Yolanda and the Thief

Yolanda and the Thief

Year: 1945

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: English

Director: Vincente Minnelli

FantasyMusicRomanceSong and danceDazzling vocal performances and musicals

Johnny Riggs, a fugitive con man, arrives in the fictional Latin American nation of Patria and overhears a wealthy, convent‑educated woman praying to her guardian angel for help with her tangled business affairs. Posing as her angel, he earns her trust and steals her fortune. When he falls in love, he returns the money with a confession‑love letter, but their escape proves far more perilous than expected.

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Timeline & Setting – Yolanda and the Thief (1945)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Yolanda and the Thief (1945). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Patria, Yolanda's estate, Convent

Patria is a pastoral country where Yolanda stands to inherit a vast fortune. Much of the action unfolds at her estate and within the convent where she studies, highlighting a sheltered upbringing. The Patrian countryside and estate grounds frame a tale of wealth, deceit, and romance.

🌄 Rural setting 🏰 Grand estate ⛪ Convent 🚂 Train journey

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:31

Main Characters – Yolanda and the Thief (1945)

Meet the key characters of Yolanda and the Thief (1945), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Johnny Parkson Riggs (Fred Astaire)

A charming but opportunistic con man who pretends to be Yolanda’s guardian angel. He teams with Victor to steal bonds but experiences growing doubt as he falls for Yolanda. His arc moves from deceit toward genuine love and reform, ending in marriage.

🎭 Charmer 🕵️‍♂️ Con artist 💔 Romantic

Yolanda Acquaviva (Lucille Bremer)

An 18-year-old heiress raised in a sheltered life who inherits a vast fortune. She is hopeful but naive, trusting the supposed guardian angel and gradually learning to read real intentions. Her journey centers on maturity, trust, and choosing a sincere partner.

🎀 Heiress 💡 Naive ❤️ Romantic

Mr. Candle (Leon Ames)

The apparent guardian angel who claims to guide Yolanda, but his true identity is revealed as the protector who prompts Johnny’s reform. His revelation reinforces the theme of genuine guardianship over manipulation.

🛡️ Guardian 🌓 Mysterious 🤝 Mentor

Aunt Amarilla Acquaviva (Mildred Natwick)

Yolanda’s formidable aunt who oversees the family fortune. She embodies control and protection of assets, setting the stakes for Yolanda’s responsibility and the intruders’ intrusion.

🏰 Matriarch 💼 Wealth guardian

Victor Budlow Trout (Frank Morgan)

Johnny’s partner in the scheme to exploit Yolanda’s wealth. He is pragmatic and eager, driving the plan that eventually collides with moral consequences and the guardianship arc.

🎭 Partner in crime 🧭 Opportunist

Duenna (Mary Nash)

A trusted staff member who helps manage Yolanda’s household and estate, illustrating the social circle surrounding the heiress and the mechanisms of wealth and status.

🏵️ Servant circle 🧭 Household senior

Padre (Francis Pierlot)

A priest who embodies moral oversight within the Patrian setting, offering spiritual guidance in contrast to the con men’s deceit.

⛪ Spiritual guide 🕊️ Moral voice

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:31

Major Themes – Yolanda and the Thief (1945)

Explore the central themes of Yolanda and the Thief (1945), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Redemption

A con man’s deceit collides with a chance for moral reform. The guardian-angel ruse pushes Johnny toward self-reflection and a decision to reform. Yolanda’s trust is tested, then redirected toward genuine love and growth. The resolution hinges on choosing love and integrity over wealth.

💰 Wealth & Deception

Yolanda’s fortune is the lure that drives the plot, attracting schemes and manipulation. The fake guardian engineer schemes to profit, while true guardianship reveals itself through care and honesty. The fiancé-like bond forms as deceit dissolves into a sincere relationship. Wealth tests loyalties and moral boundaries.

🌿 Innocence & Growth

Yolanda starts as an innocent heiress sheltered by guardians and servants. Her faith and naivety are challenged by a sophisticated con, prompting maturation. Through trials, she learns to discern true intentions and build a lasting, meaningful connection. The story tracks her evolution from sheltered serenity to poised independence.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:31

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Yolanda and the Thief Summary

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Yolanda and the Thief Timeline

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