Arsene Lupin 1932 - The first screen pairing of the Barrymore brothers

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IMDB rating: 7,0

Director: Jack Conway
Main Cast: John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Karen Morley, John Miljan, Tully Marshall

"John Barrymore plays a burglar and his brother Lionel Barrymore is the detective trying to catch him in this cleverly cast drama. An upscale thief who works under the name of Arsene Lupin is making the rounds of the homes of the wealthy and privileged, and Detective Guerchard (Lionel Barrymore) is determined to track him down. What he doesn't know is that the suave and sophisticated Duke of Charmerace (John Barrymore) is actually the man behind the robberies. Will Guerchard find out the thief's true identity before he can execute a daring theft from the Louvre Museum? Karen Morely co-stars as Sonia, the Duke's love interest.
When it debuted in 1932, the big news about Arsene Lupin was that it was the first screen pairing of the legendary Barrymore brothers. Modern audiences, who have had the chance to see them in several of their subsequent screen teamings, won't approach Arsene with the same sense of anticipation, but they'll likely find themselves quite entertained with the result, especially if they are fans of Raffles-type 'gentleman thief' stories. The screenplay of Arsene is solid, setting up the situations with skill and making sure that all of the parts are in their proper places. The writers do a fine job of keeping the audience guessing as to the identity of the title character until more than halfway into the film and it is only in the climax that the viewer is really certain that his guess is right. Jack Conway directs efficiently, with an eye on atmosphere and tension but also making sure that the appropriate light moments are given equal play. And he is very careful to spotlight 'the big show': the scenes in which John Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore share the screen and perform their own special brand of dramatic dueling. They're in beautiful form, sparring delightfully off of each other and giving their fans plenty to relish. All in all, Arsene is a treat for fans of light mystery entertainment." - www.allmovie.com

DVD links:

(Arsene Lupin Double Feature: Arsene Lupin 1932 & Arsene Lupin Returns 1938)

Jewel robbery 1932 - A pre-code little comedy gem

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IMDB rating: 7,6

Director: William Dieterle
Main Cast: William Powell, Kay Francis, Helen Vinson

"A bored Baroness discovers love and excitement when she becomes caught up in a thrilling jewel robbery.
Scintillating, light as air and slightly naughty, this pre-Code charmer will delight discriminating viewers looking for a sophisticated comedy, a little trifle with which to while away an idle hour. Thievery, marijuana and infidelity - while very serious subjects - are here satirized almost to the point of insignificance. The whole purpose of this forgotten film - which compares nicely with the best of Lubitsch - is to provide the audience with a good time, and in that it succeeds quite admirably.
Beautiful Kay Francis is enchanting, her cool demeanor barely concealing the mischievous passions just below her elegant surface. Very bored with her wealthy but unattractive husband (Henry Kolker), she yearns for a more exciting life. Gentlemanly thief William Powell provides that opportunity. Suave and debonair, he instantly makes the viewer forgive his regrettable vocation. As a twosome, the stars bring just the right frisson of pleasure to their scenes to please all but the most jaded viewer.
The supporting cast further adds to the film's fine distillation. Hardie Albright as Francis' admirer and Helen Vinson as her friend both portray willing partakers of Old Vienna's hedonistic lifestyle. Spencer Charters is very humorous as a completely incompetent night watchman. Sour Clarence Wilson plays a police official, while Alan Mowbray shines in his few minutes as a no-nonsense detective.
 Jewel Robbery was based on a play by Ladislas Fodor, previously filmed in an Austrian version."

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