Stolen Holiday (1937)
Directed by Michael Curtiz

Film Review

One of the most notorious political-financial scandals of all time is skilfully portrayed in this early film from Michael Curtiz, famously the directors of such Hollywood classics as Captain Blood (1935), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Casablanca (1942).  The scandal was orchestrated by the insanely ambitious fraudster Serge Alexandre Stavisky, whose criminal activities in the early 1930s implicated a wide spectrum of important society figures (politicians, financiers, police chiefs, etc.).  The collapse of Stavisky's investment bubble resulted in high profile arrests and riots on the streets of Paris, and it was this, along with speculation over his demise (which was thought to have been a fake suicide instigated by the government) which led to the resignation of French prime minister Camille Chautemps and very nearly toppled the Third Republic.  Stolen Holiday covers these momentous events with surprising accuracy, changing only the names of the characters involved in the drama.  Little wonder the film was never released in France.   It would be another four decades before a French filmmaker was minded to revisit this turbulent page in French history - Alain Resnais with Stavisky (1974).

With no political axe to grind, Curtiz is able to focus on the human dimension of Stavisky's tragic story, and he does so with his customary flair, aided and abetted by some superlative acting talent.  Claude Rains is perfectly cast as the smoother-than-Teflon crooked financier Stavisky (here named Orloff), exuding charm from every pore as he manipulates and deceives all who fall under his spell (including the audience).  Kay Francis is stunning as his protégée and unwitting partner in crime, the Trilby to Rains' Svengali.  Ian Hunter makes a suitable contrast to Rains, a likeable good guy who lacks the latter's charisma and powers of seduction, whilst a magnificent Alison Skipworth almost steals the film with her comedy grotesque, Nicole's fortune-telling sidekick.  The performances are as flawless and compelling as in any other Michael Curtiz film, although we never lose sight of wider human tragedy resulting from Stavisky's criminal exploits - this is driven home by a spectacular riot sequence at the film's dramatic climax.  Stolen Holiday may not have enjoyed the longevity and fame of Curtiz's other great films of this era, but it is well-worth watching, if only to savour the delectable rapport between Rains and his gorgeous co-star.

Film Synopsis

In the early 1930s, Nicole Picot works as a model for a Paris fashion house.  One day, she is selected by Stefan Orloff to pose as his wife at a dinner date so that he can persuade a wealthy investor that he is well up in French society.  The scam works and in no time Orloff becomes a hugely successful financier.  He rewards Nicole by supplying her with the wherewithal to start her own couturier business.  Unbeknown to Nicole, Orloff's success is founded on corruption and deceit and it is not long before the house of cards begins to collapse.  As his latest fraud is exposed, Orloff faces arrest, along with some prominent members of French society.  To save his reputation and buy himself some time, Orloff persuades Nicole to marry him, even though she has fallen in love with another man, a British diplomat named Anthony Wayne.  As disgruntled investors start to riot in the streets, Orloff takes flight with his new bride, but justice soon catches up with him...