THE MADNESS OF PARIS Comedy in 8 acts by Clément Vautel
Director Joe Francys
Producer Alex Nalpas
Life is full of contrasts. Tourists visiting Paris remain
dazzled by the lights that illuminate the city at midnight.
But how many of them know the gray mornings? The city wakes up. The city
awakens. Every day is a new battle that begins when the factory echo whistles.
Gabrielle Derisau was a little gear within this
great machine we call Paris. She worked in the
big house of Paquin which, despite its high prices,
paid its employees miserably. Hélène Hallier
Here is what Gabrielle called home.
Where is your weekly pay? Bring it here, you whore!
Fantasies of fate - Or maybe irony - Gabrielle worked on the Street of Peace!
With her little free time, Gabrielle went in the park among
the flowers, with the birds singing and her magazines.
In the paper, an interesting announcement.
CONTEST Who has the smallest feet in France?
We invite readers with the smallest feet in the country
to appear today at 3 pm. Winner will receive
10,000 francs, and a contract with our magazine.
It's your chance, Gabrielle. You do not have big feet.
So? Is this how you act outside the workshop? Will
you show your legs to the boys in the street?
Pardon me, but I don't see any boys here.
Give me those packages and disappear! You will
have nothing further to do in our establishment!
Congratulations, Gabrielle. You do well to leave such a monotonous life.
Hurry, go to the contest. You are sure to win the 1,000 francs with your little feet.
You're late. You must have entered before 3 pm.
I'll show the judges a thing or two. Take me to them!
Do not despair. If I were in your place, as beautiful
as you are, the revue would make me a dancer.
Ms. Georgette Rambert is the winner of the competition.
At night, she dreamed of a magnificent magazine full of color and light.
Why not try? Many others have succeeded...
One of the major places of Paris: The famous Moulin Rouge.
With her last savings, Gabrielle had bought a
ticket to one of the cheapest spots in the balcony.
THE COFFEES A number representing all the coffees
in the world: Java, Mocha, San Salvador, Brazil...
Irresistibly conquered by the scene, Gabrielle is
determined to establish contacts with the artistic crowd.
Georges Barsac, talented artist... but ignored by the
directors. (André Luguet of the Comédie Française)
It seems that you have an interest in the affairs of the theater, miss.
My fondest dream is to be on the stage.
Believe me, miss, it is not as beautiful as it is
appears. Little do you know what happens in the wings...
That man... He's a great actor, right? How well spoken he is!
Great barker, rather... He is the one who calls the actors to the stage!
Would you like to see a revue?
Permit me to offer you a seat in the loge at the Palace.
I do not want to go to the Palace dressed like this... Listen...
Be good and get me a dress from the Paquin collection.
Return it tomorrow morning. At the opening hour!
At night...
It is without a doubt a cliché to say you look exquisite.
That will not come on time.
I think that this evening I will show more than the usual talent.
The impresario, Révande.
The grand opening number: The Orgies
The famous dancer Stanislawa Welska.
Acrobatic dances - The Ludovics.
CINDERELLA Miss Georgette Rambert, Contest Winner for the "Smallest Feet in France."
What a scandal! The shoe won't fit. The smallest feet in France are swollen!
Excuse me, miss, but it would be better to try on a shoe for the ride on Sunday.
Ladies, is there anyone among you who believes
she might be able to wear Cinderella's shoe?
Try it, miss. I think you could succeed!
After her first triumph.
Congratulations. Here's the opportunity you
were waiting for. Take full advantage of it.
Come into my office tomorrow morning. I think I
can make a proposition that will interest you.
Gabrielle's interview with Révande resulted in a
contract as a dancer in the revue's Palace Theater.
Mr. Henri Varna. Great Creator of the revue at the Palace.
Miss, remember that, to succeed in the theater,
you must do three things: Work, work, work!
At night, the metamorphosis. Larvae and pupae are transformed into butterflies.
ONE NIGHT IN MEXICO Palace company
The Umbrellas Miss Brazin and the Palace company
Golfers Manolo Titos and the Albany Girls
The exit of the artists.
The first cloud in Gabrielle's blue sky.
I am in a big hurry, but I can drop you off at your place all the same.
She cannot live without me! I'll see you tomorrow in the Bois de Boulogne.
The next day.
She, with Révande! Women are all alike!
I hope not I have not made you wait too long.
Mr. Revande was very kind to bring you here.
He has a beautiful car, and it is a pleasure to accompany him.
No, thanks. I am not hungry. I have trouble digesting it all...
I think I understand you.
Back home, Georges was in a bad mood. This day,
which he had looked forward to, was ruined.
Paris 08/15/1927 Mr. Georges Barsac. We would greatly appreciate a visit in our office
to discuss a possible contract with our theater. Sincerely, F. Berlioz The Director
Révande begins to think Gabrielle Derisau could become an excellent business for him.
No, my name is not good enough just as it is.
Yes, that sounds much better: Gaby Derys.
Gaby Derys is going to seduce all Paris with her little feet.
The premiere at the Folies Bergère of the hyper-revue
AN AIR OF MADNESS by Lord Louis Lemarchand.
THE HOUR OF THE PARTIES Prologue
The King's Cake The John Tiller Folies stars
APRIL FISHES Danced by Erna Caris
EASTER EGGS with Dehan and Londonia
CHRISTMAS SHOES Komarova, Skibine and Gretchikine
PLANTATION with Josephine Baker and The Thompson Jazz Orchestra
IMPRESSIONS OF SPAIN The John Tiller Folies stars
Shawls Jane de Balzac and Erna Garis
The Tambourines The John Tiller Folies stars
The audience is impressed. A new star is about to emerge.
For the first time, Gaby Derys and Georges Barsac in TANGO UNDER THE MOON
Is it a success or a flop? Nobody knows yet. The public is always
indulgent with beginners, and the applause may mean nothing.
In the wings.
I'm a publicity agent. There is no success without advertising
Let me propose a media coup. That pearl necklace
between you and me, is worth only 49 francs,
disappears one night from her jewelry box...
Next day, media publishes: Daring robbery at home of
Gaby Derys. Later the next day, the paper writes: an
audacious robbery om home of celebrated dancer Gaby Derys.
Necklace worth 500,000 francs stolen... That's it!
If you are interested in my proposal, the theft will take place
shortly. A masked man will surprise you at home around midnight.
And remember: There is no success without advertising. Here's my card.
A HOTEL IN THE AGE OF LOUIS XIII Lila Nikolska
THE SAME PLACE IN 1927 with Josephine Baker
EGYPTIAN TEMPLE with Komarova, Gretchikine, and Skinine.
SEATED DANCE! The John Tiller Folies stars
NAVAL GLORIES Folies Bergère company
THE MADNESS OF PARIS Folies Bergère company
That night.
I was dreaming!
Not a single cry! Not a single gesture! Otherwise, death!
The necklace!
Tomorrow... in all the papers... first page... giant letters...
Next day the press remains silent... the day passes... and the revue continues...
Is it for vanity that you are not wearing your jewels tonight?
I've forgotten them at home, my dear.
THE WEDDING
Lila Nikolska
Gaby Derys's dressing room.
How I am pampered! I do not need flowers to
remember all that I owe to your loyal friendship.
I see Mr. Révande is at home here.
Such flowers! They hide many illusions.
Please leave... I need to get dressed.
And... HE remains?
I will not leave without you.
You're a great actor, Barsac, but a pathetic psychologist.
When you read this letter, you will know, Gaby and I
have given each other favors... Why and for whom...
Dear Mr. Révande, In response to our interview
and your offer of a contract, I must inform
you that my acceptance depends on a strict condition:
The hiring of Mr. Georges Barsac. Gabrielle Dériseau
The unexpected proposal that I received from Révande... Now I
understand... Gaby, is to you that I owe the opportunity of my life.
Forgive me for doubting you. I love you so much!
I have to return something to you. Ektinar