Jewel Robbery (Dieterle, 1932): BFI Southbank, NFT3, 2.30pm
This film, part of the Hollywood Pre-Code season, is also being screened on August 12th in NFT1 with an introduction by critic and film programmer Christina Newland. Full details here.
BFI introduction:
“In the morning, a cocktail. In the afternoon, a man.” One of the rare
Pre-Code films set in Europe, Jewel Robbery is the story of a Viennese
lady (the mischievous Kay Francis) caught in the midst of a diabolical
jewel heist by a gentleman thief, played by the ever-charming William
Powell. Casually wreathing its characters in marijuana smoke and
unabashedly mentioning their extramarital affairs, the Warner Brothers
tagline for the film teased: ‘He stole her jewels....but that’s not
all!’ Francis, terminally bored by her older, wealthy husband, gets a
rapturous glint in her eye at the thought of a scandal, nevermind the
dangerous flirtation with Powell that ensues. Featuring a cheeky direct
address to camera and a joyfully sinful conclusion, this was the fifth
of seven film outings for the crackerjack pairing of Kay Francis and
William Powell. At a bite-sized 70 minutes, this heist caper is the kind
of sultry amuse-bouche that leaves you wanting more in the best way.
Christina Newland
Here (and above) is the trailer.
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