A Scandal in Paris

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A Scandal in Paris

1946,

1h 40m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

78%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

250+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In 1805 Paris, petty criminal and Lothario Eugène-François Vidocq (George Sanders) and his cellmate escape from prison. Pretending to be soldiers, they travel to Marseilles where attractive young singer Loretta (Carole Landis) and her jewels tempt them. Vidocq then meets a marquise and plots to steal her stash of jewels. With the help of the minister of police's daughter, Thérèse (Signe Hasso), Vidocq finds himself unexpectedly replacing the police chief and reconsidering his ways.

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Dec 28, 2015

With a display of suave images and wry performances, Sirk delights in the elegant formalities that withhold judgment in favor of pleasure and knowledge.

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Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

Aug 13, 2003

It's probably safe to say that the earnest A Scandal in Paris won't ever approach the level of acceptance accorded to All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jul 28, 2026

The sly, sardonic Douglas Sirk comedy, set in Paris in the Napoleanic era and based on the (highly dubious) memoir of real-life French rascal Vidoq, features [George] Sanders the aristocratic thief with a blasé attitude and bemused smile.

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Jeremy Aspinall

Radio Times

Oct 6, 2022

3/5

Sanders gives an appealing star performance here.

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Austin Trunick

Under the Radar

Feb 28, 2017

This is certainly a lesser Sirk work, relying little on his signature nuance and subtext and instead playing it broad for the cheap seats with slapstick and gimmicks such as a trained monkey and a cringe-inducingly cute kid sister.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Oct 17, 2016

3/4

[UPDATED 2025 REVIEW] A Scandal in Paris goes heavy on the comedy, light on the drama, and all-out on the entertainment.

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Douglas Sirk

Director

George Sanders

Vidocq

Signe Hasso

Therese

Carole Landis

Loretta

Akim Tamiroff

Emile

Gene Lockhart

Richet

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Synopsis

In 1805 Paris, petty criminal and Lothario Eugène-François Vidocq (George Sanders) and his cellmate escape from prison. Pretending to be soldiers, they travel to Marseilles where attractive young singer Loretta (Carole Landis) and her jewels tempt them. Vidocq then meets a marquise and plots to steal her stash of jewels. With the help of the minister of police's daughter, Thérèse (Signe Hasso), Vidocq finds himself unexpectedly replacing the police chief and reconsidering his ways.

Director: Douglas Sirk
Screenwriter: Ellis St. Joseph
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Arnold Pressburger Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 9, 1946, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 4, 2016
Runtime: 1h 40m

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