Walter drops by and informs him that Kristine's job is really at a sleazy nightclub, where Eddie finds her, to his fury. Eddie refuses, but he is unable to secure another job or collect unemployment, prompting Kristine to begin working as a waitress. Meanwhile, Eddie's brother Walter, head of a criminal gang, attempts to recruit him for a final heist, offering him $50,000 for one night's work.

Eddie nonetheless loses his job because of the arrest. When a shopkeeper is killed in a robbery, he is convinced it is again Eddie, but the witness insists otherwise. Since Eddie's release from prison, Vido has harassed him and gotten him fired from numerous jobs. Despite only having seen the shooter's eyes, he is sure that it was Eddie. The detective, Mike Vido, remains bitter over being shot six years ago during an unsolved robbery.

Much to his chagrin, he also has a vengeful police detective (Heflin) and estranged brother (Palance) complicating his life. Plot Įx-convict Eddie Pedak (Delon) tries to lead a normal life in San Francisco with a loving wife Kristine (Ann-Margret), a daughter, and a steady job. Nelson won the OCIC award at the 1965 San Sebastián International Film Festival for the film. The movie was known in France as Les tueurs de San Francisco. It was written by Zekial Marko, based on his 1961 novel Scratch a Thief. Once a Thief is a 1965 crime film directed by Ralph Nelson and starring Alain Delon, Ann-Margret, Van Heflin and Jack Palance.

Once thief