Arsène Lupin (1932 film)
Arsène Lupin is a 1932 American mystery film directed by Jack Conway. It stars John Barrymore as Arsène Lupin, with Lionel Barrymore co-starring. The movie was made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and is based on a play by Maurice Leblanc and Francis de Croisset about the famous gentleman thief who robs the rich.
Plot in simple terms:
In Paris, a big robbery brings Lupin to the attention of Detective Guerchard. At a ball and later at the Duke of Charmerace’s country estate, Lupin pulls off clever heists, disguises himself, and outwits the police. The thefts include valuable paintings and, at one point, the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. The Duke of Charmerace is revealed to be Lupin. A tense showdown involves Guerchard and a kidnapping, but Lupin escapes capture and ends up still free, planning more adventures with his ally Sonia.
Production and reception:
The film runs 84 minutes and was released on March 5, 1932. It was an American pre-Code mystery produced by MGM. The budget was about $433,000 and it grossed around $1.11 million worldwide, turning a profit of roughly $245,000.
Key people:
Director – Jack Conway
Main cast – John Barrymore (Arsène Lupin), Lionel Barrymore (Detective Guerchard)
Cinematography – Oliver T. Marsh
Editing – Hugh Wynn
Music – Alfred Newman
Produced by – Louis B. Mayer, Irving Thalberg, Samuel Goldwyn (uncredited)
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:13 (CET).