The Light Touch

Sam Conride steals a Renaissance painting that is on loan to an Italian museum run by a Catholic church. He has the backing of his partner Felix Guignol, who wants to profit. The audacious heist sets everything in motion for later deception and forgery.

Felix, wary but pragmatic, agrees to a plan to produce several forgeries to sell as the real article. He recommends Anna Vasarri as a painter capable of convincing forgeries. The arrangement targets Aramescue, who is willing to pay $100,000 for the artwork.

Sam stages a boating accident on the way to the Tunis rendezvous and tells Felix the painting was destroyed in a fire. Felix remains skeptical but plays along to avoid confrontation. The lie clears the path for the forgery plan to proceed.

Sam meets Anna Vasarri and tries to persuade her to join the forgery scheme. Anna is appalled at the idea and refuses, especially since the painting is believed to work miracles by Catholics. Felix urges Sam to woo her to win her over.

Sam uses charm to win Anna's affection, and she falls in love with him. The couple decide to marry and begin their life together, unaware of the danger surrounding the painting. Felix watches closely, calculating the next steps.

Sam contacts R. F. Hawkley, a fence who could move the painting. MacWade, the forgery expert, certifies the painting as genuine and Hawkley agrees to pay $100,000, though he doesn't have the funds on hand. Felix learns of the meeting, heightening the tension between the partners.

Sam and Anna marry and travel to Italy for their honeymoon, financed by Felix. The trip deepens their bond as Sam's secrets and the painting's importance loom over them. Anna begins to sense the stakes surrounding her husband.

During the Italian sojourn, Anna accidentally learns where the real painting is hidden. The knowledge places her in danger as Felix's men monitor her. She wrestles with whether to reveal the location or protect Sam.

Charles, one of Guignol’s enforcers, tries beating information out of Anna. She refuses to betray Sam, and her loyalty deepens the tension between them and their enemies.

Lt. Massiro warns Anna that the painting must be returned or Sam will be arrested. Anna asks for time to decide what to do, weighing love against duty and danger.

Anna switches the real painting with the forgery Sam had her create, aiming to fool the buyers and buy time for Sam. The switch marks a turning point as trust is tested and the ruse grows riskier.

Sam presents the painting to Aramescu, believing it will pass. Aramescu immediately spots the piece as a copy, exposing the deception and threatening Sam's position.

Sam confronts Anna about her choices, but she reveals that she truly loves him and cannot betray him. She tells him where the painting is hidden and then leaves him to face the consequences.

Sam arranges for Massiro to arrest Felix and his men, but they are released when it is revealed that the painting Sam carried was a forgery. The legal twist buys Sam time to secure the real painting's return.

Sam succeeds in returning the real painting to its rightful place in the church, and Anna returns to him. They walk away arm in arm as Felix's scheme collapses and Charles is prevented from shooting Sam.