claudiaeilcinema A chemistry lesson by two masters at their craft. Dietrich and Cooper. What a delight! She looks stronger than him, not physically, but emotionally. A man eater. She could have done whatever she wanted with him but she can't go as far as she might have because she falls in love. What a delight! Cooper's simpleton is a perfect target for a swindler and yet nothing truly harmful comes to him because he's protected by his own decency. What a delight! Lubitch producing this time, manages to infuse his glorious magic in this remarkable equation. I enjoyed it so much that I had to see it again immediately. What a delight!

christ80 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.

funkyfry Dietrich is a sexy jewel thief who robs (and lives) by manipulating every male in her vicinity. Cooper, as an auto engineer on a vacation in Spain, proves no different, as he unwittingly carries the stolen gems for her across the Spanish border, but she soon falls for his energetic sincerity (not to mention his tall, broad shoulders) but must continue to lie to him to avoid arrest and disgrace. Eventually, instead of turning thieves together (which would have been more interesting), they decide to go straight and return the jewels. This is the type of thing that started to pop up in these kind of films after the reforms of the early thirties. The film's second half is thus less fun than its first, but it emerges as a solid comedy/romance package.

Ron Oliver 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.