The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946): Cast & Plot
The Diary of a Chambermaid is a 1946 comedy drama directed by Jean Renoir, starring Judith Anderson as Madame Lanlaire, Francis Lederer and Paulette Goddard. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Jean Renoir
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Benedict Bogeaus Production
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Diary of a Chambermaid About?
The premise of The Diary of a Chambermaid without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Celestine becomes a chambermaid at the Lanlaires’ country estate, planning to seduce a wealthy patron. The house is run by Madame Lanlaire and valet Joseph, so she pursues the neighboring ex‑officer Mauger, which succeeds. When son Georges returns, Mauger, Georges and Joseph—a valet from three social levels—vie for her. She must decide if she can win Georges’s love.
The Diary of a Chambermaid Themes & Keywords
· 24 tags- tuberculosis
- master servant relationship
- love
- france
- festival
- comedy of manners
- chambermaid
- foreign language adaptation
- class differences
- maid
- based on novel
- based on play
+12 more Show fewer
- champagne
- cider
- infidelity
- damsel in distress
- ambition
- country estate
- mama's boy
- ambitious
- cigarette smoking
- bedtime story
- domineering mother
- eccentricity
The Diary of a Chambermaid Cast & Characters
Judith Anderson leads the cast as Madame Lanlaire, with Francis Lederer as Joseph and Paulette Goddard as Célestine. Directed by Jean Renoir; 15 actors are credited in all.
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Director Jean Renoir
-
Judith Anderson as Madame Lanlaire - Francis Lederer as Joseph
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Paulette Goddard as Célestine -
Burgess Meredith as Captain Mauger
Also Starring in The Diary of a Chambermaid
· 11 more- Hurd Hatfield Georges Lanlaire
- Reginald Owen Captain Lanlaire
- Florence Bates Rose
- Harry Semels Townsman (Uncredited)
- Ben Hall Townsman (Uncredited)
- Jack Perry Townsman (Uncredited)
- Egon Brecher The Postman (Uncredited)
- Joe Ploski Townsman (Uncredited)
- Almira Sessions Marianne
- Sumner Getchell Pierre (Uncredited)
- Irene Ryan Louise
More from Jean Renoir
More films directed by Jean Renoir, best-rated first: The Rules of the Game, The Little Theatre of Jean Renoir, The Elusive Corporal and Picnic on the Grass.
The Diary of a Chambermaid Plot Summary
What happens in The Diary of a Chambermaid from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1885 France, Celestine [Paulette Goddard] begins a new life as a chambermaid at the Lanlaire family estate, hoping to climb higher on the social ladder. She starts with her new employer, Monsieur Lanlaire, and quickly wins his favor, his attention leaning toward her warm company rather than that of his domineering wife, Madame Lanlaire [Judith Anderson]. The quiet household atmosphere is soon disturbed by the arrival of the eccentric neighbor, Captain Mauger [Burgess Meredith], who becomes fixated on having Celestine under his roof and offers to marry her as a path to wealth if she comes to live with him.
Full summary
The whole story of The Diary of a Chambermaid, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Diary of a Chambermaid?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrays the chambermaid Celestine?
The Diary of a Chambermaid Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Le journal d'une femme de chambre” and “Diario de una camarera”.
- Also known as
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- Le journal d'une femme de chambre
- Diario de una camarera
- Il diario di una cameriera
- Tagebuch einer Kammerzofe
- Memorias de una doncella
- Το Ημερολόγιο μιας Καμαριέρας
- O Diário de uma Criada de Quarto
- Segredos de Alcova
- 女仆日记
- Щоденник покоївки
- 어느 하녀의 일기
- En kammarjungfrus memoarer
Seen The Diary of a Chambermaid?
Movies Like The Diary of a Chambermaid
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Diary of a Chambermaid, The Diary of an Innocent Boy and Papa, Mama, the Maid and I.
The Diary of a Chambermaid FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Diary of a Chambermaid, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Diary of a Chambermaid?
The Diary of a Chambermaid runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was The Diary of a Chambermaid released?
The Diary of a Chambermaid was released on February 15, 1946.
Who directed The Diary of a Chambermaid?
The Diary of a Chambermaid was directed by Jean Renoir.
More films by Jean Renoir Who is in the cast of The Diary of a Chambermaid?
The Diary of a Chambermaid stars Judith Anderson as Madame Lanlaire, Francis Lederer as Joseph and Paulette Goddard as Célestine, among 15 credited actors.
Does The Diary of a Chambermaid have a post-credit scene?
No. The Diary of a Chambermaid has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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