Lawful Larceny

A wealthy New York socialite falls prey to a smooth-talking con man. He convinces her to invest in a fraudulent business venture, draining her finances. As she realizes she's been duped, she must find a way to reclaim her fortune and expose his deceitful scheme.

Lawful Larceny was a successful film at the box office, though contemporary critical reception was mixed. Some praised its fast-paced narrative and the performances, while others found its plot somewhat predictable and melodramatic for the time.

• Praised for its efficient pacing and dramatic performances.

• Criticized by some for its conventional plot structure.

• Recognized as a solid example of early crime melodrama.

Google audience: Audience reception for Lawful Larceny is largely unavailable due to its age. However, its status as a popular film of its era suggests it resonated with audiences looking for thrilling crime stories.

Lawful Larceny was a remake of a 1923 silent film of the same name, also directed by Edmund Goulding, and was based on a successful 1922 Broadway play by Samuel Shipman.