Walk of Fame Movies: Jewel Robbery and Helen Vinson

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Kay Francis and William Powell in Jewel Robbery.
William Powell and Kay Francis in Jewel Robbery.

Some clues that this is a pre-Code film:

  • The first scene is two scantily clad women talking about cheating on their husbands.
  • Two men are openly pursuing one of the married women.
  • One of the men is a charming jewel thief, and the woman is into it big time.
  • The thief casually hands out weed, and it gets smoked.
  • All law enforcement is either inept or corrupt

…and of course the thief gets away.

Composite picture. On the left, a mockup of Helen Vinson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On the right, a black and white portrait photo of Helen Vinson.

This was Helen Vinson’s first movie role. She acted for a dozen or so years before retiring. Her star is at 1560 Vine Street.

Today’s poster is based on a very similar film about police corruption.

A fake poster for Jewel Robbery mimicking the poster for Serpico.
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