Gérard Philipe

Octave Mouret, ambitious provincial

Dany Carrel

Berthe Josserand, the youngest daughter

Danielle Darrieux

Caroline Hédouin, boss of “Au Bonheur des Dames”

Jacques Duby

Auguste Vabre, second son of the owner of the building

Jane Marken

Eléonore Josserand, the mother

Olivier Hussenot

Joseph Josserand, the father

Henri Vilbert

Narcisse Bachelard, brother of Eléonore

Jean Brochard

Mr. Duveyrier, former attorney general

Danielle Dumont

Hortense Josserand, the eldest daughter

Anouk Aimée

Marie Pichon, young mother with a pram

George Cusin

Achille Compardon, architect and lover of Gasparine

Claude Nollier

Clotilde Duveyrier, prosecutor's wife

Jacques Grello

Théophile Vabre, the eldest son, husband of Valérie

Van Doude

Hector Trublot, young friend of Narcisse

Michèle Grellier

Fanny, Miss Menu's niece and Narcisse's mistress