

Obviously, it would be the most beautiful solution.

The only one.

Let's go. YOU?

- Yes, me. - While walking.

Upset by the words you told me

and after a sleepless night, I come towards you confident and calm.

I know in whose hands I placed my honour.

I love you, keep going.

- I lived, I suffered. - I adore you all the same.

- Start again. YOU? - Yes, me.

- Wait, talk on the phone. Hold. - YOU?

Upset by the words you told me

and after a sleepless night, I come towards you confident and calm.

- What's the matter? - A lady is talking to me.

A lady?

Madam, listen to this lady who comes towards you confident and calm.

Say it to her.

- I've lived, Madam, I've suffered. - Oh yes!

Well?

- What do you want? - It's OK?

He does everything.

He makes her sit down

He speaks his lines

He guides her.

And when he feels she's hesitating

He says Dear little one!

It's still not the right thing to do.

That’s love.

I know, but still.

Ah okay.

In my 30 years, I've known people who've tried to work together like that.

In truth, it's not practical.

You both have to have it in your blood.

Without that, one dragging the other.

- Obviously, that would be the dream. - Oh yes.

But hold on, why am speaking to you. I tried.

- Shall we leave them to it? - Yes.

There was a pharmacist's wife who I had eloped with.

I got her hired with me, in Lyon.

I gave her half of my fee

to make her believe she was being paid.

After 3 weeks, she wanted to be above me on the poster.

And after 6 months, she was at it with the boss.

- She dumped me. - Probably for the best.

I'm going to start my life again. I want to become an honest woman.

Tomorrow, I'll start work in a factory.

Get out!

Madeleine!

You're mine.

Oh, the curtain! The curtain!

The curtain!

You missed your curtain.

She was absolutely charming.

- Delightful, wasn't it? - Ah yes, very.

- Please accept my compliments. - Thank you.

- Did you have stage fright? - Not at all.

Oh, that’s magnificent. Goodbye, see you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow. I can't wait for it.

Did you watch the show?

Yes.

What was your impression?

I wonder if it's safe to let her play tomorrow.

I'll come and see you in the morning, around 11.

Antoinette alone could save the situation.

Will she agree to do it?

She'll demand it.

- She must have watched. - Yes, she's in my office.

I shall feel her out, skilfully.

- Without him, it was a mess. - Him? He was amazing.

His replies were like lifelines.

She lost her perspective.

No, but in truth what I feared, happened.

I recited my role she was like me.

On stage, she saw how I was playing and wanted to be like me.

Was that passage always there between the boxes?

No, Bloch was kind enough to put an opening on the partition.

I'm going to congratulate Simonet. She was very good this evening.

Naturally hugely better.

Goodbye, my dear friend.

- Can I come in? - Of course.

Is my master happy with me?

- Delighted with you. - And he's proud of me?

He's proud of you.

Then I am completely happy.

It's funny how I wasn't afraid.

- Very funny. - Why is that?

Unconsciousness.

I was unconscious?

You weren't conscious of the danger you were running.

Not a great danger.

What? Was I very wrong?

5 or 6 times, yes.

That's not huge.

In any case, it's amusing to play.

Amusing?

But I wouldn't play serious roles like I did in this one.

A role that I'd like

The role of the woman in Leclerc's new play.

I read it last night. I'd play that role very well.

Oh, I don't think so.

Oh surely, yes. You'll see.

You'll just have to tell me when I get up

when I leave, as you say, and in two days I will know.

Don't get carried away with this idea.

Why?

As I just said, I don't think that you can play it.

You'll see.

No, I won't see because it's impossible for you to play it.

Impossible? Why?

Because I'm telling you. And I know what I'm talking about.

We did something crazy this evening.

Crazy?

I did something which had never been done.

Yes, these are the things that you should not do.

Well, let's not talk about all that.

Let's take off our makeup and go home.

I would like you to explain why what we did tonight was crazy.

As actors, we don't improvize.

You follow that, yes.

But you clearly don't.

Oh, you're hardly being polite.

I'd like you to appreciate that it's a difficult job that has to be learned.

So teach me.

But I don't ask for anything better.

But give up the idea of playing the role in Leclerc's play.

Listen, in the second act there's a little secretary.

- A little secretary? - Yes.

The one who brings your mail?

- Yes. - Oh!

What?

Will you tell me afterwards just what I did this evening?

My darling, what do you think that you did this evening?

Just what the director told me that I did.

What did he tell you?

That I was saving the situation.

Did he tell you at the end?

No. He told me that I'd been charming.

He couldn't very well say You were execrable.

Oh!

What is it?

Excuse me Mr Maillard is here.

Mr Maillard.

Ask him to wait in the old artists' lounge.

Let's ask him how I played.

No, my darling, you won't see him again until I have spoken with him.

You know very well that he's waiting for my response.

I was able to delay it for 48 hours.

But he leaves again tomorrow. It will be fixed this evening.

So be it.

Do you think I was execrable?

No, my love! Of course not.

You weren't execrable, you were adorable.

Adorable youth and inexperience.

If we'd been alone, I would've kissed you.

But there was an audience.

So what?

Well, they don't come to the theatre to attend the fun of an actor in love.

They don't want to be involved in such things.

They come to see to a play played by actors.

For 30 years I've battled with amateurs

Who take to the theatre as a stopgap

Who come among us because they couldn't do something else.

I fight against those who pay to do our wonderful job.

Finally, I'm too harsh with other people

not to be ruthless with myself.

What I did tonight I regret.

I won't do it again.

What? I won't play tomorrow?

- No my love. - You'd humiliate me like that?

I have to cause you this little grief.

Oh, be careful. I'll give you a choice.

Choice?

I'll play tomorrow or I'll leave this evening.

Well go and think it over in your dressing room.

Elise

Bring that gentleman in, please.

Well, what's your impression?

Tell me yours first.

It seemed to me that she had presence and that she was pretty.

But her voice is weak.

As for the acting

I can't account for it.

- Did she act well? - No.

Laughable is what it seemed to me.

Did you tell her?

Ouch, that must have been tough.

Why?

Because tonight I received an insane note from her.

- What did she tell you? - To come see her play

To realize that her misconduct was driven to her

by an irresistible vocation.

That you would find her to be a wonderful talent.

Oh, well now, I understand.

I understand her bad mood and her deal.

What deal?

She wants to have the main role in the next play.

When I tell her that it's impossible

she gives me a choice play or leave.

- Leaving is not feasible. - Playing is not possible.

But it's the only solution.

I'm telling you that it's not possible.

She's not an actress yet.

You can't make her understand, gently?

I object to her playing tomorrow.

Why?

My friend

she ruins the play.

Why did you let her?

After you left my room, something wonderful and terrible happened.

I told you she loved me enough for both of us.

I thought I could tell you that confidence.

Two hours later, I thought quite differently.

Why?

The madness we'd committed

could become the most wonderful adventure.

When she said I know the role, I saw in her eyes

a thousand people giving us both a standing ovation.

I, who didn't believe I loved her, began to adore her.

It's always the same thing.

It's this permanent desire that we have to be a couple

To go from theatre to theatre and travel the world

Holding hands, ready to greet an audience

that shows us unimaginable enthusiasm.

So many ideas for the future, during these two days.

Alas

Relentless reality broke all that.

But if she gave you a choice

If you felt her absolutely determined, what would you do?

I've no right to let her play.

- The right, the right - No no no no.

Towards the audience, I have no right.

But your own happiness?

My profession comes first.

- So you'd let her go? - I can't stop her.

But then

I thought you've been loving her for two days?

If you knew how much I love her for ten minutes.

- Strange way of loving. - It's ours.

- It's not very nice way. - I don't expect you to understand.

We cannot understand each other when you are in the audience

and we others are on stage.

No need to know that I'm sacrificing my happiness to your pleasure.

It’s incredible!

It's worse than that, but it's like that.

You speak to me in a singular tone made of love and contempt.

That's about right.

It's me who feeds you when I pay for my seat.

But I do what is necessary in my acting

so that you are reimbursed by the first act

so that by the end of the play, you are under obligation to me.

Alright.

I'll go down and stay in the car, in front of the door.

Either you'll go out together

and I won't see her again until she's married

or she comes back with me.

And I won't talk to her about anything.

Tell her that.

Farewell.

Elise!

See Mr Maillard out please.

I heard everything.

I'm sure you did.

Have you thought about it?

Yes. For the last time, I give you the choice.

You'll play in 6 months.

No, I'll play tomorrow.

Honey, will you listen to me?

No, I want you to answer me.

- Listen to me. - No.

You don't realize.

You haven't guessed the pride in me?

Is it pride or vanity?

Would you just answer me, please?

You make me suffer, my darling.

Will I play tomorrow?

No.

No?

- No. - Goodbye.

Are you alone, Sir?

Yes, I'm alone, Elise.

I'm alone, but tomorrow night, I have a love date with 1,000 people

with a thousand people.

Then Pasteur came.

A day that Lucien Guitry considered the happiest of his life.

There was the reading, one day,

in this sinister and meditative atmosphere

where the work of the actor was developed.

Pasteur, a play in 5 acts.

Characters

Louis Pasteur, his students

a doctor, the president from the academy of medicine

an old scholar, two doctors,

Joseph Mester, his grandfather

a valet and the president of France.

Act 1.

The decor represents Louis Pasteur's office.

Three of his students are on stage.

You, you and you.

The latest news is not good

Vaudeville Theatre, January 3, 1919, at 2.15.

Pasteur rehearsal.

We'll start with Act 4.

Thank you, my good friend. Thanks for having so much affection for me.

For me who is not worthy

Let's start again, please, stagehands.

For me who is not worthy. I have to confess to you

You will have a complaint to file against me.

Because since I have been here

Thanks.

Because since I've been here, I practice medicine

in a most illegal way.

The people of this country don't know me very well.

They think I'm a doctor.

Do you like Perrier standing?

No, not at all.

Do you see him sitting?

Yes, as if I were there.

- So I do. Sit down. - Thank you.

A man came to consult me for stomach pain.

I was very embarrassed.

I ordered him to take baking soda.

I don't think it hurt him.

Something you don't like?

Yes, I think Perrier is very poorly placed.

- Jean, will you allow me? - Please.

Sit like this instead. And put your elbow on the table.

When he says I don't think it hurt him

you put your hand on his, to calm him down

saying no, no. You don't mind?

Happy to.

- And you? - Yes.

He'd be missing more than that. Go ahead.

Kids, let's start again.

Baking soda, I don't think it hurt him.

- No no. - Very well, you can continue.

If they learned that I'm not a doctor

he would take me for a charlatan.

It almost happened to me at the academy of medicine.

- How they must regret it. - Them? Never!

We are at the penultimate Pasteur rehearsal.

For more than 20 years, I am suffering.

You should say, Elise, that you've been suffering for over 20 years.

I suffer from the disdain

that France has for great works of thought.

Do you remember of what Lagrange said

after the death of Lavoisier?

Elise, you remember the beautiful person

with whom I shared my life recently?

Yes, sir, very well.

Imagine that she is going to marry the Maharaja of Migapour.

Well, Sir, I'm not surprised.

What do you mean?

She will have boasted of having known you, Sir.

You would have told me otherwise and I would have killed you.

Remember what Lagrange said after the death of Lavoisier

It only took a moment to make this head fall.

A hundred years won't be enough to produce a similar one.

Come in.

Sorry, one word.

Just one.

Don't scare me. Which?

I am pleased to announce

that I've been engaged by the Comedie-Francaise.

Ah! How many times did I tell you, you acted in a funny way?

Well done!

In such a case, we don't really know who to congratulate.

Goodbye.

La Comedie-Francaise is a building

A magnificent and terrifying building.

You should never enter it unless you know you can exit it.

You have to be born and die there.

Dad, please put on some makeup.

We'll rehearse in the sets.

Pasteur's daughter, Mrs Vallery-Radot will be there at 3.

She'll attend the rehearsal.

Why don't you come in?

So as not to bother you, of course.

Bother me? You never bother me.

And you see, I anticipated your request.

- Once again, by the way. - That doesn't surprise me.

I'll go and say we can start and I'll come back.

Start whenever you want.

Will you allow me to keep my hat on?

The news is not great. No. When would you leave?

The first day. Me too.

The Normaliens would not leave? No.

- How are you, Mr Guitry? - Please don't talk to me.

And yet God knows what charming actors you are.

You find that Mr Pasteur has a bad temper?

He doesn't look comfortable.

What does it matter to you whether he is?

He doesn't look comfortable.

Why do you want him to be?

I consider him superhuman

like a force of nature.

You assume that he can't be wrong?

Be mistaken? Louis Pasteur?

This assumption seems crazy to me.

He can't be wrong?

Guitry? He always knows what he should do.

As for his private life which I also know about

It will serve as an example one day.

We hear you everywhere, making your shh! shh!

Oh, Dad!

No, Dad.

Hello.

Come in.

Señor Guitry, I am a journalist from Buenos Aires.

It is a great honour to meet the admirable artist that you are.

- I am only his son. - Oh sorry.

Oh, don't apologize, I'm grateful for your mistake.

I'm waiting for my father. Let's wait for him together.

Sit down, Sir.

- Muchisimas gracias. - Don't mention it.

Thank you very much.

Sir, would your father consent to give me an interview?

Ah, he doesn't like interviews?

In truth, neither of us likes interviews

May I present a journalist who wants to interview you.

- Well now - Yes, that, I know.

My pleasure, Señor Guitry.

In truth, it's less of an interview

that the authorization to attend your makeup.

Yes, for the month that you played Pasteur

there is a rumour running through Paris.

My readers would be very happy to know

if what is said is a legend or if it's the truth.

And what is this legend?

Well, here we go, it's claimed

that you have before your eyes a photo of Pasteur

and in a few minutes, you resemble

in a striking way, this photograph.

I see it there, above the makeup table.

Do you grant me permission

to witness your transformation?

He's nice.

He would admirably play a well-bred man.

Should we show him what he asks for?

We can, yes.

But first, we'll show him that we're also jugglers.

You'll see. Hop!

Oh, well done!

I am yours right now.

Thanks.

Sasha, please hand me my bathrobe.

I don't see myself denying you that

and I take advantage of it besides, to shake your hand.

How cheerful he is, of character.

Why? do you want him to be sad?

What does he think of derogatory articles

that sometimes appear, about him?

Ask him yourself.

We generally think, Señor Guitry

that derogatory articles that appear about you

leave you indifferent. Is that true?

No, that's incorrect.

- So they mean something to you? - Oh yes!

What do they make you want to do?

To vomit.

Sit down, Sir.

Let's become a Pasteur

according to your desire and in this image.

Will this do for your interview.

Certainly.

I'd also like to have a theatrical anecdote.

Ah! Dad, he wouldn't be averse to an anecdote in addition.

Well, admire my generosity

your complacency and my memory.

We then did this adorable play

by Maurice Donnay titled Lovers.

In this play, my character

was called Georges Vetheuil.

And there was Jeanne Granier

who played the role of Claudine Rosay.

However, in the second act, when I entered the stage

there was Jeanne Granier-Claudine Rosay..

And also an old gentleman that Dieudonne played admirably

..who bore the name of the Comte de Ruyseux.

I walked in and she had to say Oh, you don’t know each other!

Oh, Mr George Vetheuil, the Count of Ruyseux.

But one evening, at the 120th, it was impossible for her

to remember the name of Georges Vetheuil.

But I was already I had already entered.

So she said: Oh, you don’t know each other!

Allow me to introduce you uh.

She came to me and said to me in a low voice

What's your name?

So I answered her quietly Lucien Guitry.

I couldn't help it. She was

In truth, currently, it's Abraham Lincoln

but that will change.

So she was

extremely upset.

There you are.

Amazing!

I'm looking at both, right now.

And I'm stunned by the resemblance.

Don't be stunned. In truth, this photograph

is of me as Pasteur

..to which I conform every evening.

One evening, at the 110th of Pasteur

On stage for the third act!

On stage for the third act!

Hello kid.

- Does he like theatre? - He's mad about it.

Mad about it? Let him come see me.

Sir, What are you doing here?

Sir, I'm interested.

It interests you?

Yes, because Here, come with me, Mr Guitry.

- Do you see this kid? - Yes.

Well, that's me.

- What do you mean, that's you? - I'm Joseph Mester.

No?!

Stay, Sir. Stay, you're at home.

Well are they seated?

All of them.

So they should be.

Can we knock, Mr Guitry?

One moment, please.

Yes, all okay. Knock.

Come in.

I'm not bothering you?

Not at all, my little Joubert. Please sit down.

You will be kind enough to check the proofs of the speeches

that I delivered in Edinburgh

because I'm afraid of letting mistakes slip through.

Certainly, Mr Pasteur.

Now, that evening, the actor who played the role of the student

was surprised to see that he was not satisfied

to pretend to write.

He really wrote while continuing to play his role.

How moving the welcome was that was given to me there.

And you were very moved, Mr Pasteur.

Yes, very I admit it.

You couldn't believe that you were being cheered.

You were looking everywhere the the person being applauded.

It was so extraordinary.

It was not me whom they cheered.

I represented French science.

No

But I can't believe that a foreign country would do

what in my opinion, France still didn't think it had to.

At that moment, the actor who played the student was surprised to see

..that Lucien Guitry slipped into an envelope

what he had just written, after signing it.

The stage manager and the actors behind the scenes

were worried in turn

at the unusual time that Lucien Guitry was taking.

What was he doing?

He sealed the envelope, he wrote the address.

Completing the tour de force that he had just done

giving an incredible testimony to his mastery on stage,

He was improvizing this.

Would you be so kind as to ask the laboratory boy

to take this letter immediately.

What is he saying?

Very well, Sir.

The one who played the student did what he asked.

Mr Guitry requests that we immediately take this letter.

It's understood. Get back on stage quickly.

Ferriere!

In this regard, I let it appear in my speech in order to sort things out.

The scholar must be concerned of what people will say about him in a century.

Not the insults and compliments of the day.

The assistant manager..

..had passed through the iron gate which leads to the auditorium

and went to the balcony proscenium.

On stage, Lucien Guitry continued to play his role.

As far back as I can remember of my life as a man

I don't think I ever approached a student

without telling him Work and persevere.

A lady unsealed the letter which had just been given to her.

She was the great Italian actress who we called La Duse.

Lucien Guitry wrote to her

Very admirable and great artist, I'm playing for you tonight.

And I wanted to tell you kissing your hands.

The work is really enjoyable

and only it benefits man

and the homeland.

Ah, nothing compares to my extreme love.

And in the ardour he has to show himself to everyone

he even wishes against you.

He even wishes against you.

He even wishes against you.

Yes I would like that no one would find you lovable

that you were reduced to a miserable fate

that the heavens didn't give you anything

that you had no rank no birth, no possessions

so that from my heart the brilliant sacrifice

could right the injustice.

Yes, but let there be no dawdler.

You could suffer a similar fate to repair the injustice.

Curtain.

And that I had the joy and the glory on this day

to see you hold everything from the hands of my love.

Sorry, Moliere.

Hello?

Oh it's you!

I had to call you when I wrote curtain.

I just wrote curtain, so I'm calling you.

Ah that's good.

And are you happy?

Well done, that’s a very good sign.

What did you say?

Although I'm happy with my work, I'm sad.

Why?

You told me one day that the greatest joy of your life

was to lay your hand on a scenery door-knob.

But in the play that I just finished

there's no role for you.

So?

If the play succeeds, you risk going 3 months without a role.

So what?

I fear you get bored without acting.

Oh, without acting?

But I act from morning to night. I never stop acting.

I don't think that my life could have been otherwise.

My double is myself. The real me is the actor.

At the restaurant, when I ask for bread, I perform.

If I find out of the situation of Madame and her husband, I play.

I'm playing and I make him play himself.

I regard him as an actor giving me the answer.

And I send it back to him.

I'm going to make another confession to you.

Do you know what I am doing?

I'm working on The Misanthrope.

Do you know how long I've been working on it?

For 46 years. I'm not joking.

Eh? Oh no.

I don't have the intention of replaying it right now.

I would like for my personal satisfaction

to try to make it even better.

And why? My job, I love it, I adore it.

And I serve it perpetually.

The profession of an actor is the most beautiful in the world.

I know that some people consider it despicable.

The most dishonourable.

Although it is this reduces to ashes

and thrown down the drain.

Lunch is served.

Okay, now I'm going to go and eat some dead animals.

I'm seeing you this evening. You'll read your play to me.

What's it's name?

It's called Masked Love.

On the evening of the dress rehearsal of Masked Love

he was supposed to be in the right proscenium.

But during the day, because he had a small boil on the back of his neck

he made me ask to exchange this proscenium with him

for a ground-floor box.

Come in.

We brought this for you, Mr Sacha.

Unwrap it, please.

Thanks.

So he offered me this lovely painting

that he considered as his lucky charm.

Why did he give me this gift that night?

We could perhaps discover at a pinch

a Frenchman who does not have the Legion of Honour.

But to see a happy man? That is impossible.

Reason refuses such thoughts.

It's crazy, it's incredible, it’s prodigious.

Well, I'm a man

who's extremely happy.

At the first intermission, while I was waiting for his visit

anxious to know if he was satisfied

a friend of his showed up at my dressing room.

She was with him in box 15.

He didn't want to show himself with this hideous bandage around the neck.

She gave me a scribbled note from him

saying what a pleasure the first act had been for him.

Thanks.

I was a little surprised.

At the next intermission, there was another little note she brought me.

He was enchanted, delighted with the second act.

After the last act, 3 lines told me his happiness for it's success.

He quickly went home to bed, to conceal his discomfort.

So much vanity surprised me

but I didn't think that it was a lie.

I couldn't guess that he had scribbled these words around 7 a.m

struck down by a heart attack.

While the triumphant music of Messager played

he died alone at home

thus giving testimony to his deference to happiness

his love for his profession

and his respect for the theatre.