This intriguing film more features Richard Travis as the character I described above, discussing the first and violence in Beethoven's 5th symphony in the first scene, and searching for missing jewels once owned by Marie Antoinette in the next. This is an intelligently written thriller that takes him from the United States to Lisbon where he becomes involved with a group of Jewel smuggler who want to break down the necklace and sell the pieces of it individually. Travis becomes involved with two women, cabaret singer Micheline Cheirel and bar girl Carrol Thurston, a hot-tempered little senorita who threatens violence towards Travis for abandoning her on a previous trip. Travis finds all sorts of danger in the search for the gems and discover's mixed loyalties among the sordid characters he encounters.
The most loyal character he encounters is the 11 year old Fernando Alvarado, playing brother to Thurston who aids Travis in his search for the jewels by playing messenger and information collector, and in several situations, risking his life. I am surprised to discover how many films I had seen him in, usually in minor unbilled cards, but here, he is a major character and quite the charmer. Cheirel shows a mysterious demeanor as the sophisticated femme fatale who would sooner give her life then see something once owned by Marie Antoinette destroyed. It's enjoyable and fast-paced, yet lacks the real tension to make it a classic.
The most loyal character he encounters is the 11 year old Fernando Alvarado, playing brother to Thurston who aids Travis in his search for the jewels by playing messenger and information collector, and in several situations, risking his life. I am surprised to discover how many films I had seen him in, usually in minor unbilled cards, but here, he is a major character and quite the charmer. Cheirel shows a mysterious demeanor as the sophisticated femme fatale who would sooner give her life then see something once owned by Marie Antoinette destroyed. It's enjoyable and fast-paced, yet lacks the real tension to make it a classic.