Once a Thief (1950 film)
# Once a Thief (1950 film)

Once a Thief is a 1950 American crime film noir directed by W. Lee Wilder starring Cesar Romero, June Havoc, Marie McDonald and Lon Chaney Jr.

## Plot

Margie Moore, a miserable San Francisco woman, turns in desperation to jewel robbery. She narrowly escapes apprehension in a heist and moves to Los Angeles, where she takes an honest job as a waitress. Her troubles resume when she falls in love with smooth-talking Mitch Foster, who reveals his true colors by stealing all of her money and then informing the authorities about her.

In prison with her partner-in-crime Pearl, Margie is visited by Mitch and waitress friend Flo. Mitch continues to try to extract money from her. Margie overpowers a doctor and slips away from prison disguised in the doctor's clothes. Law-enforcement authorities look for her at Mitch's and discover his illegal activities there. Mitch tries to escape, but Margie lures him to a deserted spot and shoots him.

## Cast

* Cesar Romero as Mitch Moore
* June Havoc as Margie Foster
* Marie McDonald as Flo
* Lon Chaney Jr. as Gus
* Iris Adrian as Pearl
* Jack Daly as Eddie
* Marta Mitrovich as Nickie
* Ann Tyrrell as Dr. Borden
* Michael Mark as Milton
* Kathleen Freeman as Phoebe
* Dana Broccoli as Jane (as Dana Wilson)
* Bill Baldwin as Bondsman
* Frances Blumfeld as Lt. Francis Blumfeld (as Lieutenant Frances Blumfeld)
* Gwendolph Dusuau as Deputy Gwendolph Dusuau (as Deputy Gwendolph Dusuau)
* John P. Battema as Chaplain John P. Battema (as Chaplain John P. Battema)
* Dorris Mack as Deputy Dorris Mack (as Deputy Dorris Mack)
* Irma Kunow as Deputy Irma Kunow (as Deputy Irma Kunow)
* Lloyd C. Smith as Officer Lloyd C. Smith (as Officer Lloyd C. Smith)
* Ruth Moore as Police Sergeant Ruth Moore (as Sergeant Ruth Moore)
* Leauta Larsen as Deputy Leauta Larsen (as Deputy Leauta Larsen)
