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![]() [Larger view] | To Catch a Thief
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Mayhem and Mystery in Monte Carlo. | |
| Delightful little Hitchcock movie and one of Grace Kellys last prior to her marriage.Filmed entirely on location in Monaco.Also starring Cary Grant in one of his more athletically challenging roles. Great scene at the start where John Robie escorts a supposedly frigid Frances Stevens to her hotel room and she thanks him with a long open mouthed kiss. Jessie Royce Landis gets all the good lines as Kellys wealthy but down-to-earth alcoholic mama."...do you mind if I have you investigated Mr Robie,youre just too good to be true..." Besides all the quick dialogue theres some great photography of the riviera in the mid 1950's before the serious tourist dollars moved in.A shady place for shady characters Somerset Maugham used to say and it was here also that Grace Kelly was introduced to the young Prince Rainier who was smitten...the rest is history. Not one of the masters best efforts but a fun movie all the same. | |
Slick and Masterful: Hitchcock's caper comes off a cropper | |
| John Robie (Cary Grant) has a big problem: no one will believe he is innocent of a string of jewel robberies on the French Riviera. Grace Kelly plays Francie Stevens, an American tourist who doesn't know whether to kiss or kick John. On thing's for certain: she's going to get to the bottom of things. Hitchcock's outstanding chase flick is blessed with sharp dialogue, marvelous locations, stellar casting and a really solid screenplay. Unfortunately, all are marred by a rather shoddy transfer from Paramount Home Video. Though colors are rich, they are not well balanced and are sometimes extremely muddy. Contrast and shadow deliniation are rather low. Digital and film grain intrude and distract. At least the film is presented in its original VistaVision 1:85:1 aspect ratio. Included are several featurettes, one on the film, another on Hitchcock and one on resident costume designer, Edith Head. A stills gallery and theatrical trailers top out this offering. Bottom line: The movie is worth its weight in gold. The same can't be said for its digital transfer. | |
With Class and Grace | |
| 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.. |