To Catch a Thief (film)
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To Catch a Thief is a 1955 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis and John Williams. The movie is set on the French Riviera, and was based on the 1952 novel of the same name by David Dodge. The screenplay was written by John Michael Hayes. The film represents Hitchcock at his best, blending intrigue, romance, and humor all in the same film.
Synopsis
John Robie, played by Cary Grant, is a famous, retired jewel thief called "The Cat" who spends his time tending to his vineyards in France. There is a series of jewel robberies that resemble his style and the police believe that the cat is up to his old tricks again.
Robie enlists the aid of insurance man H.H. Hughson (John Williams) in order to prove his innocence. Robie's plan is to catch the new cat burglar in the act. To do this, he obtains a list of the most expensive jewels on the Riviera from the reluctant Hughson. The first names on the list are Jessie Stevens (Jessie Royce Landis) and her daughter Francie (Grace Kelly). Robie becomes acquainted with them in order to stay close to their jewels. Francie is suspicious of Robie's motives. She is certain that he is behind the recent thefts, but at the same time she is attracted to him. Robie fends off Francie's advances, at least at first.
One night, Jessie's jewels are stolen and Francie believes that Robie has taken them. He goes into hiding, believing he knows now who the new thief is, and plans to catch him. He stakes out a house where he believes the new burglar will strike. He is attacked and in the ensuing struggle kills a man the police later claim to be the thief. The only problem is that the man had a "peg leg", which would have made it impossible for him to climb over the rooftops.
Francie apologizes to Robie and offers to help catch the real thief during a masquerade party. The French police plan to arrest Robie during the party. Robie puts on an elaborate costume that hides his face; at some point, he and Hughson switch places, leaving Robie free to capture the real burglar with the jewels on the roof and force her (Brigitte Auber) to confess.
After everything is cleared up, Robie returns to his vineyards and Francie races after him to tell him how much she loves him. When it appears that he gives in, she remarks that her mother will love living with them, to his consternation.
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