I Was an Adventuress (1940)

A pair of crooks (von Stroheim and Lorre) use a phony countess (Zorina) who winds up falling in love with one of their victims (Greene).

Director:

Gregory Ratoff

Writers:

Karl Tunberg (screenplay), Don Ettlinger (screenplay),

Stars:

Vera Zorina, Richard Greene, Erich von Stroheim

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vera Zorina	...	Countess Tanya Vronsky (as Zorina)
Richard Greene	...	Paul Vernay
Erich von Stroheim	...	Andre Desormeaux (as Erich Von Stroheim)
Peter Lorre	...	Polo
Sig Ruman	...	Herr Protz (as Sig Rumann)
Fritz Feld	...	Henri Gautier
Cora Witherspoon	...	Aunt Cecile
Anthony Kemble-Cooper	...	Cousin Emil (as Anthony Kemple Cooper)
Paul Porcasi	...	Fisherman
Inez Palange	...	Fisherman's Wife
Egon Brecher	...	Jacques Dubois
Roger Imhof	...	Henrich Von Kongen
Rolfe Sedan	...	Waiter
Eddie Conrad	...	Waiter
Fortunio Bonanova	...	Orchestra Leader

Storyline

Andre Desormeaux, master con artist and jewel thief, has been very successful with his partners, light-fingered Polo and beautiful lure "Countess" Tanya Vronsky. But Tanya falls in love with one of their victims, resigns from the team, and (despite Andre's warning) marries rich young Paul Vernay...for love. Inevitably, Andre and Polo reappear in her life. Can Tanya outwit the master schemer?

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Plot Keywords:

countess | con artist | thief | paris france | ballerina | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

10 May 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Sedutora Aventureira

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Electrician Jack Lorenz was killed when he fell from a 30-foot high catwalk while lighting a scene for the film.

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Connections

Remake of J'étais une aventurière (1938)

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Soundtracks

"Swan Lake, Op.20"
(1877) (uncredited)
Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Excerpts played at the ballet and danced by Vera Zorina, Lew Christensen and Charles Laskey

User Reviews

Slight and very familiar but also quite enjoyable.

This film stars Vera Zorina and since she was once an accomplished ballerina, several dance numbers and an allusion to "Swan Lake" was inserted into the film. I'd love to make some humorous comment about a stunt dancer now claiming credit for all this, but Ms. Zorina was a world-famous dancer before she became an actress.

This film is set in a weird Europe--one where there is no war at all--even though it came out in 1940--during the German occupation of France, the Battle of Britain and Mussolini--none of which are even mentioned in the movie! Zorina, Erich von Stroheim and Peter Lorre (all three who had strong Germanic roots) are a team of swindlers who prowl the hot-spots of Europe ripping off unsuspecting members of the upper class. However, when Zorina meets sweet Richard Greene, she falls instantly in love and can't continue her wicked ways. She reforms and they soon marry--though she never tells him about her very sordid past. So, when her old 'comrades' show up some time later, she's afraid to say anything--though she knows von Stroheim and Lorre are up to no good.

This is a somewhat familiar theme for Hollywood. With films like "Lady Eve", "Jewel Robbery" and "Trouble in Paradise" (just to name a few), it's obvious the public had a great fascination with these 'lady or gentleman criminal' movies. Here, like these other films, there is some comedy and some romance--and the ending is rather predictable as it follows a familiar pattern. Compared to these other films, "I Was An Adventuress", it's about average--not as good as some and a bit better than others. I liked the actors--they were all pretty good choices. The script was decent---not outstanding or as sweet as "Trouble in Paradise" or "Lady Eve"--but still pretty good. Overall, it's worth watching and a nice time-passer.