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Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jesse Royce Landis, John Williams (II), Charles Vanel ... see more see more... , Brigitte Auber , Jean Martinelli , Georgette Anys , John Alderson , Martha Bamattre , René Blancard , Eugene Borden , Nina Borget , Margaret Brewster , Lewis Charles , Frank Chelland , William "Wee Willie" Davis , Dominique Davray , Russell Gaige , Steven Geray , Jean Hebey , Gladys Holland , Bela Kovacs , Jeanne Lafayette , Roland Le Saffre , Louis Mercier , Alberto Morin , Paul Newlan , Barry Norton , George Paris , Leonard Penn , Albert Pollet , Cosmo Sardo , Otto F. Schulzs , Adele St. Maur , Marie Stoddard , Philip Van Zandt , Guy de Vestel , Eddie LeBaron & His Orchestra , George Nardelli , Manuel Paris , Loulette Sablon , George Adrian , Michael Hadlow , Don Megowan

A jewel thief is at large on the Riviera, and all evidence points to retired cat burglar Cary Grant. Escaping the law, Grant heads to the Cote D'Azur, where he is greeted with hostility by his old par... read more read more...tners in crime. All of them had been pardoned due to their courageous activities in the wartime Resistance, and all are in danger of arrest thanks to this new crime wave. But Grant pleads innocence, and vows to find out who's been copying his distinctive style. With the reluctant aid of detective John Williams, Grant launches his investigation by keeping tabs on the wealthiest vacationers on the Riviera. One such person is heavily bejeweled Jessie Royce Landis, who is as brash and outspoken as her daughter Grace Kelly is quiet and demure. But "still waters run deep," as they say, and soon Kelly is amorously pursuing the far-from-resistant Grant. Part of Kelly's attraction to Grant is the possibility that he is the thief; the prospect of danger really turns this gal on. Being Cary Grant, of course, he can't possibly be guilty, which is proven in due time. But by film's end, it's obvious that Kelly has fallen hard for Grant, crook or no crook. Occasionally written off as a lesser Alfred Hitchcock film (did we really need that third-act fashion show?), To Catch a Thief is actually as enjoyable and engaging now as it was 40 years ago. Though the Riviera location photography is pleasing, our favorite scene takes place in a Paramount Studios mockup of a luxury hotel suite, where Grant and Kelly make love while a fireworks display orgasmically erupts outside their window. And who could forget the scene where Jessie Royce Landis disdainfully stubs out a cigarette in an expensive plate of eggs? Adapted by frequent Hitchcock collaborator John Michael Hayes from a novel by David Dodge To Catch a Thief won an Academy Award for cinematographer Robert Burks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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63% want to see it

49,139 ratings

Critics

97% liked it

33 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

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DVD Release Date: March 24, 2009

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Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens On the set Cary Grant as John Robie (The Cat) Cary Grant and Grace Kelly To Catch a Thief Cary Grant as John Robie (The Cat) Grace Kelly Grace Kelly and Cary Grant Poster To Catch a Thief Poster To Catch a Thief Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens To Catch a Thief To Catch a Thief
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Flixster Reviews (2,095)

  • MeetMeinMontauk
    December 31, 2011
    MeetMeinMontauk
    Not the best, but when you have Cary Grant AND Grace Kelly, it's hard to hate it.
  • fb1664868775
    November 13, 2011
    fb1664868775
    Hitchcock uses Grant for what he's best at in this suspense/comedy classic. This is good warm up for the Grant/Hitchcock masterpiece "North By Northwest" made four years later.
  • moonrivers
    August 8, 2011
    moonrivers
    A bit of a truffle about jewel thievery and cat burglary from Hitchcock as Grant and Kelly do some zhah-vay cavorting on the French Riviera. Nearly more postcard than film, look for Brigitte Auber as she, with nothing to lose, nearly steals the film. Grant, confident of his ap... read morepeal, knows enough to act gently surprised at the wallop his charisma elicits.
  • jennifxu
    April 28, 2011
    jennifxu
    There's something so, so right about Grace Kelly having a fascination with the thievery business. And Brigitte Auber as Danielle is just captivating in her little striped shirt and Parisian chic haircut. I realize that this film is ostensibly centered around Cary Grant's characte... read morer, but really, with all its animalistic metaphors and whatnot, it's all about the women.
  • SirPant
    April 18, 2011
    SirPant
    Quite surprisingly, To catch a Thief was the opposite of what I was expecting. It's not so much the crime caper I thought it would be, neither is Cary Grant's performance the best, nor is the story unpredictable. However, it looks so beautiful, the colours are amazing, the script... read more is sharp as a knife with the sense of humour you'd expect from hitch and the performance from Grace Kelly is divine. I generally prefer Hitch's darker films but To catch a Thief certainly has the best looking cinematography of his that I've seen, making it the easiest on the eye so far. Thoroughly enjoyable.
  • stevenecarrier
    March 31, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    "To Catch a Thief" is Alfred Hitchcock's fluffiest film. There is no weight to any of it. This is not to say it's a bad film, on the contrary, it's quite fun. It's in that airiness, and not to mention the gorgeous French Riviera, where the movie delights (the firework scene is a ... read morefavorite). Cary Grant and Grace Kelly are serviceable and gorgeous, but have very little to do in terms of acting. This is just Hitch playing around and even then it's much better than other films released in 1955.
  • garyX
    March 29, 2011
    garyX
    A retired cat burglar joins forces with an insurance agent to catch a copycat thief who is throwing suspicion onto him. To Catch A Thief lacks the darker edge that marked Hitchcock's best, but this film epitomizes the the kind of Hollywood glamour that is still to be equalled. Hi... read moreghly aspirational, it is set in capitalist heaven where beautiful people exist in beautiful surroundings and the wealthy are all either charming sophisticates or refreshingly down to earth and untainted by their riches. The mystery element to the plot takes a virtual back seat to the irresistible pairing of Grant and Kelly; he the soul of suave as the gentlemen thief and she radiating classical femininity to the point where every time she is described as "pretty" it nettled me as it seems like ludicrous understatement. It's all pure fantasy of course, but therein lies its charm and the sparkling dialogue and sumptuous surroundings transport the viewer to an era that is bygone if it ever indeed existed at all. Hitchcock at his least cynical.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    December 23, 2010
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Why did I take up stealing? To live better, to own things I couldn't afford, to acquire this good taste that you now enjoy and which I should be very reluctant to give up."

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

    REVIEW

    A string of daring jewel robberies on the French Riviera leads the police to suspect one-time cat-burglar John Robie (Cary Grant). Robie claims to be reformed but the police suspect otherwise. As the police seem so intent on following him instead of looking for the real crook, Robie decides to track down the thief himself. He soon meets and begins a romance with Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly) whose mother happens to have her own collection of valuable gems. But when Frances' mother's jewels are stolen, she naturally suspects Robie. Robie must convince Frances of his innocence and, with her help, finally unmask the real cat-burglar.

    To Catch a Thief may not have Hitchcock's most suspenseful or intricate plot, but it's certainly one of Hitch's best looking films. Everything is simply beautiful. The French Riviera locations are amazing. Odd, craggy points that lead to the crystal blue ocean are filmed like works of art. It looks better than any travelogue you're likely to see. The old, unique, character-filled buildings make for stunning backdrops to the unfolding story. And, has there ever been a better looking on-screen couple than Grant and Kelly? I doubt it. These two can make the most mundane of scenes look like a million dollars.

    As for the plot, it's not overly difficult to figure out who the real burglar is. The movie all but slaps you in the face with the answer. But the fun comes in watching Grant and Kelly get to the final conclusion. The final showdown between the police, Robie, and the cat-burglar is great. Other highlights for me included the swimming scene, the boat scene, and the picnic scene. Unfortunately, I've always felt there were few instances where To Catch a Thief drags a bit. There are a number of scenes where cars drive back and forth along twisting mountainous roads. And while the scenery is breathtaking, a bit more intrigue might have been a plus. Grant and Kelly's charm, however, is generally enough to offset these moments.

    Overall, it may not be Hitch's best, but I've always enjoyed revisiting To Catch a Thief.
  • ajv2688
    November 10, 2010
    ajv2688
    This is the only Hitchcock movie of the fifties I don't care for. The plot is too simple, it's boring, and he shouldn't have chose Grant to be the cat burglar (I love Grant, but I don't think this role was intended for him.). Of course if you love Hitchcock's movies, you shoul... read mored still see this one anyway.
  • fernandorafael
    July 3, 2010
    fernandorafael
    A lesser effort by the Hitchcock machine, but enjoyable enough. Light, sexy and (sadly) low on suspense. Visually stunning, from the French Riviera scenery to the amazing costumes by Edith Head. Cary Grant plays Cary Grant. Grace Kelly lights up the screen every time. The revelat... read moreion of the villain was indeed surprising, just not very interesting.

    On a side note, the sequence where Grace Kelly's being chased down the road is positively creepy, considering how her life came to an end.

View All To Catch a Thief Reviews

Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

To Catch a Thief does nothing but give out a good, exciting time. If you'll settle for that at a movie, you should give it your custom right now. Full Review

Don Druker
January 1, 2000
Don Druker, Chicago Reader

Alfred Hitchcock's fluffy 1955 exercise in light comedy, minimal mystery, and good-natured eroticism (the fireworks scene is a classic). Full Review

Emanuel Levy
May 7, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Lavishly shot in the French Riviera, this romantic thriller is vatsly entertaining due to star power of Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Full Review

Heather Boerner
December 18, 2010
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media

A riveting, rollicking Hitchcock suspense classic. Full Review

Kevin Carr
April 18, 2009
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures

should keep you guessing while you have a chance to see the veiled sexual relationship between Grant and Kelly's characters Full Review

Josh Larsen
March 13, 2009
Josh Larsen, LarsenOnFilm

...has the feel of being made while on a getaway vacation. Full Review

Steve Crum
March 22, 2008
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Colorful, fun Hitchcock pairing Grant and Kelly.

Walter Chaw
February 7, 2008
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

A collection of VistaVision postcards. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
May 6, 2007
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine

Hitchcock and screenwriter John Michael Hayes posited voyeuristic spectacle as the essence of cinema in Rear Window; in To Catch a Thief they validate their thesis with plenty of spectacle to be voyeu... Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 3, 2007
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

It's one of Hitchcock's lightest and most purely enjoyable exercises. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Frances Stevens: Would you like a leg or a breast? [Grace Kelly offers Cary Grant some chicken]
    • Frances Stevens: From where I sat it looked as though you were conjugating some irregular verbs.
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To Catch a Thief Trivia

  • She has been one of Alfred Hitchcock's muse. She played in his movies "To catch a thief", "Rear Window" and "Dial M for murder".  Answer »
  • Alfred Hitchcock classic with Cary Grant as a suave exburglar who is being framed for a new series of jewel thefts?  Answer »
  • In which movie does Grace Kelly try to help the diamond theif-Jimmy Stewart?  Answer »
  • Which beautiful REAL Princess (given in 1956) played in classics like 'Rear Window' & 'Dail M For Murder', & others like 'High Noon' & 'To Catch A Thief', & 'The Country Girl', & more...?  Answer »
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