a cranky police detective suspect a french duke of be the infamous thief arsène lupin . john and lionel barrymore costarred together for the first time in a motion picture in this intriguing crime drama . alike and yet so different and they be the perfect counterpoint to each other . john play his role with suave sophistication ( when not in disguise ) and lionel be earthy and common in his portrayal and each obviously have a wonderful time try to out act the other . help by a generous script and the outcome be pretty much a draw and with the viewer the clear winner . although upstaged by the two male star and karen morley be intrigue a the mystery woman john find naked in his bed . tully marshall give a colorful performance a a silly nobleman with much to lose to the master criminal . henry armetta and george davis be very enjoyable a two seriously inept security guard . john miljan provide a sturdy presence in his small role a the police prefect . movie maven will recognize an uncredited mischa auer a a guide in the louvre during the climactic scene deal with an attempted heist of the mona lisa .