What Is The Green Glove About?
The premise of The Green Glove in 306 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the shadowed streets of wartime France, the world feels both fractured and alive with clandestine whispers. The city’s ruined façades and flickering lights create a backdrop where every alley could hold a secret, and the lingering echo of conflict colors every interaction. This atmosphere of uneasy calm is punctuated by the subtle glamour of historic landmarks, suggesting a place where past and present constantly collide.
Michael Blake arrives as a seasoned American soldier whose wartime experience has left him scarred yet resilient. Years ago he was thrust into a desperate encounter with Paul Rona, a notorious art thief whose reputation bridges the worlds of high culture and high stakes. The lingering memory of that encounter, tied to a jeweled gauntlet—a relic of religious significance—has become a haunting promise that haunts Blake’s thoughts. Now, facing personal and financial ruin back home, he feels compelled to return to France, drawn by the allure of reclaiming that lost treasure and perhaps finding redemption.
The present‑day Paris he re‑enters is a city of cobblestones and modern intrigue, where mysterious figures seem to linger just out of sight and an inexplicable corpse hints at deeper dangers. It is here that Blake’s path crosses with Christine, a savvy tour guide whose knowledge of the city’s hidden corners proves invaluable. Their partnership forms quickly, a dance of mutual curiosity and guarded trust that hints at something more intimate amid the looming threat.
The tone of the story balances tension with a wry sense of adventure, offering a tapestry of romance, chase, and the ever‑present question of what one is willing to risk for a fabled artifact. As Blake and Christine navigate a landscape thick with secrets, the film invites the audience to wonder whether love can flourish in the shadow of danger, and what truths will surface when history’s ghosts finally surface.
What Happens in The Green Glove?
The complete story of The Green Glove, from the first scene to the last, in 933 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with a taut teaser that circles back to the end of the tale: the Gauntlet of St. Elzear, known as the green glove, has vanished again from its shrine. The [Father Goron] hears the church bells tolling, a sound that was not meant to accompany this moment. He hurries to the church, finds a dead man, and climbs to the bell tower where the bells ring without a bell-ringer. Returning to the nave, he discovers the gauntlet back in its rightful place. A jacket bearing a designer label from Los Angeles is found on the dead man, and the clue suggests the deceased is an American—[Mike Blake].
From the opening seconds the story shifts to a war-torn setting where Blake, an American paratrooper, is trapped behind enemy lines. He moves through ruined streets and rubble-strewn squares until he encounters [Count Paul Rona], a man who carries a valise and initially presents himself as a reporter. Blake quickly learns that Rona knows about the coming German attack, and the two players pivot around a single guarded object—the green glove. Rona tries to bargain for his freedom by offering to part with the bejeweled glove in exchange for permission to walk away. The moment a bomb from a plane explodes nearby, the valise slips from Rona’s grip, and he bolts in haste, leaving Blake to recover.
Blake is found by the Countess, a young man named Armond, and Pierre, her loyal butler. The Countess wants him brought to her home, and Blake agrees only after Armond promises to alert the Americans about the impending German attack. The next morning, the Countess celebrates what she thinks is a retreat by the Germans, but Armond arrives having died trying to get word out—the attack had been a sham orchestrated by Rona. The Countess is shaken to the core and loses her ability to speak. As Blake prepares to depart, Pierre shows him the valise that Blake believes is his own. Blake decides to leave it be for the moment, and Pierre volunteers to guard it until Blake can return for it.
A few years later, Blake travels to Paris, intent on reclaiming the glove, since things in the States have not gone well for him. He is trailed by a follower and enlists [Chris Kenneth] to help him shake off his tail on a guided tour of the city, including a stop on the Eiffel Tower. That evening, the two cross paths again in a nightclub, where they quickly click. They return to Blake’s hotel, where Inspector Faubert arrives to question him about a man found dead in Blake’s room, a corruption of identity that includes a drawing of Blake in the dead man’s pocket. The dead man is the same follower who had tailed Blake on the tower, and the two admit they had seen him. The Inspector reveals he intends to talk again, but Blake departs, leaving a note for Faubert indicating he’ll be gone for a while.
Blake’s escape leads to pursuit as a man trailing him is shot—by Pepe, a henchman working for Rona. Blake and Chris press on to the Countess’s château, only to find it damaged and empty. Rona is waiting, insisting that he had Blake watched in the States and that the police suspect Blake of killing both the man found in the hotel and the officer on the train. He confirms he wants the glove, a priceless prize that could turn the tide of the investigation.
Faubert arrives later with a squad of officers, but his arrival comes too late to capture anyone in the château. Chris slips away, and she and Blake are later found by the Countess and Pierre at a nearby house where the couple has taken shelter. The Countess, still distressed, suddenly recognizes the glove as the Gauntlet of St. Elzear. Her faculties return as she realizes Armond is dead, and she sinks to her knees, clutching the glove to her cheek before fainting. When she regains her senses, she can speak again, and the truth about Armond’s fate becomes clear.
Blake and Chris depart, and they share a moment of tenderness at an inn. Blake hesitates over whether to sell the glove, choosing instead to value Chris above the fortune. They decide to head to Monte Carlo separately to avoid capture, but plan to reunite later. Blake instructs Chris to seek out Rona in the casino that evening and to contact Faubert to bring his men to the church so that Rona can be caught with the glove.
On the road toward the church, Blake hides as Rona’s men pass by in a car. The trail leads him along the goat track toward the village; he races to stay ahead of the armed pursuers and barely reaches the church. Up in the bell tower, he slips out of his jacket and tosses it toward Rona, provoking a standoff as one of Rona’s men fires. A second shot hits Rona, and Blake begins to ring the bells, forcing the attackers to flee and drawing the priest and villagers back to the church. The opening scene returns as the glove is restored to its proper place, and Blake slips away through a back door.
The police arrive to a scene that confirms Blake’s innocence: Chris has been found with Pepe, and Faubert notes that Rona’s men have been captured with one confession. Blake and Chris walk away hand in hand, with the church bells once again ringing, signaling a quiet victory and the end of the danger that had loomed over the city.
The Green Glove Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Gauntlet returns; bells ring in the teaser” to “Aftermath; clearance and reunion”. 12 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Gauntlet returns; bells ring in the teaser
The teaser shows the gauntlet being returned to the church, triggering bells that are not supposed to ring yet. The priest hurries to the church, finds a dead man, and climbs the bell tower where the bells ring without someone actively ringing them. The gauntlet is found back in its place, and a jacket bearing a Los Angeles designer tag hints the dead man is Blake, the only American in the story.
When:Teaser Where:St. Elzear Church, village
- 2
Blake meets Rona; the valise and the glove
Blake, an American paratrooper, is trapped behind enemy lines when he meets Count Paul Rona, who carries a mysterious valise. Rona pretends to be a reporter, then reveals he is an art dealer and offers the bejeweled green glove for Blake's freedom. A bomb drops from a plane, the blast knocks Blake unconscious and knocks the valise from Rona's hands, and Rona runs away, leaving Blake's fate uncertain.
When:Morning Where:German-occupied ruins
- 3
Blake is rescued; taken to the Countess's château
Blake is brought to the Countess’s château with Armond and Pierre. Armond promises to alert the Americans about a coming German attack, but dies trying to get word out, revealing that the supposed attack was a deception by Rona. The Countess is left in shock, and Pierre shows Blake the valise, which Blake assumes is his; Blake decides to leave the valise there, and Pierre agrees to keep it for Blake to retrieve later.
When:Following rescue; morning after Where:Countess's château
- 4
Blake travels to Paris; headlong pursuit begins
Several years pass and Blake travels to Paris to retrieve the glove. A man trails him, and on the Eiffel Tower he enlists help from Chris Kenneth, a tour guide who is giving a tour. That night they meet in a nightclub and Chris becomes involved with Blake's quest, forming an uneasy partnership.
When:A few years later Where:Paris; Eiffel Tower; nightclub
- 5
Faubert questions Blake; Blake departs
Blake and Chris encounter a dead man in Blake's hotel room who bears a drawing of Blake, linking him to the incident in Paris. Inspector Faubert questions Blake and wants to speak again, but Blake learns Faubert will be out of town for five days and decides to leave town, leaving a note for Faubert explaining his actions.
When:Evening after Eiffel Tower meeting Where:Paris; Blake's hotel room
- 6
Train-station chase; Pepe's hit
Blake is tailed to the train station by the police; Chris boards the train to stay with him. The tailing policeman is suddenly shot by Pepe, a henchman of Rona, allowing Blake and Chris to escape the immediate danger and continue their journey.
When:On the way from Paris Where:French rail network; train
- 7
Rona waits at the Countess's château
Blake and Chris arrive at the Countess's château only to find it damaged and deserted; Rona is waiting there and reveals that he had Blake watched in the States. He claims the dead man Blake found in his hotel room worked for him and demands the glove, insisting he will have Blake's cooperation.
When:Shortly after Paris arrival Where:Countess's château
- 8
Pepe fight and Faubert arrives too late
Blake clashes with Pepe and makes his escape with Chris. Faubert arrives with a group of officers, but arrives too late to catch Blake, Chris, or Rona, allowing the trio to slip away for the moment.
When:Moment after confrontation with Rona Where:Countess's château
- 9
Valise retrieved; the gauntlet is revealed
Pierre reveals he has kept the valise and hands it to Blake, who opens it to reveal the green glove. The Countess recognizes the glove as the gauntlet of St. Elzear, drops to her knees in reverence, and faints. When she recovers, she understands that Armond is dead and the mystery begins to resolve.
When:After glove retrieval Where:Small house near the château
- 10
Blake chooses love over money; plan to return the glove
Blake decides to value his relationship with Chris over the glove's monetary value. The plan is to return the glove to the church; Chris is to locate Rona in the casino and call Faubert to mobilize the police so Rona can be captured at the church with the glove.
When:Between Paris and Monte Carlo Where:Inn; Monte Carlo; casino; church
- 11
Final pursuit; confession and ring of the bells
Blake trails Rona along the goat track to the village and slips into the church, climbing the bell tower as Rona closes in. A tense exchange ends with Rona being shot by Blake, the bells are rung to signal his victory, and the glove is left in its proper place as the priest and villagers rush to the scene.
When:Final confrontation Where:Goat track to village; church
- 12
Aftermath; clearance and reunion
The police arrive and Chris emerges from Faubert's car to embrace Blake. Faubert confirms that Rona's men have been captured and one has confessed, clearing Blake's name. Blake and Chris walk away together as the church bells ring again, symbolizing a restored peace.
When:Immediate aftermath Where:Church; village
Who Are the Main Characters in The Green Glove?
8 characters, among them Mike Blake (Glenn Ford), Count Paul Rona and The Countess: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 5 of them link to the actor’s page.
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Mike Blake (Glenn Ford)
Played by Glenn Ford
An American paratrooper who navigates danger with resourcefulness and courage. He is initially entangled with the glove’s value but grows toward protecting Chris and doing what is right. His decisions drive the pursuit, combining wit with physical daring.
- 🧭 Resourceful
- 🛡️ Brave
- CP
Count Paul Rona
Played by George Macready
A manipulative art dealer and antagonist who uses the bejeweled glove to control Blake and outmaneuver his rivals. He is calculating, smooth-talking, and ruthless in pursuing the glove’s fortune. His scheming creates the central conflict of the story.
- 🧠 Cunning
- 🗡️ Ruthless
- TC
The Countess
Played by Jany Holt
A graceful, yet traumatized woman who welcomes Blake into her home. Her sanity is shaken by past events, but the glove’s restoration mysteriously revives her faculties. She embodies a mix of vulnerability and reverence for the relic.
- 💔 Tragic
- 🕊️ Fragile
- C'
Christine 'Chris' Kenneth
Played by Geraldine Brooks
A tour guide who becomes Blake’s ally and love interest. She exhibits quick thinking and loyalty, helping navigate danger and uncover truth. Her bond with Blake strengthens as they confront the danger together.
- ❤️ Loyal
- 🗺️ Adventurous
- IF
Inspector Faubert
Played by Roger Tréville
A determined police inspector who tracks Blake and pieces together the case. He represents authority and persistence, gradually moving toward an understanding of Blake’s innocence. His involvement heightens the tension between pursuit and justice.
- 🕵️♂️ Persistent
- 🧩 Analytical
- A
Armond
A young man who promises to alert the Americans about the impending attack. He sacrifices to help, but his death underscores the high stakes of wartime communication and loyalty.
- 🤝 Loyal
- 🗝️ Selfless
- P(
Pierre (the Countess's butler)
The Countess’s trusted servant who first shows Blake the valuable valise and later handles the glove’s trajectory. He remains a quiet, dependable presence who aids in the unfolding drama.
- 🏯 Dependable
- 🗝️ Discreet
- P
Pepe
A henchman on Rona’s side, tasked with pursuing Blake. He participates in the chase and escalation of danger, illustrating the darker side of Rona’s network.
- 🗡️ Aggressive
- 🕷️ Calculating
Where and When Is The Green Glove Set?
The Green Glove is set in German-occupied territory, Paris, Monte Carlo, Countess's château and St. (World War II era). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
World War II era
The narrative begins with American forces behind enemy lines during the war. A few years later, the action moves to postwar Paris as Blake pursues the glove again. The timeline juxtaposes wartime deception with a hopeful, romance-infused pursuit, tying past conflicts to present loyalties.
Where
German-occupied territory, Paris, Monte Carlo, Countess's château, St. Elzear Church
The story moves across war-torn landscapes and elegant European locales. It opens in a German-occupied area with ruined buildings, then shifts to the refined streets of Paris, and later to Monte Carlo and a countryside château. A crucial bell-tower church and its sacred glove anchor the plot, linking war, faith, and fortune as the glove is returned to its rightful place.
- 🗺️ War-torn Europe
- 🏰 French locales
- 🚂 Travel & pursuit
- 🔔 Bells & relics
What Are the Themes of The Green Glove?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Redemption, Greed and Deception.
-
01
Redemption
The central arc traces Blake’s shift from a money-driven quest to a higher moral choice. The glove’s rightful place in the church symbolizes atonement and restoration. As truths emerge, characters confront their past actions and choose integrity over easy profit.
-
02
Greed
Rona’s manipulation hinges on the glove’s immense value, turning art and relics into bargaining chips. Wealth and possession drive dangerous schemes that threaten innocent lives. The Countess’s reaction to the glove also mirrors how desire can corrupt or redeem, depending on the context of its return.
-
03
Deception
The plot is built on layered deceptions: wartime ruses, misdirections about attacks, and the misperceptions that trail Blake. Characters improvise to control outcomes, testing trust and loyalty. The climax relies on unmasking lies to restore justice.
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04
Love & Loyalty
Blake’s bond with Chris evolves from mutual attraction to a partnership rooted in trust. Their romance acts as a counterweight to the glint of wealth and the chase for the glove. In the end, loyalty and love take precedence over fortune, guiding them toward a shared future.
What Kind of Film Is The Green Glove?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A steady-paced, tense post-war thriller that follows a dangerous cross-country chase and a blossoming romance, creating an anxious yet hopeful atmosphere with moments of emotional weight.
- suspenseful
- anxious
- romantic
- chasing
- dangerous
- post-war
- post-war intrigue
- treasure hunt
- crime investigation
- dangerous romance
Content notes: murder, wartime violence.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Green Glove? Test yourself on the story.
