The Burglar is a 1957 American crime thriller film noir released by Columbia Pictures, based on the 1953 novel of the same name by David Goodis (who also wrote the script).

[3][4] To steal the jewels, Nat Harbin forms a gang that includes two men, Baylock and Dohmer, and Gladden, the daughter of his mentor.

Gladden cases the estate, posing as a devotee of the spiritual group's work and eventually discovers where to find Sister Sara's safe.

Realizing that Gladden is in danger, Harbin drives toward Atlantic City with Blaylock and Dohmer, but a toll booth operator recognizes him from the sketch and calls the authorities.

Harbin and Blaylock abandon the car with Dohmer's body near Atlantic City, where they take refuge in a deserted shack.

When the man comes downstairs to the lobby, Harbin realizes that he is Charlie, one of the officers who questioned him on the night of the burglary.

The two meet at Atlantic City's Steel Pier and retreat to an attraction to hide from Charlie, who finds them when Gladden drops the music box and it plays its tune.

Charlie claims that Harbin had thrown the jewels into the ocean, but Della has just arrived and is enraged that he seems to be cutting her out of their deal.

This film was remade in 1971 as The Burglars, directed by Henri Verneuil and starring Omar Sharif, Jean Paul Belmondo and Dyan Cannon.