Stolen Holiday (1937)

Set in Paris, a naive young model (Kay Francis) is used by an amoral con artist (Claude Rains) into setting up a financial empire. As she moves from model to high fashion couture designer, he moves from petty con man to the head of a business conglomerate based on criminal stratagem. Directed by Michael Curtiz (MILDRED PIERCE), this romantic melodrama balances what was commonly referred to as a "woman's picture" with a political scandal not unlike the U.S. financial crisis of 2008 (though unlike that event, the bad guys are punished for their deeds).  Though her stardom didn't survive past the 1930s, Kay Francis wore clothes better than any other actress of that decade and Orry Kelly's designs take full advantage of her mannequin's physique. Rains' con man is one of the most amoral characters I've seen portrayed on the screen. No conscience whatsoever and using anyone he can to his advantage. Certainly not requisite film watching but well made. This was one of 12 films Rains made with director Curtiz. With Ian Hunter, Alison Skipworth and Alexander D'Arcy.