A Scandal in Paris

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A Scandal in Paris

1946

1h 40m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

75%

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8 Reviews

61%

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250+ Ratings

In 1805 Paris, petty criminal and lothario Eugene-Francois Vidocq (George Sanders) and his cellmate escape from prison. Pretending to be soldiers, they travel to Marseilles where attractive young singer Loretta (Carole Landis) and her jewels tempt them. Vidocq then meets a marquise and plots to steal her stash of jewels. With the help of the minister of police's daughter, Therese (Signe Hasso), Vidoqc finds himself unexpectedly replacing the police chief and reconsidering his ways.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

With a display of suave images and wry performances, Sirk delights in the elegant formalities that withhold judgment in favor of pleasure and knowledge.

Dec 28, 2015

Full Review

Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

It's probably safe to say that the earnest A Scandal in Paris won't ever approach the level of acceptance accorded to All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life.

Aug 13, 2003

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Jeremy Aspinall

Radio Times

Sanders gives an appealing star performance here.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 6, 2022

Full Review

Austin Trunick

Under the Radar

This is certainly a lesser Sirk work, relying little on his signature nuance and subtext and instead playing it broad for the cheap seats with slapstick and gimmicks such as a trained monkey and a cringe-inducingly cute kid sister.

Feb 28, 2017

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

[UPDATED 2025 REVIEW] A Scandal in Paris goes heavy on the comedy, light on the drama, and all-out on the entertainment.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 17, 2016

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Never gets to the comic effects it reaches for.

Rated: C+

Mar 10, 2007

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Steve D

Really dull given its fascinating subject and focused on the least interesting aspects of his life.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/03/23

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Audience Member

Douglas Sirk was still establishing himself in Hollywood when he made this smart little film about a charming con man, the great George Sanders, who's life of crime comes to a crossroads when he meets a beautiful young lady who idolizes him. I still prefer Sirk's melodramas he made with producer Ross Hunter, but this film felt like a bit of a prototype for those types of melodramas even with the costume and biographical trappings. Though Sirk's direction is quite good, it's Sanders who really steals the show and makes this film something special.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

George Sanders is very witty

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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s r

A compelling story about a Casanova thief. Landis is beautiful.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

"I've got you, Satan." Bonapartism (i.e. bourgeois/capitalist dictatorship) turning criminals into soldiers and police officers (into the chief of police!--and turning the chief of police into a murderer). Compare with Trouble in Paradise and/or A Clockwork Orange.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

great role for george sanders as a ne'er do well casanova who goes from master thief to police chief in napoleonic paris

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

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Douglas Sirk

Director

George Sanders

Vidocq

Signe Hasso

Therese

Carole Landis

Loretta

Akim Tamiroff

Emile

Gene Lockhart

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Synopsis

In 1805 Paris, petty criminal and lothario Eugene-Francois Vidocq (George Sanders) and his cellmate escape from prison. Pretending to be soldiers, they travel to Marseilles where attractive young singer Loretta (Carole Landis) and her jewels tempt them. Vidocq then meets a marquise and plots to steal her stash of jewels. With the help of the minister of police's daughter, Therese (Signe Hasso), Vidoqc finds himself unexpectedly replacing the police chief and reconsidering his ways.

Director: Douglas Sirk
Screenwriter: Ellis St. Joseph
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Arnold Pressburger Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 9, 1946, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 4, 2016
Runtime: 1h 40m

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