Margaret Rutherford as a woman who has written a play under a man's name comes to the first rehearsals of her play. Robert Morley is the reluctant director and they have perfect chemistry, and genuinely witty lines to go with it. They spar over details, and the repertory company cast at the obscure theatre they are playing in join in. As for the actors who play the actors Olive Sloane stands out; an ageing actor who once knew success and resigns herself to a life that she had not hoped for. Kay Kendall also stands out, and in just a few scenes made me want to beg for more, and long before this film British Cinema should have begged for more. ' Genevieve ' another great comedy made her a household name and her brief life allowed her to make other fine films and I for one still miss her. As for the rest of the cast they are all perfect in their parts, and as actors playing actors they are utterly convincing. The whole film concentrates on rehearsals of a mediocre play, and no more spoilers. British repertory theatre ( a play each week ) has long since gone, so this cinematic experience of how important and touching they were is a history lesson in itself. A Perfect gem that is well worth watching out for.
Review of Curtain Up
