Le débutant

Francis Perrin wrote the screenplay which is reportedly based on his own story;he is essentially a stage actor .With a few exceptions ("On S'Est Trompé D'Histoire D'Amour"),he has never been given great parts in the cinema.Fortunately ,"Le débutant" (actually a misnomer for Perrin was not one,by a long shot ,when the movie was made)shows extracts of the famous plays in which he performed :he is dazzlingly talented in the part of Covielle from "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme" and in Figaro's monologue.And we would like more of his "Scapin" .

Julien Berteau is convincing as a dramatic art teacher and his scenes with his students recall Marc Allégret's "Entrée Des Artistes" (1938)and the unique Louis Jouvet.

The rest of the movie is often pleasant,but sometimes heavy- handed:the comings and goings in the hotel corridors,the episode of the diva ,and the repetitive gag of the bleeding nose.

Good supporting parts by Dominique Lavanant as an authoritarian thespian who rules her circle with an iron hand and by Jean-Claude Brialy as her submissive husband.