Desire

DESIRE (Paramount, 1936), directed by Frank Borzage, introduces Marlene Dietrich into the genre of comedy, not so much in a sense of screwball or slapstick, but that of sophisticated comedy in the style of director Ernst Lubitsch, who also produced. Teamed opposite Gary Cooper for the first time since MOROCCO (1930), he and Dietrich are at their best here in what proved to be their final collaboration on screen.

Cooper plays Tom Bradley, an engineer from Detroit, Michigan, assigned in a Paris-based auto company, who's determined to take his long-awaited vacation in Spain, regardless of how Mr. Gibson (William Frawley), his employer, might feel about it. Gibson (William Frawley), president of Bronson 8, however, surprises Bradley by approving his vacation by loaning him the company car carrying a sign which reads, "I am happy to drive a Bronson 8" as advertisement. Marlene Dietrich is later introduced as Madeleine de Beaupre, a continental jewel thief who cleverly gains possession of a pearl necklace from Aristide Duval (Ernest Cossart), a Parisian jeweler by posing as the wife of the famed psychiatrist, Doctor Maurice Pauquet (Alan Mowbray). Her path with Tom soon meets as they head to the border and await for customs to inspect their belongings. After Madeleine places her stolen pearls in Tom's coat pocket, they each pass inspection and go on their way. Purposely disabling her car, Madeleine is soon picked up by Tom and becomes his prize passenger. Eventually she drives off with his car, leaving him stranded on the road, unaware that Tom still unwittingly has the pearl necklace on his person. Abandoning the car after realizing her error, their paths meet again at the San Sebastian Continental Palace where Madeleine, posing as a Countess accompanied by her "uncle," Prince Carlos Margoli (John Halliday), her confederate, uses their friendly persuasion to get back the pearls without arousing any suspicion. When things become more complicated, Aunt Olga (Zeffie Tilbury), a third member of the gang of thieves, enters the scene.

For his profile on the film, Bob Osborne, host of Turner Classic Movies where DESIRE premiered January 17, 2002, as part of the station's tribute to Marlene Dietrich, spoke about its production and original title being THE PEARL NECKLACE as more suitable than DESIRE, and rightfully so. It's interesting to point out that its title may stir up some confusion with another film of similar name, DESIRABLE (Warners, 1934) that also featured DESIRE co-star, John Halliday. Halliday, as stated, filled in for former MGM lead actor, John Gilbert, following his sudden death in January 1936. What a missed opportunity for Gilbert in a supporting role as Carlos, which might have proved favorable, though quite unlikely as one posing as Madeleine's uncle. Seen in a smaller role is Akim Tamiroff playing the police official, who would achieve recognition in another Cooper film that same year, THE GENERAL DIED AT DAWN (1936).

Regardless of frequent revivals on commercial television back in the 1970s and public TV during the 1980s, DESIRE is quite underrated and nearly forgotten by today's standards. For being such an enjoyable adventure heist comedy from start to finish highlighted by many witty lines and situations, it's understandable why DESIRE is often mistaken as full fledged film directed by Lubitsch comedy rather than Borzage, best known for love stories with sentimental appeal. There may be some romance going on between the characters enacted by Dietrich and Cooper, but no sentimentality involved. In her attempt in retrieving her stolen pearls, Dietrich does take time out to recite the film's theme song, "Awake in a Dream" composed by Frederick Hollander and Leo Robin. And be sure not to miss the film's conclusion. It's as priceless as the pearl necklace itself. (***1/2 pearls)

This is one of those films that I had heard of and never thought it would be this good.The second teaming of Gary Cooper and Marlene Dietrich, six years after "Morocco", is a sheer delight.They have a beautiful chemistry in this movie.She is alluring and mysterious,and he is the naive but charming American everyman.This is perhaps the first time Cooper used this screen persona,which he did so well in later comedies.There are two hilarious supporting performances by Alan Mowbray and Ernest Cossart as Dietrich's easy victims of the jewel theft.This comedy is what I would call sophisticated,elegant and witty. Here we have Cooper and Dietrich at their best and watch them having fun together.

The first part will puzzle Borzage's fans because it's not his usual style:it's a comedy and the fans of "little man what now?" "no greater glory" or "lucky star" may not get something out of it.Not that Borzage had not broached comedy before:one of his first talkies was "they had to see Paris" ,a sometimes ponderous satire of American naiveté in France,a country Borzage particularly loved (see "Seventh heaven" or "hearts divided" .

"Desire" begins in France with a nice shot of "les Toits Sous Le Ciel De Paris".The scenes between the jeweler and the shrink are sheer genius and have inspired since many screenwriters.Gary Cooper as the naive (not so naive anyway) American and Marlene Dietrich as the elegant glamor false countess make an ideal pairing:he is hot,joyful,singing and she is cold ,remote,suave and there is a special chemistry between them (there are other ladies with whom Cooper was particularly brilliant:two good examples are found in "unconquered" with Paulette Godard and "cloak and dagger" with Lili Palmer,another German actress ) This is also the movie where you 'll find the longest honk in the history of cinema.The only movie where they're talking international politics without being political.Towards the end ,the movie almost turns dramatic ,notably when aunt Olga tells Dietrich about love which is more valuable when it remains impossible.

This is not among my favorite Borzage (considering " three comrades" "mortal storm" and "strange cargo" were still to come) but it's really much fun to watch and it is to be recommended .

Directed by Frank Borzage and produced by Ernest Lubitch, that alone is a guarantee of something very special. On top of that, Gary Cooper and Marlene Dietrich in a fast, furious, magical duet. He is a charming Forrest Gump on vacation, she is a born seductress, a jewel thief, a woman on the verge of being beyond redemption. The dialog could have been written today even their talk about war. The camera had a real love affair with Cooper and Dietrich. Their feelings so visible. He in love like a school boy and she discovering him and herself, bit by bit. There are moments of Dietrich staring at Cooper that are a masterpiece on their own right. She is seeing something she has never seen before - innocence at its purest state. Don't miss it.

if you liked Lubitsch's Trouble in Paradise, this is a lesser but still quite enjoyable version. Directed by Borzage and produced by Lubitsch, it is difficult to find but features a marvelous Dietrich and adorable Coop. The opening scenes quickly show you why Paris by Paramount was often considered better than Paris as itself. Charming lines like 'I'm going to put my hand in your pocket' were clever ways to overcome the Hays era constraints. The elegance of the era is well presented here combined with the straight up-ness of the 'good American' culture. There are also poignant references to the oncoming WWII through lines like 'Don't underestimate America, it's a big country', quite prescient since this was still 1936. If you like American Romantic Comedy of the 30's, you will enjoy this film...a shame they don't make 'em like this anymore.