New 2K Restoration
Famous and fabulous veteran screen pair Kay Francis and William Powell set Vienna on its head in this pre-Code ode to sex, drugs, and diamonds. Stick around after the film for a fun conversation on the Hays Code, pre-Code salaciousness, and more!
Set against the baroque beauty of Vienna, a debonair thief unexpectedly falls for his latest target, a baron’s wife whose boredom with her life—and her latest string of lovers—makes her thrilled to be caught up in the midst of a jewelry heist. Featuring the electric chemistry of William Powell and Kay Francis, Jewel Robbery is a stylish and sultry romp with stunning costumes by Orry-Kelly (including one creation that absolutely defies gravity), breezy romance, and one of the most divine final shots Hollywood ever created. [68 min; comedy, crime, romance; English]
Following the screening, join IU Media School professor Joan Hawkins and IU Cinema Communications and Outreach Media Specialist Michaela Owens for a discussion on the Hays Production Code, sex in cinema, and the pre-Code era.
"The erotic edge of looming danger, the sexual charge of a sure and confident touch, the thrilling distinction between true refinement and mere formality electrify this 1932 Hollywood drama." — Richard Brody, New Yorker
"Today, its potency persists undiminished: the film delights as more than mere escapism." — Calum Marsh, Village Voice
"Underneath the light, fleet-footed comic antics is a film that beckons the audience to cheer on Francis in all her adulterous behavior." — Fedor Tot, Vague Visages
Any film screened at IU Cinema may contain content that viewers find sensitive or upsetting. Visit our Audience Advisories page to learn more.
