Desire

Desire

Year: 1936

Runtime: 95 min

Language: Spanish

Director: Frank Borzage

ComedyRomanceCrime

A passionate and forbidden romance ignites between a woman and her sister's husband, creating hilarious and chaotic complications. As their feelings deepen, they must navigate the complexities of desire, deceit, and the potential destruction of their families. Laughter and longing intertwine as they struggle to manage the consequences of their actions.

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Timeline & Setting – Desire (1936)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Desire (1936). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

Set in the 1930s Europe, the film captures a pre-war glamour filled with jewel heists and cosmopolitan intrigue. Fashionable Parisian society collides with roaming criminals as the chase sweeps through border towns. The era’s tension and opulent aesthetics drive both romance and peril.

Location

Paris, France, San Sebastián, Spain, Madrid, Spain, France–Spain border

The action travels from a chic Paris jewelry shop to the glamorous cross-border regions along the France–Spain frontier. It shifts through San Sebastián and Madrid as Madeleine escapes with the loot, turning stylish cities into a playground for deception. The settings juxtapose high-society elegance with pursuit and law, underpinning the film’s caper atmosphere.

🎨 Parisian glamour 🗺️ International intrigue 🕵️‍♀️ Crime caper

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

Main Characters – Desire (1936)

Meet the key characters of Desire (1936), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Madeleine de Beaupré (Marlene Dietrich)

Beautiful and seductive, Madeleine is a consummate con artist who uses a manufactured husband persona and clever manipulation to obtain the coveted pearls. She moves through high-society Paris and dangerous borderlands with charm that hides ruthless ambitions. As her feelings for Tom deepen, she strides toward a potential life beyond crime, even as her past catches up with her.

🎭 Deceptive 💎 Jewel thief 💘 Romantic lead

Tom Bradley (Gary Cooper)

An American automotive engineer on assignment in France, Tom starts as a vacationing tourist who becomes drawn to Madeleine. He balances practical judgment with a growing, genuine affection, and his determination drives the pursuit across borders. Though he falls for her, he also represents trust and steadfastness against a life of crime.

🧭 American idealist 🚗 Driver 💖 Romantic lead

Count Carlos Margoli (Akim Tamiroff)

The faux prince and mastermind of the scheme, Carlos is the charming but ruthless backer who longs for Madeleine and orchestrates the plan to fence the pearls. He leverages social status to manipulate others and vies to maintain control over the course of the caper. His manipulation creates the central conflict that threatens Tom and Madeleine’s relationship.

🗝️ Mastermind 💼 Backer 🕴️ Aristocrat

Aunt Olga (Zeffie Tilbury)

Grandmotherly but shrewd, Olga is a veteran member of the crime circle who taunts Madeleine and helps push the lovers toward or away from danger. Her experience and street-smarts keep the scheme running while adding a layer of sly humor to the caper.

👵 Elderly accomplice 🕸️ Web of crime

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

Major Themes – Desire (1936)

Explore the central themes of Desire (1936), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Disguise & Identity

Madeleine’s shifting identities propel the plot, manipulating two men and masking her true motives. The story probes how easily appearances can mislead, blurring lines between honor and deception. Each reveal drives the couple closer to an uncertain future toward truth.

💎 Wealth & Deception

The priceless pearls serve as both temptation and trap, fueling greed and risk. The pursuit crosses borders, exposing how wealth can corrupt and empower criminals. The splendor around the theft contrasts with the moral costs faced by the characters.

💘 Love vs. Crime

Tom’s growing affection complicates Madeleine’s facade and threatens her criminal life. Their budding romance tests trust, loyalty, and the possibility of redemption. The finale hinges on choosing a future together over a past built on lies.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:34

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Desire Summary

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Desire Summary

Desire Timeline

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Desire Timeline

More About Desire

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