To Catch a Thief (1955)

Thanks for the memories!

Beautiful, moving film.

A Disappointing Continuation

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

I first saw this film when I was a teenager; I didn't care for it very much because I did not understand the plot, thought Grant was too old to be cat burglar, and thought the film was snobbish. But upon further reflection with a more mature outlook, I find this film to be wonderful. The story of a rich, spoiled American blond falling in love with a tall, dark handsome cat burglar is just too good to resist. There was no actor in the world in the last fifty years with as much panache as Cary Grant, and few actresses who were more beautiful and sexy than Grace Kelly. Putting them together creates the fireworks that are lampooned by Hitch in one of the scenes. The first kiss at Grace's door absolutely must be one of the hottest five kisses in the history of cinema; and that is a lot of kisses. Highly recommended.

Stunning colour in HD, a simple plot with hammy acting typical of a Hitchcock movie. But who cares when you've got Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in wonderful settings on the Riviera. If you like classic cars there are some beauties although how a Citroen Big Six with five up can catch Grant solo in a Delahaye 135 beats me. Hitchcock was never very worried about detail. If you enjoy nostalgia you'll love this film

This is probably one of the lighter films of Hitchcock's. The main subject matter isn't intense in nature, compared to "Bate's Motel," or "Rear Window," for example. Aside from the sweeping vistas that this film takes time to really highlight in its long takes, the lighting at night and the "Worms eye view," (that pop up occasionally toward the end) are really some moments where you can really appreciate what your watching. Looking at this after having learned something about film, I can definitely appreciate both the physical color and the mood that is created through a combination of setting, and dialogue (or lack of it, at times,). Overall; maybe not the best example of what Hitchcock is capable of, but a really enjoyable film with a great cast. Not a bad way to be introduced to his films if this is the first one you or another person are seeing. Not to mention that the ending is pretty surprising, and chances of just guessing what will happen correctly right out of the gate is very slim. Something that movies made now can sometimes lack.

John Robie, an American living on the French Riviera, is in a spot of bother. Before the war he was an infamous jewel thief, known as 'The Cat' but after serving in the resistance he has been allowed to live in peace… that is until somebody starts committing near identical robberies. The police and his former associates, who are trying to go straight, believe he has returned to his old ways while he protests his innocence. To prove his innocence he meets with insurance agent H. H. Hughson and comes up with an unusual proposition; if Hughson gives him a list of his wealthy clients and the value of the jewellery he will figure out who the 'New Cat' will strike against… of course if Robie has returned to his old life such a list would be invaluable.He soon picks a name on the list, a wealthy American woman, and goes about befriending her and her beautiful daughter Frances. Inevitably he grows close to Frances but there are a couple of complications; Danielle Foussard, the daughter of an old friend, is flirting with him and Frances soon figures out who he really is.This is one of Hitchcock's lighter films; it may be set against a background of crime but it is still a romance at heart. Cary Grant does a fine job as Robie, he may be rather old compared to his female co-stars but not to such a degree that it any relationship seems unbelievable… especially as he is posing as a wealthy man. Grace Kelly is fun as Danielle; beautiful but with a dangerous streak and Brigitte Auber brings a different sort of sexiness to the role of Danielle. We are also treated to fine performances from John Williams as Hughson and Jessie Royce Landis as Danielle's mother. There are plenty of amusing moments and a few twists and turns before the identity of the thief is exposed in a thrilling roof-top finale. We are also treated to frequent views of the beautiful scenery of the Riviera. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting a film with a bit of mystery, a bit of action, lots of great scenery, a good looking cast, a little romance and a decent number of laughs; all without anything that could be considered offensive.