Pretty good thick-ear, based on the true life exploits of master jewel thief Gerard Dennis. Seems Dennis has an eye for beautiful things, both women and big-time gemstones, and doesn't much care how he goes about getting them. Actor Brian looks the womanizing part with enough smiling charm to access society's higher reaches where fancy baubles suddenly disappear, while he just keeps smiling. And why not, since some of Hollywood's classiest looking dames—deWit, Talton, Chandler—fall for him in short order. But, as we were all taught by old movies like this one, crime doesn't pay, at least for some people.
I like the way director Godfrey keeps things moving, especially that nail-biting 'human fly' sequence. Also, the screenplay manages a few minor surprises, thanks to ace scripter Borden Chase, whose real life exploits give him inside exposure to crime and criminals (check out his rather surprising bio). Heck, the script even has Dennis trying to pick up cheap blonde Cleo Moore while his wife looks on, in a nifty little sequence. However, I think the material would have worked better as noir instead of less expressive docu-drama. In fact, the film has an overall drab look, unbefitting the sometimes sumptuous surroundings and the strong narrative drama.
Nonetheless, for an obscure programmer, the movie is fast moving and better than average.
I like the way director Godfrey keeps things moving, especially that nail-biting 'human fly' sequence. Also, the screenplay manages a few minor surprises, thanks to ace scripter Borden Chase, whose real life exploits give him inside exposure to crime and criminals (check out his rather surprising bio). Heck, the script even has Dennis trying to pick up cheap blonde Cleo Moore while his wife looks on, in a nifty little sequence. However, I think the material would have worked better as noir instead of less expressive docu-drama. In fact, the film has an overall drab look, unbefitting the sometimes sumptuous surroundings and the strong narrative drama.
Nonetheless, for an obscure programmer, the movie is fast moving and better than average.