Eugène François Vidocq was a VERY peculiar person. Up until 1810, he'd been a career criminal. Then, he turned snitch and began working with the police. None of this is extraordinary. However, eventually, he was appointed Chief of the new Sûreté Nationale (a very famous French police force) as well as becoming the first private detective! Along the way, he became involved in all sorts of intrigues, was briefly jailed and had a few marriages! All in all, he had an amazing life--one that easily could have made an excellent movie. Unfortunately, "A Scandal in Paris" does what many Hollywood films have done over the years---it ignores the facts and mostly fictionalizes his life! And, believe it or not, the fictionalized life is far less interesting!! In fact, the film seemed, at best, ordinary despite starring George Sanders. It looked nice and wasn't terrible....but should have been so much better.

Although the story line bogs down a bit and the plot gets a bit thick at times to follow, for fans of George Sanders this film is an absolute must. I cannot imagine anyone else but Sanders in the lead as the con man Eugene Francois Vidocq the thief who rises to become the head of the Paris PD and then gets put in charge of the security at the bank. The better to rob it when the time comes.

Even when in the greatest of danger of exposure Sanders is never at a loss for word, wit or wits. The only one who knows the whole story of Sanders is Akim Tamiroff and he won't tell.

I cannot and will not spill any of the elaborate plans that Sanders makes, but it involves his ability to con every one so that he is trusted implicitly.

One should also take careful note of Gene Lockhart who usually is playing sniveling rats. Here for a change of pace he's a detective who Sanders makes an absolute fool out of.

Forget Addison DeWitt and the Oscar Sanders won for playing him, A Scandal In Paris is no doubt his career role. And he looks like he's having such a good time in the part.

This film is excellent! I don't understand why anyone would call this the "nadir" of Sirk's career, as it is far more intelligent than any of Sirk's famous melodramas. While I enjoy those films, this remains my favorite Sirk picture. The story chronicles the misadventures of pretty rascal turned gentleman thief, Eugene Vidocq, played by the eternal screen cad George Sanders. This is one of Sanders' best caddish roles, as he sidles around chateaux and graveyards, uttering lines such as "sometimes the chains of marriage as so heavy they must be carried by three". In addition to the witty, frothy humour, there is a dark undercurrent to the film that is evidenced in its noirish photography and the amorality of the lead characters. High recommended to fans of Old Hollywood who enjoy the more eclectic films of that period!