What films pre-date the 'To Catch a Thief (1955), use a former Thief' concept? (1 Viewer)

[rich_d]

By concept, I mean I'm looking for films where the main protagonist is a former crook, who (although he'd rather not get involved) uses his skills/knowledge to catch a current crook prior to TO CATCH A THIEF (1955). Certainly To Catch A Thief can't be the first of that sort of thing ... but I'm just drawing a blank. Experts?

 

[Robert Crawford]

The Arsene Lupin films particularly the sequel with Melvyn Douglas.

 

[rich_d]

Excellent! And that film Arsène Lupin Returns (1938) even involves a French locale and an insurance agent not to mention a former jewel thief suspected of jewel theft. From looking at comments about Arsène Lupin Returns a couple of other film series came up of crooks or former crooks solving crimes ... The Lone Wolf and Boston Blackie series. Thanks Robert!