During the filming of Rasputin and the Emperor, Lionel Barrymore kept calling the director from a phone booth, asking him to tell John Barrymore not to put his hand on Lionel's wrist as it stole focus. I guess you had to watch that John like a hawk.John is the Duke of Charmerace aka Arsene Lupin, and Lionel is the hapless Guerchard who is under great pressure to capture him, as he's stealing right and left. But the Duke keeps beating him every time.Arsene Lupin has a bigger goal than a few jewels - the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. What the script writers didn't realize is that you can't roll up the Mona Lisa, she was painted on wood. Karen Morley is on hand as someone Guerchard sends in to help capture Lupin.The entire film is very sophisticated with fun moments. John and Lionel are great and obviously having a good time.

Among the Barrymores, Lionel (1878-1954) was the oldest and my favorite, followed by Ethel (1879-1959) and then John (1882-1942). The 3 made only 1 film together (Rasputin) but John and Lionel made several, including Grand Hotel (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), and Night Flight (1933).Arsene Lupin was John's first film with Lionel and his first film for MGM. He has lost his chiseled good looks, put on a little weight, and the dissipation is only slightly in view, and in the next few years it would be more noticeable. Lionel's problems with arthritis are also slightly in view here, and also would worsen with time. Eventually he would perform in a wheelchair.The film itself is pretty poor, with a wandering plot and a lot of wasted time. Karen Morley gives an enchanting performance as the love interest.What I like best about this film is the relationship of John and Lionel. It shows them playing off one another and some true filial affection.

A cranky police detective suspects a French duke of being the infamous thief ARSÈNE LUPIN.John & Lionel Barrymore costarred together for the first time in a motion picture in this intriguing crime drama. Alike and yet so different, they are the perfect counterpoint to each other. John plays his role with suave sophistication (when not in disguise) and Lionel is earthy & common in his portrayal, each obviously having a wonderful time trying to out act the other. Helped by a generous script, the outcome is pretty much a draw, with the viewer the clear winner.Although upstaged by the two male stars, Karen Morley is intriguing as the mystery woman John finds naked in his bed. Tully Marshall gives a colorful performance as a silly nobleman with much to lose to the master criminal. Henry Armetta & George Davis are very enjoyable as two seriously inept security guards. John Miljan provides a sturdy presence in his small role as the police prefect.Movie mavens will recognize an uncredited Mischa Auer as a guide in the Louvre during the climactic scene dealing with an attempted heist of the Mona Lisa.

Believe it or not, the Mona Lisa actually got stolen once, and was missing for nearly two years. In 1911, Leonardo da Vinci's 'La Gioconda' (better known as the Mona Lisa) was taken from the Louvre by a petty thief (and former Louvre employee) who allegedly sought to return the world's most famous piece of art to its native Italy. His actions after the theft make it seem more likely that he intended to sell the painting for his personal profit. (Of course, he had no hope of finding a buyer.) The Mona Lisa was quietly returned to the Louvre on the very last day of 1913, remaining there ever since except for occasional loan-outs. When "Arsène Lupin" was released in 1932 (twenty years after the theft), most moviegoers would have recalled that 1911 crime, and their knowledge would have lent some plausibility to this movie. "Arsène Lupin" is quite enjoyable, with MGM's usual high production standards and Jack Conway's usual briskly efficient direction. This movie does not lack for pleasure; what it lacks is plausibility.John Barrymore is the master criminal of the title: he specialises in perpetrating 'impossible' crimes, which he makes even more difficult by announcing them in advance ... but of course he always commits the crime and fools the gendarmes. Tully Marshall has a good scene as one of Barrymore's victims. Lupin has a penchant for elaborate disguises, which enables Barrymore (a U.S. 'Grade A' ham) to indulge his own penchant for tomfoolery. John's older brother Lionel Barrymore is Guerchard, the Javert-like Surete detective sworn to catch Lupin.Karen Morley was an extremely beautiful actress whose private life was filled with populist political activities; on screen, she was most impressive in working-class roles that fitted her own political beliefs (such as her fine performance in 'Our Daily Bread'). In "Arséne Lupin", Morley's naturally dark hair is bleached a horrid blonde tone, and she's all tarted up in posh outfits that make her look uncomfortable rather than sexy.SPOILERS COMING. Eventually, Lupin decides to steal the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. He slits the painting from its frame, rolls up the canvas, and then smuggles it out in a flower basket. We see John Barrymore casually brandishing a tightly-rolled piece of cloth which is allegedly the greatest work of art in all human history. I had to laugh at the filmmakers' error. In real life (but not in this movie), da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa on a plank of poplar wood, so a thief would have difficulty rolling it up!Eventually, Guerchard captures Lupin and hauls him off to Le Calaboose. The scene between John and Lionel Barrymore in the police car is sheer delight, as their genuine affection for each other spills out into their characters' dialogue. I would have found this scene implausible with any two other actors. As it is, I can't imagine anyone but the Barrymore brothers playing these roles. Well, maybe Dennis and Randy Quaid, but just barely.Don't look for a good plot line here, but "Arsène Lupin" is a delightful example of old-style movie-making. I'll rate this movie 8 points out of 10.