Desire

Marlene Dietrich stars as a European jewel thief who comically pilfers an extremely rare and expensive pearl necklace from a renowned jewelry store in France. Making her escape through Europe, she keeps bumping into a persistent, not-so-bright, vacationing American motor engineer played delightfully by Gary Cooper. After blowing he and his advances off several times, she realized that he unknowingly has obtained her stolen prize, and now she must find him in Spain and play up to him romantically. The film is very breezy and light most of the way, and Cooper and Dietrich do a fine job together. Meanwhile, Ernest Cossart as the jeweler and Alan Mowbray as a psychiatrist who is an unwitting accomplice to Dietrich have a great comedic scene with each other early on in Mowbray's office. 7 out of 10.

The first part will puzzle Borzage's fans because it's not his usual style:it's a comedy and the fans of "little man what now?" "no greater glory" or "lucky star" may not get something out of it.Not that Borzage had not broached comedy before:one of his first talkies was "they had to see Paris" ,a sometimes ponderous satire of American naiveté in France,a country Borzage particularly loved (see "Seventh heaven" or "hearts divided" .

"Desire" begins in France with a nice shot of "les Toits Sous Le Ciel De Paris".The scenes between the jeweler and the shrink are sheer genius and have inspired since many screenwriters.Gary Cooper as the naive (not so naive anyway) American and Marlene Dietrich as the elegant glamor false countess make an ideal pairing:he is hot,joyful,singing and she is cold ,remote,suave and there is a special chemistry between them (there are other ladies with whom Cooper was particularly brilliant:two good examples are found in "unconquered" with Paulette Godard and "cloak and dagger" with Lili Palmer,another German actress ) This is also the movie where you 'll find the longest honk in the history of cinema.The only movie where they're talking international politics without being political.Towards the end ,the movie almost turns dramatic ,notably when aunt Olga tells Dietrich about love which is more valuable when it remains impossible.

This is not among my favorite Borzage (considering " three comrades" "mortal storm" and "strange cargo" were still to come) but it's really much fun to watch and it is to be recommended .

The DESIRE for a fabulous string of pearls has unexpected results for the beautiful thief.

Bearing the unmistakable impress of its legendary producer, Ernst Lubitsch, here is a stylish concoction of witty dialogue & sophisticated romance sure to please the most discriminating palate. It is a shame that the film is so badly neglected, as it is a joy from start to finish. With impeccable production values, the film is also a study in handsome sets & costumes.

Gorgeous Marlene Dietrich ravishes the eye with her sheer physical presence, but her beauty should not detract from her acting ability, which is considerable. She presents us with a woman of mystery & slowly, deliberately, allows us to acquaint ourselves with her character. She imbues it all with a real sense of humor, which makes her first scenes, in which she pulls off a classic jewel robbery, all that more delightful.

Rawboned & enthusiastic, there is very little mystery swirling about Gary Cooper, playing an American auto engineer working in Paris. Embracing all life might bring him in his first trip to Spain, he is wide open and ready for passionate romance when Dietrich blows into his life. Their screen time together is charged with sensual electricity which no Production Code could disguise.

Deftly underplaying the menace of his role, John Halliday is dangerously suave as a thieving ‘prince' who manages to keep one step ahead of the law. Ernest Cossart & Alan Mowbray are wonderful as Parisian gentlemen who fall victim to Dietrich's schemes (one has his pearls purloined, the other gets his dignity damaged).

Elderly English actress Zeffie Tilbury is given an unusually choice role, playing the matriarch of the gang of thieves. Arriving late in the proceedings, with only a few scenes she is able to make us wish we knew a lot more about her character.

In much smaller roles, William Frawley as Cooper's boss & Akim Tamiroff, as a Spanish police official blinded by Dietrich's beauty, do well with their few minutes on the screen.

if you liked Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise, this is a lesser but still quite enjoyable version. Directed by Borzage and produced by Lubitsch, it is difficult to find but features a marvelous Dietrich and adorable Coop. The opening scenes quickly show you why Paris by Paramount was often considered better than Paris as itself. Charming lines like 'I'm going to put my hand in your pocket' were clever ways to overcome the Hays era constraints. The elegance of the era is well presented here combined with the straight up-ness of the 'good American' culture. There are also poignant references to the oncoming WWII through lines like 'Don't underestimate America, it's a big country', quite prescient since this was still 1936. If you like American Romantic Comedy of the 30's, you will enjoy this film...a shame they don't make 'em like this anymore.

Directed by Frank Borzage and produced by Ernest Lubitch, that alone is a guarantee of something very special. On top of that, Gary Cooper and Marlene Dietrich in a fast, furious, magical duet. He is a charming Forrest Gump on vacation, she is a born seductress, a jewel thief, a woman on the verge of being beyond redemption. The dialog could have been written today even their talk about war. The camera had a real love affair with Cooper and Dietrich. Their feelings so visible. He in love like a school boy and she discovering him and herself, bit by bit. There are moments of Dietrich staring at Cooper that are a masterpiece on their own right. She is seeing something she has never seen before - innocence at its purest state. Don't miss it.