Enter Arsène Lupin *** (1944, Charles Korvin, Ella Raines, J Carrol Naish, Gale Sondergaard, George Dolenz, Miles Mander, Leyland Hodgson) – Classic Movie Review 8678

Director Ford Beebe’s likeable and entertaining 1944 Universal Pictures black and white crime drama/ film noir thriller Enter Arsène Lupin stars Charles Korvin as the sophisticated Gallic gentleman jewel thief Arsène Lupin. Ella Raines is his leading lady, playing Stacie Kanares, a socialite with an emerald, which he promptly steals aboard the European transcontinental train to Turkey, and J Carrol Naish plays Inspector Ganimard, the police detective who wants to catch him.

There is quite a little bit of charm in the performances, but a lot of coincidence in the plot, though overall this well-produced little B-movie is quite diverting. Korvin is a bit cool, chilly and aloof as an actor, but his persona suits the role, Raines is particularly charming and Naish plays it up amusingly hammily. The estimable Gale Sondergaard adds further allure as Bessie Seagrave, a femme fatale type of lady up to no good, with other notable turns by Miles Mander as Charles Seagrave, George Dolenz as  Dubose and Leyland Hodgson as Constable Ryder.

Despite the title and open ending, both promising a series, no further episodes followed.

Also in the cast are Tom Pilkington, Lillian Bronson, Holmes Herbert, Charles LaTorre, Gerald Hamer, Ed Cooper, Art Foster, Clyde Kenny and Alphonse Martell.

Enter Arsène Lupin is directed by Ford Beebe, runs 72 minutes, is made and released by Universal Pictures, is written by Bertram Millhauser, based on the character by Maurice Leblanc, shot in black and white by Hal Mohr, is scored by Milton Rosen and is designed by John B Goodman.

John Barrymore played the role in Arsène Lupin in 1932 and Melvyn Douglas played him in Arsène Lupin Returns (1938) and later Robert Lamoureux played him in The Adventures of Arsène Lupin (1957).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8678

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