# Movie Plots Lost **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 4, 2000, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884 "2000-01-04T21:02:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/1 "2000-01-04T21:02:00Z")
There are three movies I’d liek to find. Each of them I’ve seen a long time ago. I sort of generally remember the plot, but not who was in them or (obviously) the titles. So I turn to you. Can you help? 1. Two big city (New York?) policemen try to strike it rich. They scam the Mafia by stealing something and selling it to them… I remember they got rid of the evidence by shredding it and dumping it out the window during a parade. 2. Older movie (B&W) about a millionaire who gets a job incognito in his own department store as a lowly clerk for some reason. Dual love story; he’s responsible for two of the clerks getting together and he meets an older woman he’s interested in. 3. Comedy… man has a small shop in some South American dictatorship. He agrees to work for the CIA and pass on information, but nothing happens, so he makes things up. He has a daughter who gets involved somehow. I apologize for this less-than-detailed recollection, but if I had details… why, then, I wouldn’t need to ask the question, would I? Search engines are great, but not for questions like these. Anyway, any help would be appreciated. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCTP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@ChrisCTP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCTP)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/2 "2000-01-04T21:09:00Z")
A possibility for the first one might be Money Train with Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes. Maybe??? * * * “Wednesday the 15th - Chris made one of her rare good points today.” _Guanolad_ ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/3 "2000-01-04T21:10:00Z")
I think the second movie may be ‘Sweepings,’ with either Lionel Barrymore or George Arliss (I know, not much difference). I’ll check tonight and let you know. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCTP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@ChrisCTP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCTP)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/4 "2000-01-04T21:11:00Z")
Actually, it’s probably not Money Train…but I _know_ I’ve seen that movie. Thanks a lot…now I’m going to be wondering about it all day. * * * “Wednesday the 15th - Chris made one of her rare good points today.” _Guanolad_ ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/5 "2000-01-04T21:21:00Z")
I know _Sweepings_ - it is with Lionel Barrymore and a department store, but I don’t think there’s any deal where he’s incognito. In any event, I know that isn’t the one I’m thinking of… thanks, though! Good movie! As to _Money Train_ - nope. Not even close. In _Money Train_ Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes rob actual cash from the NYC Transit system. There’s no shredding or parade involved. In the movie I’m thinking of, the key element is that the Mafia think that a robbery happened, so the cops steal documents and shred them… if that makes any sense. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/6 "2000-01-04T21:27:00Z")
Your first movie is _Cops and Robbers_ (1973). From the IMDB: > [@](#): > > Tom and Joe are disillusioned New York cops who decide to pull off one big robbery and retire on the proceeds. Bearer bonds are what the local Mafia boss will buy, so that’s what they go for. Central Park is the location for the switch. Can they come out of it with their lives and the money ? See the IMDB at [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0069919](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0069919) Your second movie is \*The Devil and Miss Jones \* (1941). From the IMDB: > [@](#): > > Department store owner J.P. Merrick finds that several of his employees are unionizing to get more money and better working conditions. In order to find out who the organizers are, he gets a job at the store as a shoe salesman. Not realizing his true identity, he’s befriended by Mary Jones and Joe O’Brien, the two ringleaders, and Elizabeth Ellis, a charming older woman with whom he develops a romance. See the IMDB at [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0033533](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0033533) I haven’t been able to find your third one yet. I’ll keep looking. * * * “Drink your coffee! Remember, there are people sleeping in China.” Dennis Matheson — [dennis@mountaindiver.com](mailto:dennis@mountaindiver.com) Hike, Dive, Ski, Climb — [www.mountaindiver.com](http://www.mountaindiver.com) ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/7 "2000-01-04T21:27:00Z")
_Cops and Robbers_ 1973 I remember when that film first came out, I thought it was very clever. The other films, give me a few minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/8 "2000-01-04T21:29:00Z")
tanstaafl, “The Devil and Miss Jones” may indeed be the one he was thinking of—but it was made earlier, too, in '30 or '31. For some reason, Messrs. Barrymore and Arliss stick in my mind, I’ll look it up tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/9 "2000-01-04T21:47:00Z")
…And your third movie is OUR MAN IN HAVANA, directed by Carol Reed in 1960, and starring Alec Guinness, Burl Ives, Maureen O’Hara, Noel Coward, Ralph Richardson, and Ernie Kovacs. SOME cast, eh? * * * Uke ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/10 "2000-01-04T21:48:00Z")
I don’t think it’s _Sweepings_. Here’s its plot summary: > [@](#): > > Daniel Pardway, starting with almost nothing after the great Chicago fire, builds the biggest department store in town. He wants to pass on the business to his three sons and daughter, but has to deal with their lack of interest or aptitude. It does star Lionel Barrymore, but doesn’t seem to be what he is talking about. The IMDB page is at [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0024633](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0024633) ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/11 "2000-01-04T21:54:00Z")
Good call Ukulele Ike, _Our Man in Havana_ (1960). > [@](#): > > Jim Wormold sells vacuum cleaners in Havana. His daughter Milly, 17, spends a lot of money, so he accepts to work for the Intelligence Service. As he has nothing to report, he invents facts, pretends to recruit agents and to discover secret constructions… Of course, one day all will become much harder… The IMDB page is [http://us.imdb.com/Title?0054152](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0054152) I was stuck trying to include “cia” or “south america” in my search. The IMDB is your friend! * * * “Drink your coffee! Remember, there are people sleeping in China.” Dennis Matheson — [dennis@mountaindiver.com](mailto:dennis@mountaindiver.com) Hike, Dive, Ski, Climb — [www.mountaindiver.com](http://www.mountaindiver.com) ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/12 "2000-01-04T22:03:00Z")
“The Devil and Miss Jones” : not to be confused with that _other_ classic, “The Devil In Miss Jones.” * * * **Launcher may train without warning.** ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/13 "2000-01-04T22:44:00Z")
I posted this question at 3:02 PM, by the board’s clock. All three movies were identified by 3:47 PM. Just for comparison’s sake, I had been trying to identify _Devil and Miss Jones_ for about six years. (Admittedly, I wasn’t trying full-time or anything, but still.) You guys rock. Very impressive. Now… I knew abou the IMDB, but I guess I never tried searching the plots database. I was amazed that Ukelele Ike came up with _Our Man in Havana_, especially because I was so off base – Havana is not, after all, in South America… Tell me you knew this because you saw the movie… becuase if there’s a database that can compensate for my stupidity, I must have it! I could rule the world!! Cheers, Rick ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2000, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/14 "2000-01-04T23:44:00Z")
OK, new problem… [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) has both _Devil_ and _Cops & Robbers_ in stock… they’re on their way to me even as we speak. However… _Our Man in Havana_ is a little more elusive. I can’t find it on any on-line sales source. Nor does it appear to be airing on any of the standard cable channels (at least, not those here in Northern Virginia). I must have this movie. What’s my next step? - Rick ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCTP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@ChrisCTP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCTP)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/15 "2000-01-05T04:19:00Z")
Check around for a Ma&Pa videostore…they generally have pretty eclectic wares. Failing that…Blockbuster? * * * “Wednesday the 15th - Chris made one of her rare good points today.” _Guanolad_ ---
**Author:** ![Jackamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Jackamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackamus)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/16 "2000-01-05T05:02:00Z")
Two more possibilities: eBay or Video Oyster. Keep in mind that some movies have never been on tape. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/17 "2000-01-05T14:12:00Z")
Depending on where you live, you might also check your local public library, and see if you can get it from inter-library loan. IIRC, _Our Man in Havana_ is based on novel (or screenplay?) by Graham Greene, in addition to a fantastic cast, so it’s not improbable that the library system could get it. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/18 "2000-01-05T14:15:00Z")
OK, I was sorta right and sorta wrong. The movie I was thinking of was “The Working Man” (1933), in which George Arliss plays an industrialist who retires, then takes a factory job at his rival’s company. He also plays cupid—I think “The Devil and Miss Jones” was probably a very loose remake. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/19 "2000-01-05T16:43:00Z")
Aw, shucks, Brick. It’s just that the movie (and the Greene novel) are old favorites of mine. (I knew COPS AND ROBBERS, too, but was beaten to the punch. It was based on an early-1970s of Donald E. Westlake’s.) The OUR MAN IN HAVANA video IS difficult to find (I taped my copy off NYC commercial TV several years back). If you’re coming up blank in the usual on-line markets, you might try giving Kim’s Video in NYC a call…they have a lot of oddball, hard-to-find material. (I just bought a copy there of Roman Polanski’s ultra-hard-to-find 1973 movie WHAT?..for twenty bucks!) Depending on where you are in the country, of course. I’m sure that L.A., San Francisco, Chicago, etc., have places similar to Kim’s. Matter of fact, I think Chicago’s home to Facets Video. * * * Uke ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Propski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5e9695/32.png) [@Guy\_Propski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Propski)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2000, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884/20 "2000-01-05T16:45:00Z")
The novel, “Our Man in Havana”, is in print. The movie was very faithful to the novel, so you should enjoy the book. By the way, Wormold worked for British Intelligence, not the CIA. You can probably rent it at Blockbuster. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-plots-lost/5884.md?page=2)