A jewel thief, an engineer, and the 1936 romantic comedy that defied its genre
In short: In the 1936 film Desire, a glamorous con artist steals a fortune in pearls, only to find her plans derailed by an American engineer. Directed by Frank Borzage and produced by Ernst Lubitsch, this romantic crime comedy became a critical and commercial success, showcasing a rare, sparkling chemistry between its leads.
The plot of Desire follows the sophisticated Madeleine de Beaupre, played by Marlene Dietrich, who orchestrates a complex heist to secure a string of pearls from a Parisian jeweler. By manipulating two men into believing they are her husband, she successfully absconds with the jewels. Her escape is interrupted by Tom Bradley, an American automotive engineer portrayed by Gary Cooper, who becomes an unwitting accomplice when Madeleine hides the stolen pearls in his jacket pocket to evade customs officers.
What follows is a classic cat-and-mouse game that shifts from the French countryside to San Sebastián. Despite her criminal intentions, Madeleine finds herself falling for the earnest Bradley. The film explores the tension between her life as a thief and her desire for a future with him, eventually leading to a confrontation with her accomplice, the faux Prince Carlos Margoli. The narrative concludes with a surprising turn of events involving a marriage license and the unexpected intervention of the authorities.
Behind the scenes, the production was marked by both creative collaboration and tragedy. While Frank Borzage served as the primary director, Ernst Lubitsch also contributed to the direction during Borzage's temporary absence. The film was notable for its location shooting in France and Spain, a rarity for the era. The production was also marred by the death of John Gilbert, who was initially cast as Carlos Margoli; he suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after beginning work on the project.
Upon its release in 1936, the film received significant praise from critics. Graham Greene, writing for The Spectator, lauded it as the finest performance Dietrich had delivered since leaving Germany. Similarly, the New York Post noted that while the plot was conventional, the film remained alive and inspired through the deft performances of its leads. It stands as a testament to the idea that a strong script and superb roles can elevate a film beyond the sum of its parts.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Desire (1936 film)
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