As some announcer would dramatically proclaim on the soap operas, "The role of Arsene Lupin is now being played by Melvyn Douglas", although the previous film (starring John Barrymore) had been released some six years before. That remains a classic, while the sequel is regarded by fans as a worthy follow-up, and in my opinion, worthy of the original if not just a bit plot heavy and somewhat forced.
It's still a very stylish film, fun to watch, and overloaded with some of the best character actors of the 30's. The film opens with the speculation that Lupin is not dead like earlier reported. It's confusing to see both Douglas and Warren William billed above the title as William easily could have played Rene Farrand (Lupin's real name; he uses the alias on memos to the law and his victims indicating his presence), but the presence of William as the detective creates more of a cat and mouse game than John had with brother Lionel whose detective was a bit of a buffoon. You can tell that they are enjoying the challenge.
The lovely Virginia Bruce is off the top of the cake in Ziegfeld's Follies and now Farrand/Lupin's beautiful love interest, looking fabulous in Dolly Tree's gowns, and perfectly paired with both Douglas and William. George Zucco, Nat Pendleton and Monty Woolley stand out in the supporting cast. It's a good A picture that could have spawned a few follow-ups, but it would be another six years before Arsene Lupin entered.
It's still a very stylish film, fun to watch, and overloaded with some of the best character actors of the 30's. The film opens with the speculation that Lupin is not dead like earlier reported. It's confusing to see both Douglas and Warren William billed above the title as William easily could have played Rene Farrand (Lupin's real name; he uses the alias on memos to the law and his victims indicating his presence), but the presence of William as the detective creates more of a cat and mouse game than John had with brother Lionel whose detective was a bit of a buffoon. You can tell that they are enjoying the challenge.
The lovely Virginia Bruce is off the top of the cake in Ziegfeld's Follies and now Farrand/Lupin's beautiful love interest, looking fabulous in Dolly Tree's gowns, and perfectly paired with both Douglas and William. George Zucco, Nat Pendleton and Monty Woolley stand out in the supporting cast. It's a good A picture that could have spawned a few follow-ups, but it would be another six years before Arsene Lupin entered.