If you happen to have been to think about an Alfred Hitchcock thriller through which Cary Grant finds himself on the middle of a thriller after having skilled a case of mistaken id, you’d in all probability consider “North by Northwest.” However whereas 1955’s “To Catch a Thief” may be a lesser recognized entry within the Hitchcock oeuvre, it is each bit as worthy of your consideration as Grant and Hitch’s 1959 collaboration. If you happen to occur to have ignored this lesser-known Hitchcock thriller, it is accessible to stream proper now on Paramount+.
One in every of Alfred Hitchcock’s best films, “To Catch a Thief” is the final of three collaborations between the director and Grace Kelly and the third of 4 with Grant. It got here within the wake of 1954’s “Rear Window” and was a decidedly much less tense affair than that seminal thriller. However whereas “North by Northwest” and even 1946’s “Infamous” may usually garner extra reward in conversations concerning the Grant/Hitchcock collabs, as certainly one of a number of underrated Hitchcock movies worth watching, “To Catch a Thief” deserves simply as a lot consideration.
The romantic thriller was an adaptation of David Dodge’s 1952 novel of the identical title and starred Grant as a former jewel thief who finds himself the item of suspicion within the wake of a number of robberies. Kelly performs his love curiosity and the pair’s chemistry is simple in a movie that, with its visible splendor, appears to be celebrating the approaching collectively of those two iconic Hitchcock collaborators.
To Catch a Thief is a resplendent romantic thriller worthy of your consideration
“To Catch a Thief” stars Cary Grant as retired cat burglar John Robie, who merely desires to spend his days amid the vineyards of the French Riviera however rapidly finds himself pulled right into a basic Hitchcockian debacle. A sequence of bijou robberies within the space places Robie within the highlight, with native authorities suspecting the previous thief of reverting to his outdated methods. In an try to clear his title, Robie tracks down the house owners of the most costly jewels within the space, the primary of which is Grace Kelly’s Frances Stevens, the daughter of wealthy American widow Jessie Stevens (Jessie Royce Landis).
In fact, a romance blossoms between Robie and Frances, however when the latter’s jewels are stolen she begins to suspect her new beau might need been concerned. Going through felony costs and the lack of his newfound love, Robie finds himself in a race in opposition to time to search out the actual thief, clear his title, and restore his relationship.
With its spectacular settings, erudite main man, and his effortlessly glamorous love curiosity, “To Catch a Thief” was certainly one of many proto-James Bond motion pictures within the Hitchcock oeuvre. It was additionally a much less intense affair than a number of the director’s extra well-known suspense movies, however what it lacked in depth it made up for with lovely vistas and a palpable chemistry between Grant and Kelly.
In 2022 we heard rumblings of a “To Catch a Thief” remake starring Gal Gadot which appears to have been mercifully held up. As a substitute, we are able to do the extra wise factor and watch the unique on Paramount+ proper now.
