To Catch a Thief

Rating:
Summary: One of Hitchcock's best films
Review: "When people ask me who my favorite actress is, who my favorite actor is, who my favorite director is, and what my favorite film is, I tell them to watch To Catch a Thief (1955) and they'll get all the answers"--Costume designer Edith Head. (Edith Head's Hollywood. E.P. Dutton, 1983, p. 109)

Rating:
Summary: With Class and Grace
Review: To Catch A Thief marks a departure for director Alfred Hitchcock. Here, he sheds the moniker as The Master Of Suspense, going more for romance and comedy--rather than any of his well known plot twists or thrills. The film may not be the best of his career, but thanks to a strong leading man and a radiant leading lady the movie still works.

John Robie, (Cary Grant) is a reformed cat burglar, out to prove himself innocent of a recent crime spree. As he tries to capture the thief who's terrifying the French Riviera, he attracts the attention of the lovely Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly), a wealthy and spoiled American traveling the Riviera with her widowed mother (Jessie Royce Landis). However, things do not begin on a romantic note. Robie is more interested in clearing his name than in pursuing the beautiful American, but the two will not go their separate ways so easily. When Mrs. Stevens has her jewels stolen, the snubbed Frances puts the police on Robie's trail. Now the dashing Robie will have to win the confidence and assistance of Frances if he is to ever set things right.

Grant and Kelly light up the screen together, with an entrancing chemistry that sparkles, especially in the impromptu ad-libbed dialogue of the picnic scene. A series of elaborate set pieces combined with the spectacularc Riviera scenery make the film an enduring piece of American cinema. Hitchcock lets his leads pick up for any of the film's lack of excitement, that traditionally peppers the director's films. I have always had a "crush" on the late Grace Kelly, and this film just helps to solidify those feelings.

The DVD contains three well produced making of featurettes. "Writing and Casting," "The Making of To Catch a Thief," and "Alfred Hitchcock and To Catch a Thief", will give you a well rounded look at the film. But things would have worked out even better if these were edited together as one larger whole. Long time Hitchcock collaborator, costumer Edith Head, is highlighted in a fourth featurette, that also tops off the disc's bonus material.

To Catch A Thief is recommended for any Hitchcock fan..

Rating:
Summary: It takes a thief to catch a thief
Review: Years ago John Robie (Cary Grant) decided that it was better to live rich than poor. So he became a joule thief. He was pretty good at his trade. His ability and modus operandi of sneaking along roof tops gave him the title of "The Cat". However he a war came up and he was an iatrical art of the resistance. This and the promise to give up his thieving ways allowed him to go free and enjoy the proceeds from his ill-gotten ways.

Well it looks like "The Cat" has stuck again. Robie can only clear himself by finding the "Copy Cat." To help he enlists some old friends, an insurance investigator, and some new friends/or maybe victims.

So did he really do it and trying to blame it on someone else?
Why would anyone after all these years want to frame him?

This movie can become a favorite as even when you know the outcome you will watch it again for the action and interaction of the different characters. Then you will also look for clues that are now obvious but missed the first time.



Rating:
Summary: An underrated, atmospheric classic
Review: "To catch a thief" is one of Hitchcock's less heralded efforts. On the surface, it is easy to see why. The film's plot is simple, the tone is light and the suspense sequences are sporadic. But nonetheless, there is plenty here to enjoy. The film benefits from Hitchcock's usual visual meticulousness and style as he utilizes the french backdrop to produce some truly elegant and picturesque compositions. While Grant's and Kelly's sardonic yet charismatic performances are a major asset to this charming, low-key thriller. Hitchcock also imbues the film with an undertone of social commentary about class conflicts and their effects, while the climactic set-piece that takes place on the roof tops at night, is pure Hitchcock suspense ingenuity. Although the film may be a bit leisurely paced for some, it does pay off at the end to sit through it, as it is a very enjoyable and compelling film experience.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, lightweight Hitchcock with great bonus features
Review: To Catch a Thief, though widely regarded as one of Alfred Hitchcock's minor works, benefits from extensive location shooting in the south of France, and of course, the luminous quality of its two leads. It's a worthwhile romantic thriller with plenty of light moments, and certainly one of the most colorful films of his career.

But the real attraction to die-hard Hitchcock fans is a brief but fascinating featurette, narrated by the director's daughter and granddaughter, which (much like the movie itself) shows a lighter side of Hitchcock. Home movies of Hitch playing with his kids, horsing around on sets, etc. provide a unique glimpse into his family life. There is also a very well-done documentary on the film itself, and another short featurette on frequent Hitchcock wardrobe designer Edith Head.

No Hitchcock fan should be without this well-done DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie-awful print
Review: If you love To Catch A Theif, don't buy this DVD. It's one of my all time favorite films. But the image quality on this print is terrible. Either the studio spent no money on restoration, or the print they had to work with was so far gone due to age, that good image quality is hopeless. Get the VHS. It looks great.

Rating:
Summary: With Class and Grace
Review: To Catch A Thief marks a departure for director Alfred Hichcock. Here, he sheds the moniker as The Master Of Suspense, going more for romance and comedy--rather than any of his well known plot twists or thrills. The film may not be the best of his career, but thanks to a strong leading man and a radiant leading lady the movie still works.

John Robie, (Cary Grant) is a reformed cat burglar, out to prove himself innocent of a recent crime spree. As he tries to capture the thief who's terrifying the French Riviera, he attracts the attention of the lovely Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly), a wealthy and spoiled American traveling the Riviera with her widowed mother (Jessie Royce Landis). However, things do not begin on a romantic note. Robie is more interested in clearing his name than in pursuing the beautiful American, but the two will not go their separate ways so easily. When Mrs. Stevens has her jewels stolen, the snubbed Frances puts the police on Robie's trail. Now the dashing Robie will have to win the confidence and assistance of Frances if he is to ever set things right.

Grant and Kelly light up the screen together, with an entrancing chemistry that sparkles, especially in the impromptu ad-libbed dialogue of the picnic scene. A series of elaborate set pieces combined with the spectacularc Riviera scenery make the film an enduring piece of American cinema. Hitchcock lets his leads pick up for any of the film's lack of excitement, that traditionally peppers the director's films. I have always had a "crush" on the late Grace Kelly, and this film just helps to solidify those feelings.

The DVD contains three well produced making of featurettes. "Writing and Casting," "The Making of To Catch a Thief," and "Alfred Hitchcock and To Catch a Thief", will give you a well rounded look at the film. But things would have worked out even better if these were edited together as one larger whole. Long time Hitchcock collaborator, costumer Edith Head, is highlighted in a fourth featurette, that looks at her work at Paramount studios. A photo/publicity gallery and the vintage theatrical trailer tops off the disc's bonus material.

To Catch A Thief is recommended for any Hitchcock fan.

Rating:
Summary: A Hitchcock romantic mystery
Review: Cary Grant and Grace Kelly are funny and witty and they keep you involved in the story. Not what I expected from Alfred Hitchcock, but it was a great movie none the less.

Rating:
Summary: So-so Hitchcock jewel caper
Review: As a connoisseur of Hitchcock's work, To Catch a Thief was merely adequate. Lacking any real suspense, the movie was held together by the excellent cinematography offered by the picturesque French Rivera locale.

Cary Grant was at his suave and debonair best as John Robie, a retired cat burgular who is suspected when a rash of jewel thefts plagues the swanky Riviera. Realizing, he must apprehend the actual thief, whose m.o. parallels his own, he plots a scheme.

Grace Kelly, whose acting ability does not rival her beauty, plays a perfectly typecasted role for her. As a spoiled, bored, rich socialite Frances Stevens, she and her wealthy but earthy mother, played exceptionally well by Jessie Royce Landis are vacationing. The elder Mrs. Stevens has a valuable collection of jewelery that Grant theorizes would make excellent bait.

Hitchcocks creates a predictable plot, with the usual love affair. There is however, little in the way of mystery or tension or even chemistry between Kelly and Grant to make this flick anything more than mediocre. Edith Head provides a high point with her fantastic wardrobes created for the costume ball scene.