"Desire" (1936) Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich.

We were fortunate to be able to purchase this from a video store that was going out of business. Regrettably, we've not be able to find it at www.moviesunlimited.com which is where we purchase our movies.

This movie has so many things going for it that it's a pleasure to watch, watch, and watch again. The plot revolves around an American automobile engineer, Tom Bradley (Cooper), who is currently working in Paris but is being transferred back to Detroit. Before he goes home, he heads out for two weeks in Spain with dreams of lovely señoritas at a bullfight: "while I'm watching the bulls, she'll be watching me!"

At the same time, an unprecedented jewel robbery is underway. The glamorous thief: Madeleine de Beaupre (Dietrich). The complex details of the theft is enough to give anyone an ulcer but because of her beauty and poise, she successfully relieves the jeweler of his 2.2 millon franc necklace. Then the chase is on.

As she makes her escape to Spain, her path crosses Bradley's several times and their subtle comedic performances draw the viewer into the story with them. The caper takes us from Paris to the border between France and Spain, to a San Sebastion luxury hotel, to a Spanish villa. All the while, details of her life slowly unfold revealing someone more frail than first appears. While Tom is immediately infatuated, Madeleine uses the bumbling American in whatever way she can only to find that she is unable to shake him. The more she tries, the more her defenses begin to slip away.

Important to the story line is the full circle of falling from grace, repentance, forgiveness, redemption as well as the truth of consequences.

As a jewelry designer and a devotée of fashions of the 1930's and 1940's, this movie is a treat. Miss Garbo's glamour is undeniable. The lighting is another star in this movie adding greatly to the mood of the story. Much is lost today because of color. The deep shadows define the mood as well as the forms.

One of the issues I have with this movie is that I don't think there are ready-to-develop darkrooms in the hotels of Spain. I chalk that up to artistic license. With each viewing I wonder what the original audience thought about that little piece.

Other characters include:

Dr. Maurice Pauquet (The Nerve Doctor) - Alan Mowbray

Aristide Duvalle (The Jeweler) - Ernest Cossart

Prince Margoli (part of the thievery) - John Halliday

Aunt Olga (part of the thievery) - Ziffie Tilbury

Mr. Gibson (Mr. Cooper's boss) - William Frawley

No detail is overlooked. From the amazing rare Duesenberg Supercharger (only a handful were made and the first was bought by Gary Cooper; the second by Clark Gable) that Miss Dietrich drives to Spain, to the lovely styles that adorn her shape. Being partial to Art Deco, this is eye candy for me. The luxury depicted here is elegant, not ostentatious.

Another bit of trivia is that Miss Dietrich was dating John Gilbert just before beginning this movie. He read for, and won, the role of Prince Margoli. Unfortunately he had a massive heart attack in his dressing room just before filming began and was replaced by John Halliday. Thus, his comeback was not to be and he died of heart failure shortly after his replacement.