THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS (1944)

Cornelius Leyden (Peter Lorre), a Dutch detective novelist vacationing in Turkey, is befriended by a police colonel (Kurt Katch), who tells him that th body of Dimitrios Makropoulis (Zachary Scott, Eternal Gypsy), a smooth, ruthless con artist and murderer, has washed up on the shore. He recounts Dimitrios' nefarious deeds and gives Leyden a list of victims and cheated associates. Leyden chases all over Europe, seeking stories for a new novel. He hears tales from a rich variety of suave, sketchy characters whom Dimitrios has swindled, especially Mr. Peters (Sidney Greenstreet) that are always engaging. The plot sometimes gets too complicated for its own good, but the acting by a parade of standout supporters (Eduardo Cianelli,, Fay Emerson, Stephen Geray, Victor Francen, George Metaxa) never disappoints. Director Jean Negulesco brilliantly gets the most out of every one of them, and especially, the complex, buddy-enemy relationship between Lorre (for once, not in a sinister role) and always-good Greenstreet. Well worth watching.