Desiderio

First, I give kudos to both the camera man as well as the makeup artists. They did an exceptional job in presenting Ms. Dietrich--she's as pretty as I've ever seen her in a film. While I have never been a fan of her work and never found her particularly attractive, they make the absolute most of what she's got in this film. She did appear appropriately tantalizing and her acting was excellent. Maybe I need to see a few more of her films so I might re-appraise her work.

The plot is very hard to believe--not so much as having Dietrich play a jewel thief, but that she would steal and destroy Gary Cooper's car and he wouldn't be a lot more angry about it! In fact, soon they are both head-over-heels in love!! I remember the last time some lady hit my car (she didn't even steal it)--I was much more likely to punch the lady in the nose than fall her her! Oh well, that's Hollywood of the 1930s. If you suspend disbelief about this, the rest of the film is a very entertaining romance. Plus, the end of the film will surely satisfy everyone. It's a very good effort only hampered by a few difficult to swallow story devices.

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.

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 .

Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper show an unexpected flair for romantic comedy that goes into high gear during DESIRE. They are surrounded by some expert supporting players, including Alan Mobray as a doctor who is "taken" by Marlene's sly and crafty jewel thief.

The plot is thin but pleasant and moves at a fast clip with ample chemistry between Dietrich and Cooper more than making up for the slight story. When Dietrich accidentally lets Cooper get away with the pearl necklace she has stolen, she has to follow him and lure him back with some fancy scheming. John Halliday has fun with his role as her consort in crime but it is Alan Mobray who has the plum supporting role as the doctor she so charmingly deceives.

Diverting entertainment with Dietrich expert as the exotic jewel thief under Frank Borzage's direction. The whole picture has such a light touch you'd think it was directed by Ernst Lubitsch.

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.