Desire [Blu-ray]

Director: Frank Borzage Frank Borzage

Overview

In this frothy romantic adventure, Marlene Dietrich plays Madeleine de Beaupre, a devious jewel thief. After sneaking a valuable string of pearls away from jeweler Aristide Duval (Ernest Cossart), Madeleine attempts to flee Paris, leaving a trail that will instead implicate psychiatrist Dr. Pauquet (Alan Mowbray). While headed for the Spanish border, she nearly runs into Tom Bradley (Gary Cooper), an American auto engineer vacationing in Europe. Madeleine spots Tom again as she waits to go through Spanish Customs; worried that the stolen pearls will be found in her handbag, she slips them into Tom's pocket. After they both make their way through inspection unscathed, Madeleine flirts with Tom in an attempt to get the valuables back; he's too shy to respond in kind, so she gets his attention by trying to "repair" the engine of her car with a hammer. Madeleine lures Tom to the San Sebastian estate of her partner in crime, Carlos Margoli (John Halliday). It doesn't take long for Tom to figure out what Madeleine and Carlos are up to; however, he also knows that he's fallen in love with her, and he is willing to play along if it allows him to be near her. Carlos was originally to have been played by John Gilbert; Halliday was a last-minute replacement after the one-time silent screen star died a week before shooting was to begin.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/10/2021
UPC:	0738329254803
Original Release:	1936
Rating:	NR
Source:	Kl Studio Classics
Language:	English
Time:	1:35:00
Sales rank:	14,769

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Marlene Dietrich	Madeleine de Beaupre
Gary Cooper	Tom Bradley
John Halliday	Carlos Margoli
William Frawley	Mr. Gibson
Ernest Cossart	Aristide Duval
Akim Tamiroff	Police Official
Alan Mowbray	Dr. Edouard Pauquet
Zeffie Tilbury	Aunt Olga
Enrique Acosta	Pedro
Stanley Andrews	Customs Inspector
Harry Depp	Clerk
Marc Lawrence	Valet
Harry Antrim	Chauffeur
Armand Kaliz	Jewelry Clerk
Gaston Glass	Jewelry Clerk
Albert Pollet	French Policeman
Alden Chase	Hotel Clerk,Hotel Clerk
George Davis	Garage Man
Anna De Linsky	Servant
Constant Franke	Border Official
Robert Emmett O'Connor	Customs Official,Customs Official
Rafael Blanco	Haywagon Driver
Tony Merlo	Waiter
Alice Feliz	Pepi
George MacQuarrie	Clerk with Gun
Isabelle La Mal	Nurse
Oliver Eckhardt	Couple
Blanche Craig	Couple
Rollo Lloyd	Clerk in Mayor's Office
Alfonso Pedroza	Oxcart Driver

Technical Credits

Frank Borzage	Director
Ernst Lubitsch	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Style is everything in Desire, a sophisticated, elegant little jewel of a film. Directed by Frank Borzage with a light touch that brings to mind the work of its producer, Ernst Lubitsch, Desire's story is thin and often predictable, but it's told with such assurance and delight (as well as more than its fair share of witty repartee) that the flaws in the screenplay are easily forgiven. Borzage knows just how to treat this material, emphasizing the opportunities it allows his stars and building upon the chemistry that they generate -- which is considerable. Gary Cooper brings his unique brand of American innocence to the role but displays a deft touch with both the comedy and the romance, demonstrating that in the right role and with the right director he could play sophisticated comedy as well as anyone. Marlene Dietrich, looking stunning in her Travis Banton outfits, delivers a sterling performance, full of sensuality, innuendo, and amusement. Keeping step with the stars in large supporting roles are a suave John Halliday and an unwitting Alan Mowbray, and Zeffie Tilbury impresses in the small part of Aunt Olga. Desire is a charming, if slight, little film that's a "must see" for fans of its stars.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler