Ladrão Romântico

This is a sparkling and witty fantasy about a pampered society dame (Kay Francis) who has become aware of the hollowness of her life and a dapper jewel thief (William Powell) who steals her treasures and awakens her from her golden tedium. I call it a "fantasy" because, sadly, we've become too aware of how real crime and criminals work. There's no effort to conceal faces, the robbery crew addresses each other by first name, Powell plays soothing music and engages in witty banter with those he's robbing, but nonetheless it's very entertaining to watch. Another odd aspect of this unusual film is that Powell gives his victims marijuana cigarettes to smoke, to make them passive and jovial. This is one of those pre-code films from that tiny window where sound had come in, the depression was on and the Production Codes weren't re-writing movies like Jewel Robbery. See it when you can. Like the object of it's main character obsession, it is truly a gem.

First comes the disclaimer – I admit to being a big time Kay Francis fan. I particularly love her in movies like this – light romantic comedies. She simply shines – she is sophisticated, enchanting, elegant, seductive and absolutely inimitable; while at the same time projecting an impish charm and sense of humor that simply captivates - hell, I admit to even adoring her slight lisp – it's the minor "imperfection" that enhances the whole! This movie was released a good ten years before I was born, but I finally got to see it last week and it was worth waiting for. Other reviewers have outlined the plot, so I will only add that this movie is Kay Francis at her best, as good as, or better than her role in "Trouble in Paradise". She and William Powell play beautifully off each other, and the supporting cast – each and every one of them – is nothing short of terrific. This movie is really a gem and a wonderful example of what Hollywood could do (and did) in the early days of "talkies" before the Hayes Office Code made a travesty of film-making. They could not have made this film in 1935, just three years later. The sexual innuendos and situations would have been verboten – yet everything was merely insinuated, not blatantly exploited. This small three or four year "window" in the history of movies was able to be sophisticated, witty, erudite and adult without the necessity of crudity, gratuitous sexuality or the use of language and violence simply for it's shock value rather than for what it adds to the story or plot. Yes, yes, I know – I'm old and need to move with the times. However, this movie shows just how entertaining, funny and charming and sexy good writing, good acting and good direction can be. If you haven't seen it – do so – you won't be disappointed.

This is one of the raciest films of the 1930's. A married woman is having affairs all over the place, and then is willingly seduced by a gallant jewel thief. The movie just drips with illicit sex - you've got to see this one to believe it. Damn the Production Code for stopping films like this! Wavising Kay Fwancis has never been better!

This is a wonderful companion to TROUBLE IN PARADISE, also featuring the immortal and neglected Kay Francis; it features the great William Powell in one of his most unrivaled moments on screen. Another great one from Dieterle who also directed the American classic DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER, which was recently released on DVD. Be nice to see this other classic of his become available. I viewed this on TCM and was entranced by the sparkling dialog; I wondered again why this effect seems impossible to achieve nowadays - was it that so many of these early actors had honed their talents on the stage? I would like to see this released on a disc with HIGH PRESSURE, another early Powell.

William Powell is a smooth jewel thief who captivates Kay Francis in "Jewel Robbery," a 1932 film made before the dreaded code kicked in.

Set in Vienna, Francis plays a baroness who, like her friends, has married a dull man for money and takes lovers. While her husband is buying her a 28-carat diamond and she's arguing with her boyfriend, William Powell and his team enter to rob the store. It's love at first sight.

This is a slight but very amusing film, interesting for the racy story line, the outfits, and Kay Francis herself. A very unusual-looking woman, Francis' heyday was in the '30s, and everything about her screamed '30s, of course - her hair, her fashions, and the kind of films she made. She's somewhat frozen in time there.

Powell is his usual dashing, delightful self, and the two work very well together. The scene at Powell's place is particularly interesting, as she demands not to be asked to do anything, but to be forced, at which point, he picks her up and throws her onto his huge bed. "But there are so many pleasant in between steps," she objects.

A delightful movie, not terribly long, but fascinating given the era in film in which it was made.