I Am a Thief (1934)

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

I never heard of this movie until I caught it today by accident on TCM. It was a total surprise - once I began watching, I couldn't leave til the finish. A short film (an hour), very fast paced and exciting. Extremely well-done. The plot was exceptionally clever - it really kept you guessing for moment to moment who the true criminals were. The second unit location photography in Paris, Laussane, and the Balkans was superb and so generously dispersed throughout the film that you really felt you were there. Robert Florey is a master of this type of movie, and his direction added a very elegant and sinister tone. Watch it - you'll love it. I hope it gets remake someday.

Well-done, fast-paced, slick, and fun mystery story about a pack of jewel thieves and assorted other characters aboard the Orient Express, all in hot pursuit of the famous "Karenina Diamonds". In Paris, the insurance companies are upset about the glut of jewel robberies happening in the city lately, so put up for auction the exquisite Karenina diamond necklace in hopes of luring out the thieves from hiding. Dealer Ricardo Cortez bids and wins the diamonds and is soon traveling by train to Istanbul with many others chasing him and, more importantly, chasing the prized jewels including smartly-dressed Mary Astor, a lady of mystery.Most of this film takes place aboard the train, in state rooms and dining car, with plot twists and turns that remind me of an early Hitchcock film. It also reminds me of an Agatha Christie style mystery story including gathering of all characters in the dining car for interrogation by smart police detective. This movie does not disappoint - with top-notch acting all-around and an interesting, suspenseful plot, this is really an excellent film.

The Istanbul Express is the setting for murder and mayhem by all those who want these beautiful diamonds. They will stop at nothing to get these diamonds and will use murder, insanity, careful and shrewd planning and imitation copies to get them. This is the time when elegance and mystery abounds in this classic film noir. There is a grouping of wonderful actors and actresses in this movie including Mary Astor, Ricardo Cortez, Dudley Diggs and Florence Fair. If you like Mary Astor, then check out this enjoyable murder mystery. She is at her witty best here especially when her pretty little neck is being threatened.

After several spectacular jewel thefts an international group of insurance underwriters plan to trap the culprits by following the buyer of the Karenina diamonds.Enter man of mystery,jewel dealer Ricardo Cortez who makes the purchase,leaves Paris on the Orient Express,and is followed by numerous people hoping to get their hands on the gems.The viewer must figure out just who is an actual thief/murderer or those who are on the side of the law in this delightfully fast-paced thriller.A trainload of wonderful Warner Brothers contract players(Mary Astor,Robert H.Barrat,John Wray,Irving Pichel,Dudley Digges,Ferdinand Gottschalk,etc.) and the always terrific direction of Robert Florey keep the suspense right on track.