Fay Cheney (Joan Crawford) is a thief. A gorgeous, sophisticated, elegant thief who knows her way around high society. Her partner in crime is Charles (William Powell). He's the one who took her from a shop-girl hungry for the good life, to a well-traveled lady with expensive tastes.
Fay and Charles have a rather elaborate plan to steal an expensive set of pearls belonging to an elderly Duchess somewhere in England. Faye will pose as an American heiress and ingratiate herself into the Duchess' circle in the hopes of getting an invitation to her country estate, where she can get her hands on the pearls. Charles will pose as her butler, and three others in "the gang" will pose as her household servants.
The plan starts coming together when Fay works her way into the company of a friend of the Duchess, Lord Kelton (Frank Morgan), on a cruise ship. She also catches the eye of the Duchess' nephew Arthur Dilling (Robert Montgomery). Once on shore she becomes the darling of the Duchess' social circle, and eventually gets that invite.
But Fay starts getting emotionally attached to the people she's supposed to rob. She is also being pursued by Arthur and Lord Kelting. Both are fabulously wealthy and if she chose one for marriage, she'd never have to work another day in her life.
Things are further complicated when Arthur thinks he may recognize Charles from somewhere.
This is a fabulous film. The story is engaging, the dialog is clever, and the ending is a surprise.
It's also got all of those things you look for in a 1930's film ... Glamourous settings with beautiful rich people in gorgeous clothes.
Pure escapism!
Highly Recommended!
Fay and Charles have a rather elaborate plan to steal an expensive set of pearls belonging to an elderly Duchess somewhere in England. Faye will pose as an American heiress and ingratiate herself into the Duchess' circle in the hopes of getting an invitation to her country estate, where she can get her hands on the pearls. Charles will pose as her butler, and three others in "the gang" will pose as her household servants.
The plan starts coming together when Fay works her way into the company of a friend of the Duchess, Lord Kelton (Frank Morgan), on a cruise ship. She also catches the eye of the Duchess' nephew Arthur Dilling (Robert Montgomery). Once on shore she becomes the darling of the Duchess' social circle, and eventually gets that invite.
But Fay starts getting emotionally attached to the people she's supposed to rob. She is also being pursued by Arthur and Lord Kelting. Both are fabulously wealthy and if she chose one for marriage, she'd never have to work another day in her life.
Things are further complicated when Arthur thinks he may recognize Charles from somewhere.
This is a fabulous film. The story is engaging, the dialog is clever, and the ending is a surprise.
It's also got all of those things you look for in a 1930's film ... Glamourous settings with beautiful rich people in gorgeous clothes.
Pure escapism!
Highly Recommended!