Doris Payne's life story sounds like something straight out of a movie, and now a biopic of her illicit six-decade career is heading to the big screen. Tessa Thompson, who recently played Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, will star as Payne in the untitled project from Codeblack Films. Payne, who has been to jail several times for theft and was arrested as recently as December 2016, started stealing jewels to support herself in her 20s, and authorities claim she has used upwards of 22 aliases over the course of her life. Per Variety, who broke the news of the film, "Payne, who is now 87, would enter jewelry stores posing as a well-to-do woman looking for a diamond ring and ask to see an assortment of items. Using her charm, she would eventually cause the clerk to forget how many pieces were outside the cases and leave with one or two pieces." More From Town & CountryJohn Bazemore/AP/REX/Shutterstock"I don’t dictate what happens when I walk in the store. The people in charge dictate what happens with me when I walk in the store," Payne told the Associated Press in 2016. "I don’t tell a person in the store I want to see something that costs $10,000. They make those decisions based on how I present myself and how I look." The script reportedly will be something akin to Catch Me if You Can and The Thomas Crown Affair. Additional information about casting or a premiere date has yet to be released publicly. This isn't Payne's first brush with the movie industry. She was the subject of a 2013 documentary called The Life and Crimes of Doris Payne. In that film, which is currently available to stream on Netflix, Payne says she searched Town & Country magazine for "the finest jewelry salons." Watch the trailer for the documentary below: This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The Life And Crimes Of Doris Payne Official Trailer (2014) - Jewel Thief Documentary HD Watch on
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Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. Watch Watchlist 192 global ratings How are ratings calculated? Top reviews from the United States DoyleReviewed in the United States on December 16, 2016 Fascinating Story One Womans Life Choices. Verified purchase14 people found this helpfulGreyGhostReviewed in the United States on November 4, 2017 Great documentary, fascinating subject!! This documentary was very well done. As for Ms. Payne...wow...what a study. I am amazed that this is the first I ever heard of her; the planned-then-scrapped movie about her life, starring Halle Berry, would have been great to see. I would call Ms. Payne the black female Frank Abagnale, except for the fact that Frank's life of crime only lasted about 6 years to Ms. Payne's 60. In her 80s, the gentle, pleasant-looking Ms. Payne certainly makes for a sympathetic subject on the surface. Yet it is difficult to square her purported motives (initially to help her mother, then to strike a blow for social justice) with the fact that she continued to be a globetrotting professional thief for an entire lifetime. It is tough to care more about her liberty, or how or where her life will end, than she clearly does. For her, being locked up multiple times was an acceptable cost of doing business - and perhaps, as she aged, a viable senior living strategy. Clearly a woman of her intelligence and beauty had options, even in the tough times she came of age in. I shed no tears for Ms. Payne - she appears to be very much in her right mind, quite content to be the grand diva of deception that she always was. We all make our choices and must live with the consequences. As a former criminal defense lawyer and someone who grew up poor and black, let us just say that I "know" Ms. Payne, having encountered people like her countless times. Side note: For an interesting fictional piece on this lifestyle (and to see a young Kerry Washington in a great performance), I recommend "Lift" from 2001. 6 people found this helpfulIsmeReviewed in the United States on June 14, 2020 Great documentary! Some reviewers are petty Verified purchaseFantastic documentary!! All the people with bitter comments about how terrible this woman supposedly is need to take a step back and get over yourselves ;)If you feel intimidated by Doris Payne because like a reviewer here commented: “you yourself sell high end jewelry” hm-- if you’re worried about items from your store being stolen- where’s your insurance? Your story doesn’t ring so true. Also maybe you need to thank your lucky stars you got lucky enough to be working in an esteemed industry. As someone who has struggled and watched others struggle to get ahead- believe me- you got your good position because of luck along with whatever hard work you do. Sure maybe you worked hard, but many people do, and some of get their break late in life if ever..Some chronically underemployed people who are underpaid, under appreciated, and kept down may enjoy seeing the likes of Doris Payne live her life out. If she was a man you’d be going on about how brilliant and sexy and exciting she was....For anyone not intimidated by a black woman living out a life that we go to the movies to see- a lifestyle that is so often glamorized when portrayed by men- this documentary is for you! If you’re small minded then look elsewhere. If your life has been handed to you and you think you are where you are solely because you “applied yourself” and don’t give any other positive factors in your life credit, you’re deluded. Doris Payne was not given the same chances in society that any of us were- unless you were born a black woman in 1930 you have no leg to stand on with such a ridiculous statement. Watch the documentary! Sure Doris Payne went against social mores. Sure she stole. This is about her life, open, honest, raw. She is who she is, unapologetic, charming and spunky. I don’t hate her because of the choices she made or announce that I “have no sympathy for her” like so many of you commenters here.. BTW, I don’t think she needs or wants your sympathy anyway 😉 2 people found this helpfulP. AndersenReviewed in the United States on January 1, 2021 I enjoyed it. Verified purchaseOne person found this helpfulAnonymiceReviewed in the United States on March 4, 2017 Common Shoplifter Verified purchaseThis is mostly centered on Doris speaking about Doris, plus her friends and attorney, and is centered on the trial for her 2012 arrest. Although, as Doris has a problem with the truth, the accuracy of the information is suspect, and she obviously has her friends charmed (part of her con). I would have liked a look into the mental illness that Doris has, for she surely has one. She is completely and utterly compelled to steal and con, with no usual conscience. She briefly speaks of early childhood experiences that she uses to rationalize her behavior. She was angry, she says, about lack of opportunity. Well, join the club. I am not sure what dressing up and stealing high end rings has to do with that. Is she making a statement about the political situation or discrimination? No. Too bad she did not turn to civil disobedience or try to change the system. Plus, you'd think a person would naturally evolve over a lifetime and develop morals. It is amazing that she cannnot see that SHE got herself into this legal situation. She and her friend act as if this is all happening to her because she is a black woman. While I often have a liberal sympathy toward certain criminals (at least trying to find a reason why they do what they do), I have none for Doris, as this isn't a prejudicial issue, and has nothing to do with the ills of the legal system. I think the judge absolutely did the right thing and too bad things turned out as they did with that sentence. I just wanted to slap her! No remorse, all a game (which she will now always lose with video surveillance, but doesn't 'get' that). I love jewelry and also used to look at, many rings at a time. I saw how easy it would be for me to pocket one. But that's the difference between me and Doris (and most people and Doris). We don't view that opportunity as a window to steal. In the end, she is a garden variety shoplifter, nothing more. 9 people found this helpfulJulie Julie JulieReviewed in the United States on September 29, 2017 Talk about carving out the life you choose for yourself-impressive in that. Verified purchase5 people found this helpfulKim AltheideReviewed in the United States on April 28, 2021 Great documentary on a jewelry thief Verified purchaseamazReviewed in the United States on July 4, 2022 Dont bother - Read the book instead - much better Verified purchaseSee all reviews |