Written by John Michael Hayes
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
John Robie: "For what it's worth, I never stole from anybody who would go hungry."
What can I say? I was in the mood for a Cary Grant movie and went with this one he did with Alfred Hitchcock and Grace Kelly. I made a good choice here.
A romance meets crime thriller in which Cary Grant was well cast as retired cat burglar John "The Cat" Robie. Although it turned out that John didn't like that nickname or the black cat who frequently appeared in the film.
John was also less keen on the fact that he was being framed for a string of new burglaries that lacked his panache. He was eager to clear his name and avoid the police. He also happened to be paired with a beautiful blonde woman.
This would be where Grace Kelly stepped in. The daughter of a rich widow, Frances Stevens was quite the cool customer for John. They flirted like mad and maddened each other at different points. They clearly had feelings but almost their mutual pride sabotage themselves to boot.
There was also the complication of Danielle Foussard (Brigette Arbur). She had her own complex history with John and there's a display of jealousy when both Danielle and Frances share a first meeting with John caught in the middle of both women. It's a simmering but slightly underdeveloped love triangle between the three of them.
Then there's a masquerade ball that almost saw the downfall of the Cat himself. John nearly got the better made of him before the real Cat of the piece. I don't think the reveal was too shocking or even their motives but it did work well enough as a resolution to clearing John's name.
- The movie was based on a book of the same name by David Dodge.
- Jessie Royce Landis who played Frances's wealthy mother, Jessie had some genuinely brilliant lines. A delightful foil for both John and Frances.
- Cary Grant initially retired from acting before being cast in this film.
- Chronology: Set in the French Riviera. John's former gang were called the French Resistance. He was likened to Robin Hood at one point in the film.
To Catch A Thief is a playful and romantic thriller. It's sexy, flirty and funny in parts. Both Cary Grant and Grace Kelly are on such a fantastic form. I'd highly recommend this one.
Rating: 8 out of 10
