A Scandal in Paris

In the 1940s, smooth George Sanders was equally at home playing suave heroes (The Saint) and caddish baddies (Rebecca), and he channels both in this elegant, light-hearted period adventure. The third Hollywood picture from Douglas Sirk, director of classic 50s melodramas Magnificent Obsession and Written on the Wind, this is set in Napoleon-era France and chronicles the escapades of real-life rogue-about-town François Vidocq (Sanders). Armed with a sardonic wit, Sanders's wily jailbird escapes and inveigles his way into the upper echelons of society in order to steal valuable gems. Better known as a character actor, Sanders gives an appealing star performance here, whether planning an elaborate Paris heist or charming his two leading ladies, Signe Hasso and Carole Landis. There are also enjoyable turns from Akim Tamiroff as Vidocq's knife-wielding sidekick, and Gene Lockhart as a cuckolded chief of police.