Jewel Robbery

Always startling to see the quiet parts being shouted quite loudly and proudly in these more risqué pre-Code efforts – our hero (a dashing, effectively venal Powell in lead) getting a cop stoned on weed as to make his escape is just one highlight of stagey but effective comedy caper – fast paced enough as to help you forget what a contrivance the whole thing is, but the magical chemistry between Powell and Francis (and Francis’ full-blooded swooning) also helps things go down a lot smoother.

My first time seeing William Powell play a baddie, gosh I love him. People being actively horny? WEED??? Fuck yeah, I love pre-code stuff

Viewed January 25, 2019.

Wow this is a fun movie. Kay Francis balances bored rich wife, girlish innocence and sex like no one I've ever seen. William Powell is wonderful as the charming gentleman robber who doesn't need money but the thrill and freedom of doing whatever you want and taking whatever you like. The weird thing here is that this story plays out exactly how I'd imagine a Romance novel to go but somehow for some reason it works and works well.

Complete hokum that would not fly if made today...but the two leads are perfect... tho Powell steals the show IMO, everyone looks to be enjoying themselves totally.

A little too vacuous for my taste. Powell is ... peculiar ... for being a jewel thief with an army bigger than the Viennese police force. And Francis plays an airhead more in love with adventure than in common sense. There are a few funny moments, but not enough to recommend.

Fun, to be sure. But the lack of commitment from any of these characters, except to their own whims, is its own complicating factor. The film tries to acknowledge this with her friend staying true to her principles. But the comedy does need to grapple with the meaning of marriage and commitment, and it just doesn't.

Elegantly silly! Rarely have there been a robbery more gentlemanly done then this. William Powell and his gang pull-off a well executed jewel heist, where once again Powell falls for Kay Francis, a lady who is bored but married to money. This is a very pre-code film. Smoking drugs for the comic relief and our criminal hero put in such positive light. Plus Francis always undressing or wearing a dress that should have slipped off at any movement.