Once a Thief
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	W. Lee Wilder
Screenplay by	Richard S. Conway
Story by	Max Colpet and Hans Wilhelm
Produced by	W. Lee Wilder William Stephens
Starring	Cesar Romero June Havoc Marie McDonald Lon Chaney Jr.
Cinematography	William H. Clothier
Edited by	Asa Boyd Clark
Music by	Michel Michelet
Production company	W. Lee Wilder Productions
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	July 7, 1950 (1950-07-07)
Running time	88 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

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.^[1]

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)