The crucialness of Grace Kelly cannot be stated enough. As a young man, Grant was an acrobat – and his agility through the tile roofs is perfectly feline. At 50, Cary Grant was considering retiring prior to shooting this film and was convinced by Hitchcock to sign on to play John Robie who is himself retiring. The film is imbued by a melancholic and cynical tone. And there’s the memorable final ball – with the unmasking of the thief in the rooftop. The censors wanted this cheeky section trimmed. The dinner in Francie’s hotel suite is phenomenal – filled with double-entendres – a spellbinding shot of her face is in the shadows and the focus on her neck and jewels and dress make it appear as if her body was headless – followed by one of the most unforgettable kisses – intercut with fireworks. The serpentine car chase is terrifically edited and manages to be exciting, suspenseful and humorous all at once. Hitchcock delivers great visual sequences. Her face resembles his – her hair is parted on the right. Please note how Robie wears a blue striped shirt on the boat ride from Nice to Cannes – and Danielle – the young girl who’s transporting him is wearing a red striped feminine version. There is a symmetry and balance as well as an unbalance to the way things are presented. As Robie plots to entrap the culprit – he’s unaware that his object of attraction is also scheming and has been making chess moves. You also have the dominant mother character and the icy blonde. There is the theme of identity – and interchangeability. Like other Hitchcock narratives – you have a main character who’s been wrongly accused and has to prove his innocence. There is a lot to appreciate in the precision of this filmmaking. He zeroes in on wealthy American vacationer Jesse Stevens and his daughter Francie (Grace Kelly.) The mother is as brash and outspoken as the off-spring is “quietly attractive.” Needless to say, Robie will fall in love with the latter – and Francie will volunteer to aid in the sleuth. He gets a list of people who own the most expensive jewelry in the area – because they’re bound to be the next victims. When robberies done in his style start occurring – he’s forced to take action and catch the thief. He and his colleagues were pardoned because of their courageous work during the French resistance. John Robie (Cary Grant) – known as “The Cat” – has now retired and is living on a villa on the French Riviera.
Well reality check – lesser Hitchcock is still very high quality, and it goes down smoothly – like a glass of champagne. Some critics refer to this splendid concoction as lesser Hitchcock. I have no other option than to yield – and succumb to its charms. It’s breezy fun, it has two perfectly matched gorgeous stars in Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, the Cote D’azur, diamonds, gorgeous costumes designed by Edith Head – and you’re in the hands of a master storyteller who’s doing the fast, wind in your hair winding driving. There’s such a laissez faire attitude in “To Catch a Thief” (1955) that has made it for me the perfect go-to Hitchcock serum to cure me from any of those control blues. The Harbor Theater is at 185 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor.It’s hard to grapple with the notion that I can’t control things – and that’s been the hardest thing for me to deal with the past few months.
“It literally bubbles with humor, spice, sparkling dialogue and baffling complications which keep the moviegoer on tenterhooks right up to the heap big surprise ending.” – Orlando Sentinel John goes on the lam to catch the thief and clear his own name. When her jewels are stolen, Francie suspects John, destroying their tentative romance. Armed with a list of people who own the most expensive jewels currently in the area, John begins following the first owner, young Francie (Grace Kelly).
#To catch a thief series
When a series of robberies is committed in his style, John must clear his name. Notorious cat burglar John Robie (Cary Grant) has long since retired to tend vineyards on the French Riviera. Come early to pick up your trivia sheet to read before the film. This is the fourth in the classic film series, and once again Professor Jon Cavallero of Bates College will give us a short introductory video before the film with insights into the history and production of Alfred Hitchcock’s romantic thriller. Proof of vaccination is required at the ticket counter and masks must be worn except when eating or drinking. It’s rated PG and run time is 1 hour, 46 minutes. Harbor Theater’s Classic Film Series, ‘Hitchcock’s Best,” continues with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly playing cat and mouse on the French Riviera! What could be better to get in the mood for Valentine’s Day? Now celebrating its 67th year, “To Catch a Thief” is still as beautiful and romantic as ever.
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