Arsène Lupin

1932
Approved
1h 24m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A detective is tasked to capture an elusive thief called Arsene Lupin.A detective is tasked to capture an elusive thief called Arsene Lupin.A detective is tasked to capture an elusive thief called Arsene Lupin.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

1.4K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Top cast38

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John Barrymore

Duke of Charmerace

Lionel Barrymore

Guerchard

Karen Morley

Sonia

John Miljan

Prefect of Police

Tully Marshall

Gaston Gourney-Martin

Henry Armetta

Sheriff's Man

George Davis

Sheriff's Man

John Davidson

Gourney-Martin's Butler

James T. Mack

Laurent
(as James Mack)

Mary Jane Irving

Marie

Mischa Auer

Louvre Tour Guide
(uncredited)

Symona Boniface

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Jack Byron

Louvre Guard
(uncredited)

Oliver Cross

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Jack Deery

Gendarme
(uncredited)

Claire Du Brey

Mother at the Louvre
(uncredited)

Geraldine Dvorak

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Christian J. Frank

Detective
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Although not often discussed among the most daring pre-Code titles, this film features one of the most ribald sequences of the genre - the scene in which the Duke of Charmerace (John Barrymore) finds Sonia (Karen Morley) stark naked in his bed as a well-attended house party swirls on the floor below. After a charming, lewd exchange, the scene ends with the Duke dowsing the lights and helping Sonia put her gown on, with only their voices heard on a pitch-black screen.

Goofs
Lupin steals the Mona Lisa by wrapping the canvas around his umbrella. The Mona Lisa is painted on a wood panel.

Quotes
Arsène Lupin: [fetching Sonia's evening gown from the maid and holding it up to admire it] Well, here we are. It's very nice! It's a little naughty. It's very ni - Do you think your father the general would approve of this?
Sonia: My father the general always said that a gentleman was a man who never went to bed with his spurs on.
Arsène Lupin: Isn't that a pity. I'm so fond of horses. I could give up riding...?
Sonia: Give me that dress!
Arsène Lupin: You can't get into it alone
Sonia: The maid will help me.
Arsène Lupin: The maid? I know more about unhooking than any maid in Paris.
Sonia: Yes, but I want this one hooked.
[she reaches for the dress, which he holds out of reach]
Sonia: I'm going to stay right here in this bed until you leave this room!
[Chamerace walks over to the window and prepares to toss out the dress]
Sonia: What are you doing?
Arsène Lupin: Well, if you're going to stay in bed you won't need the dress.

Crazy credits
The opening title doesn't list the Barrymores separately, but instead as a pair, "John and Lionel Barrymore."

Connections
Featured in Biography: The Barrymores (2002)

Soundtracks
The Same As We Used To Do
(uncredited)
Written by Jimmy Campbell and Reginald Connelly

User reviews25

Review

Featured review

7/10

Barrymore brothers co-star in detective story

A remake of the 1916 silent film, based on the 1909 novel by Maurice Leblanc. The detective series would be made into numerous plays, films and TV series in the UK, the US, and France over the years. This 1932 version starred the smashing Barrymore brothers John (as the Duke) and Lionel (as Detective Guerchard). They would also star together in Grand Hotel, Dinner at Eight, and several others over the next couple years. Sonia (Karen Morley) shows up in the Duke's bed during a party in this pre-Hayes code film; first the lights go out in the bedroom, then they go out in the main ballroom, then the search is on for the crook and the missing jewelry, as well as other missing valuables... You can tell talkies hadn't been around too long, as they still use caption cards several times. Also watch for a new kind of safe that doesn't need a combination. Well-thought- out plot, no big holes, but no big surprises here either. Not bad for an early talkie film. Clever ending.