I wanted to but couldn't!

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

This is a delightful Ernst Lubitsch comedy romance, and the second of two films in which Dietrich and Cooper were co-starred. Frank Borzage is listed as director but producer Lubitsch has the signs of his sly romantic comedy all over this film.This was an important film in both stars' careers. It was important for Marlene because this was her first feature film released after ending her association with director Josef Von Sternberg. And this polished, light, breezy affair couldn't be more of a contrast to her previous outings with that director, with Dietrich demonstrating a droll ability with sophisticated comedy. It was an important film for Cooper, too (though Mr. Deeds Goes to Town was just around the corner for him, a film with a bigger impact upon his career). Cooper, though, showed that he, too, could play screen humor very well here, with, in my opinion, one of his most engaging and personable performances. The subtle skill of Cooper's humorous performance, in fact, may surprise those who think of him mainly as a tight lipped western star.The plot involves Coop as an innocent abroad American on vacation in France when he encounters Dietrich on the road (literally). She is beautiful and sophisticated. He is smitten, of course, but doesn't realize that the charming lady is also a jewel thief. I'll stop there, except to say that that this film is a polished delight, and the two stars have great chemistry.One aside- John Gilbert, Dietrich's current lover, had been slated for the role of Deitrich's suave cohort in crime. However, the role went to John Halliday instead. Deitrich had helped Gilbert stop drinking, but losing the role and news of Deitrich's affair with Cooper caused Gilbert to hit the sauce hard once again and he was soon dead of a heart attack. The role could have been a game changer for Gilbert. Too bad we shall never know.

Tom (Gary Cooper) encounters Madeleine (Marlene Dietrich) on his way to holiday in Spain. Unknown to him is the fact that she has just stolen $2 worth of pearls and is trying to smuggle them into Spain. She slips the pearls into his jacket pocket without him noticing so she can avoid the customs search. However, he takes off his jacket and packs it into his suitcase forcing her to stick with him until a moment arises where she can get the pearls back. Things don't work out as planned for her as when they part company, Tom still has possession of the pearls. Her partner in crime Carlos (John Halliday) is not happy with her when Tom suddenly shows up again. However, Madeleine is romantically won over by Tom, who is still unaware that he is carrying the valuable pearls, and this changes her plans.....The film has a good cast with a special mention for Zeffie Tilbury as "Aunt Olga" who turns up late in the film - an old, frail lady on the outside but a cold, emotionless criminal at heart. She advises Madeleine to forget about love - it is much better to have the memory. There are many good scenes, eg, the end scene at dinner when Tom gradually reveals to Carlos what he knows about the theft, the beginning scene when Madeleine is carrying out her scam, the scene at customs on the border of Spain where we are unsure of who is going to get busted and how, etc. The story gets going from the outset and is played with humour. Cooper is funny as the salesman, eg, when he discusses which is the better word - "delighted" or "glad" - to his boss before he goes on holiday. The good cast keep the story going but unfortunately, the ending lets things down a bit. It's far too goody-goody.

First, I give kudos to both the camera man as well as the makeup artists. They did an exceptional job in presenting Ms. Dietrich--she's as pretty as I've ever seen her in a film. While I have never been a fan of her work and never found her particularly attractive, they make the absolute most of what she's got in this film. She did appear appropriately tantalizing and her acting was excellent. Maybe I need to see a few more of her films so I might re-appraise her work.The plot is very hard to believe--not so much as having Dietrich play a jewel thief, but that she would steal and destroy Gary Cooper's car and he wouldn't be a lot more angry about it! In fact, soon they are both head-over-heels in love!! I remember the last time some lady hit my car (she didn't even steal it)--I was much more likely to punch the lady in the nose than fall her her! Oh well, that's Hollywood of the 1930s. If you suspend disbelief about this, the rest of the film is a very entertaining romance. Plus, the end of the film will surely satisfy everyone. It's a very good effort only hampered by a few difficult to swallow story devices.

Maybe some of the others have viewed a different film, or neglect the fact that this was filmed over 60 years ago. To me this is a brilliant movie --- at times witty, exciting, sensual and altogether satisfying. Dietrich and Cooper, how promising (again) and Borzage, sophisticated and classy, who could ask for more?