- Everyone needs a vacation once in a while, even the Master of Suspense. So it's off to the French Riviera for Alfred Hitchcock in the charming and enjoyable To Catch a Thief. Along for the trip is Cary Grant as John Robie a.k.a. "The Cat", a reformed jewel thief suspected of revisiting his old career. Robie wants nothing more than to enjoy the tranquility of his hillside villa, but the police won't stop hounding him over the recent spate of jewel thefts. After narrowly escaping the authorities with the help of his old associate Bertani (Charles Vanel) and the flirtatious Danielle (Brigitte Auber), he decides that the best way to prove his innocence is to catch the real thief in the act.
- Robie sensibly begins his investigation by making contact with Hughson (John Williams), an insurance man who reluctantly hands over a list of clients most likely to be targeted by a jewel thief. Topping the list is Jessie Stevens (Jessie Royce Landis), an amusingly crass American member of the nouveau riche who habitually embarrasses her seemingly demure daughter, Francie (Grace Kelly). Francie's shyness quickly melts away when she gets Robie alone, however, and it isn't long before "The Cat has a new kitten," much to the chagrin of the jealous Danielle. As the happy couple spend their afternoons at the beach and light up their nights with fireworks, Francie even pieces together Robie's true identity, which she playfully taunts him with at every turn ("You're leaving fingerprints on my arm.") Unfortunately, none of this gets Robie any closer to catching the real thief, who steals Jessie's jewels right out from under his nose. Now Robie must prove himself to both the police and Francie at the upcoming costumed ball, hopefully thwarting the copycat burglar in the process.
- To Catch a Thief is certainly less serious and suspenseful than many of Hitchcock's films, but it is as charming and fun as any of them. The film really does feel like a well-earned respite from the tension of the director's previous work, and this feeling is further enhanced by the picturesque settings and whimsical romantic plot. The film's dialogue, too, is mostly lighthearted and often quite funny, filled with one double entendre after another. Lines like "I bet you told her all of your trees were sequoias" might have been too much for a halfway serious film, but they're perfect here. The film's resolution is hardly a surprise - the cat burglar turns out to be the one character not accounted for at the party - but then I suppose nobody wants to be surprised on their vacation.
- Cary Grant and I both spotted Hitchcock sitting on the bus.
