To Catch a Thief (1955)

When a reformed jewel thief is suspected of returning to his former occupation, he must ferret out the real thief in order to prove his innocence.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

John Michael Hayes (screenplay), David Dodge (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis

Won 1 Oscar. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Cary Grant	...	John Robie
Grace Kelly	...	Frances Stevens
Jessie Royce Landis	...	Jessie Stevens
John Williams	...	H.H. Hughson
Charles Vanel	...	Bertani
Brigitte Auber	...	Danielle Foussard
Jean Martinelli	...	Foussard
Georgette Anys	...	Germaine

Storyline

American expatriate John Robie living in high style on the Riviera is a retired cat burglar. He must find out who a copy cat is to keep a new wave of jewel thefts from being pinned on him. High on the list of prime victims is Jessie Stevens, in Europe to help daughter Frances find a suitable husband. The Lloyds of London insurance agent is using a thief to catch a thief. Take an especially close look at scene where Robie gets Jessie's attention, dropping an expensive casino chip down the décolletage of a French roulette player.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | thief | burglar | french riviera | reckless driving | 

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Taglines:

For a moment he forgets he's a thief--and she forgets she's a lady!

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Genres:

Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some action violence, mild suggestive material and smoking

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

5 August 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief

Filming Locations:

335 Route de Saint-Jeannet, St Jeannet, France

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$8,750,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When everyone is reading the newspaper and Mrs. Stevens says, "Everyone in Philadelphia reads the Bulletin," it's a reference to a long-running ad campaign for that newspaper. The ads were cartoons that showed something extraordinary going on -- in a light-hearted vein -- but no one sees it because they are all holding the newspaper in front of them. There is always one person who is not reading the Bulletin and trying frantically to get the attention of all the other people. The caption was always the same, "Nearly everyone in Philadelphia reads the Bulletin."

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Goofs

When John Robie and H.H. Hughson are having lunch together at the villa, the hand of Robie is under the table when we see his back and on the table when we see his face.

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Quotes

Frances Stevens: I've never caught a jewel thief before. It's stimulating. It's like... It's like...
John Robie: Like sitting in a hot tub?

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Connections

Referenced in Endeavour: Sway (2014)

User Reviews

Brilliant thriller-comedy with an exceptional main couple : Grant and Kelly

Enjoyable and riveting comedy-thriller by master of suspense , the great Alfred Hitchcock .On the French Riviera a retired jewel thief nicknamed ¨The Cat¨ (Gary Grant) falling for a gorgeous American girl (Grace Kelly), a high society woman accompanied by her mother (Jessie Royce Landis) , she suspects he's up to his old jobs when a rash of jewel thefts happen. While newspapers publicize ¨The Cat prowls again¨. Then the reformed thief attempting to chase his impersonator .

This elegant film contains suspense , emotion , mystery , and a wonderful love story . And of course full of distinctive Hitchcockian touches with red-herrings , dead-end trails and some typical jokes. Based on the novel by David Dodge , being well adapted by John Michael Hayes who writes a snappy dialog . Marvelous performances from main cast as Gary Grant as smooth and likable thief who returns his old tricks and wonderful , icely effective Grace Kelly whose coldness is gradually melted . Grace Kelly met husband Prince Rainero of Monaco during a photo shop while she was attending the Cannes Film Festival . Both of whom form a sensational couple with sparkling chemical . Furthermore , good secondary cast as the young girl Brigitte Auber and the veterans Jessie Royce Landis and Charles Vanel and of course John Williams who appears nicely dressed in black and posing as servant of two glamorous ladies in a bizarre , fancy costume ball with policeman awkwardly masquerading . There's a magnificent car pursuit throughout the Grand Corniche located on a Riviera hilltop road and shot from a helicopter. Deservedly Oscar-winning cinematography by Robert Buks , Hitch's usual, as he photographed ¨Strangers in a train¨ , ¨The Birds¨ and ¨Marnie¨ . Luxurious Oscar-nominating costumes by Edith Head and splendidly created for Grace Kelly . Spectacular and colorful scenarios with excellent production design by Hal Pereira also nominated to Academy Award , and outdoors filmed in French Riviera , Monaco , Cannes ,and Grand Corniche . Lively and jolly musical score by Lyn Murray. The motion picture is colorfully and stunningly directed by the genius Hitch . Rating : Above average , this Hitchcock effort proved to be as successful as his former popular movies.