Hot Rocks, Cool Plots

You could say that ice is a hot topic this fall.

Before this movie year winds down, there will be no fewer than three films built at least in part around jewelry heists: "Don't Say a Word," "Heist"and "The Affair of the Necklace."

Not all these tales of jewel theft focus on diamonds, of course. The occasional ruby, emerald or pearl finds its way into the mix.

But no matter what the gem, jewelry heists hold a unique place in films. True, like bank jobs or art heists, the jewel robbery requires meticulous planning. All three are about getting paid in a big way, although the jewel thief and art thief often share a fondness for the aesthetic of their target, aside from its resale value. They're not just in it for the cash.

As we looked at a short selection of the better jewel-heist films, a pattern began to emerge. Think about it when this year's models arrive in theaters.

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Movie: "The Pink Panther" (1964).

Thief: The Phantom, a.k.a. Sir Charles Litton (David Niven).

The target: The Pink Panther, a diamond with a flaw that "resembles an animal--a panther, a pink panther."

How big: Not quite the size of a fist.

Where it's being kept: In a safe in the Swiss villa of Princess Dala (Claudia Cardinale).

Why they want it: It is "the most fabulous diamond in all the world."

Diversion: Sir Charles faking a ski injury and using a cane to hide his agility.

Major obstacle: Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers), who doesn't catch the thief but does steal the movie.

Before he can finally claim the jewel: Sir Charles must both cuckold and frame Inspector Clouseau--neither of which is much of a challenge.

Eccentric sidekick: Robert Wagner as Sir Charles' smarmy American nephew, George, who begins chasing the same women Sir Charles does.

A thief's philosophy: None--but he does leave a glove with a large monogrammed P at the site of each theft.

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Movie: "Topkapi" (1964).

Thief: Elizabeth Lipp (Melina Mercouri) and Walter Harper (Maximilian Schell).

The target: "The four greatest emeralds the world has ever known, encrusted in a dagger."

How big: Comparable to a small hunting knife.

Where it's being kept: The Topkapi Museum in Istanbul.

Why they want it: The emeralds match Mercouri's eyes.

Diversion: Figuring out why the characters played by heavily accented Mercouri and Schell have such white-bread American names.