Desire

Now that movies have degenerated into (male) car crashes, or (female) dike-rap, one returns to films like this one to try to imagine what all of Cole Porter, Cary Grant, Edward and Wallis, Duke Ellington and Fred Astaire were all about. It isn't enough to say, merely "Style;" Camp has pretty much sullied that word for two generations, now. But style -- or that combination of concept and high finish that a furniture manufacture calls The Bogart Look -- exists, or existed, once, and one can see it here, live and bubbling like a genie of mirth climbing out of a champagne bottle.The plot is simple enough: a beautiful European jewel thief on the run accidentally meets and falls in love with a naif but excruciatingly handsome American guy in a very good suit. They go through the choreography of flirtation in back-lot Southrn Spain, surrounded by a stellar crew of supporting players with wonderful accents.Dietrich, again in her version of the Dolores Del Rio look, wearing a dress nobody else in the world could wear, sits at the piano and accompanies herself in the song, "You've Got That Look." It is too insane! It is wonderful. It's a performance you'd have paid a hundred bucks (in 1940's money) for in a good New York hotel boite, but Lena Horne or Eartha Kitt or even Hildegarde would have given it to you.This is all about the Romantic Feature Film as comic art. It ought to be required reading for all the film wanabees who hope to direct, and somehow get the chance, but turn out low-brow drivel like When Harry Met Sally. You can (and maybe you should) watch this movie over and over, the way you enjoy anything rare and precious. Like the Marx Brothers comedies, it has healing power, and pre-war value.Every element in it is expertly integrated. It's a short movie, really, but so perfectly realized you have the impression of having had either a convincing halucination, or a true life experience.Champagne for the eyes.

If you’re curious about what real movie stars used to look like, this is a good place to start. On the other hand, if your tastes are strictly for Italian Neo-Realism, Jean Luc Goddard political treatises, or Marvel Comic Books type flics, you’d be advised to avoid this one.Directed by the master of Euro-sophistication, Ernst Lubitch, the thin plot concerns a charming and elegant jewel thief (Marlene Dietrich) who comes across a not so naive but affable American car designer (Gary Cooper) and bamboozles him into smuggling a stolen diamond necklace across the border between France and Spain. Complications, of course, arise.The leading players are at the peak of their beauty and glamor. This was an era (the 1930s) where audiences went to watch their favorite film stars cavorting in sumptuous sets, instead of being “enlightened” by any directorial “vision.”The romantic duo are deftly surrounded by the most irresistible bunch of Euro-hams this side of the Danube. The surroundings are as lavish as anything Paramount studios could afford. Dietrich wears the kind of expensive but demented rags that only she (and Joan Crawford at Metro) could pull off with her usual aplomb. Of course, she’s in on the joke while sitting at a grand piano singing a bouncy love song while rhythmically shaking several dozen feathers that emanate from her shoulders. Actresses today may be more versatile, but not one single one of them could pull off this kind of stunt and get away with it, just watch them fail miserably on the yearly Red Carpet debacle.The print provided for this Uni DVD-Rom is absolutely stunning and worth every penny of its price. No extras, nor subtitles, however.

I think this is a really underated Detrich movie of the late thrities. She and gary Cooper are a wonderful couple, very sexy and funny together. The script is simple and clever. Her dresses are terrific are there are a few shots from the movie that have become iconic. This one isn't out on DVD and it's tough to find on VHS.

This was Marelene Dietrich's last money-making film for Paramount Studios during her original time as a contract player. She had just left Josef Von Sternberg, her mentor,(or he had left her) and the public was beginning to tire of her. In this film she seemed more relaxed, more at ease, and seemed to be having a lot of fun during this film, not to mention looking absolutely gorgeous in each costume. Gary Cooper, with whom Dietrich had made her American film debut in 'Morocco', was again her co-star, and again the chemistry worked. This had to be one of the most beautiful couples ever rendered in black-and-white film.The story and plot centers around a stolen and then lost strand of pearls, and Dietrich's(the thief) efforts to get them back from an innocent man(Cooper), on whose person she hid them in order to escape. All works well in her plan until she finds herself falling in love with him, and he with her. There's alwayssomething to mess up every well-laid plan, eh?Anyway, this film greatly benefits from the producer, Ernst Lubitsh, and his famed "Touch". there is a lot of real, adult humour in this film without going ribald. Lots of excellant photography and gorgeous costume work, and Dietrich and Cooper being themselves. What more could you want?

Great video quality and ran really well for an old movie. The audio was also great.

Marlena at her best. Outrageous outfits, killer cars and sweet Spanish scenery. Gary Cooper at his goofiest. Great plot, and shot beautifully. If you like romantic comedy, this one is not to be missed. A rare gem from the thirties. PS: Marlena croons a little known torch song “Tonight is the Night.”

would not play on my machine.

Sophisticated late 30s era romantic comedy. No gut level rolling on the ground laughter. More considered and dialog driven smiles and grins. Still funny.The situation is more than a little contrived particularly when Marlene transfers the stolen goods then steals Gary's car.