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F.B.I. agent Steve Emerson's exploits in
capturing criminals lead to so much publicity and photographs in the
newspapers that his boss finally tells him that he can no longer operate
effectively. Taking the loss of his job philosophically, Steve decides
to become a private detective, but his career almost ends there too when his
first client is tied up and robbed just before their appointment. As
it turns out, the Count de Grissac, his niece Lorraine, and cousin George
Bouchet were bound needlessly as the criminal stole a paste imitation of the
famous de Grissac emerald necklace.
Steve is intrigued, however, when he finds a
card with the name "Arsène Lupin" written on it and discovers that a bullet
found in the wall comes from the type of gun used by the notorious and
presumed dead French jewel thief Arsène Lupin.
The de Grissacs return to France, accompanied by
Bouchet and Steve, and are met by Rene Farrand, Lorraine's fiancée. Steve,
who is attracted to Lorraine, is jealous of Rene, and also suspects him, but
needs to find more proof to corroborate his hunch. Rene, actually the
retired Lupin, did not steal the fake necklace, but must now try to find the
real thief with the aid of two old pals, Joe Doyle and Alf, who come to see
him, mistakenly thinking that he is no longer "going straight."
After other attempts to steal the real necklace,
and after Steve and Rene play a cat-and-mouse game with the Prefect of
Police, Bouchet turns out to be the real thief. Overwhelmed by
gambling debts, Bouchet used Lupin's techniques to steal the jewels, then
attempted to fence the necklace with Papa Monelle but killed him after
Monelle discovered that Bouchet gave him the fake.
Rene traps Bouchet by covering the de Grissac
safe with lipstick, thus leaving the identifying red stains on Bouchet's
gloves and neck when he tries again to steal the real necklace.
Certain that Rene is Lupin, Steve now asks for his "autograph," but tears it
up after Rene signs Lupin's name, realizing that Rene is an honest man and
the thief Lupin will remain dead. Rene then tells Lorraine that Steve
is the only man who has an open invitation to visit them after they are
married.
American Film Institute
Catalog
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