Name: To Catch a Thief
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Romance
Released: 1955-08-05
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 7.3
Cast: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams, Charles Vanel

To Catch a Thief

Anticipation of Fireworks and Hidden Desires

Francie If you really want to see fireworks, it's better with the lights out. I have a feeling that tonight, you're going to see one of the Riviera's most fascinating sights... I was talking about the fireworks.

[She turns off the lamps in the room one by one]

Robie I never doubted it.

Francie The way you looked at my necklace, I didn't know. You've been dying to say something about it all evening. Go ahead.

Robie Why, have I been staring at it?

Francie No, you've been trying to avoid it.

Robie May I have a brandy?

Francie Please.

Robie Do you care for one?

Francie No. Thank you. Some nights a person doesn't need to drink. Doesn't it make you nervous to be in the same room with thousands of dollars worth of diamonds and unable to touch them?

Robie No.

Francie Like an alcoholic outside of a bar on election day.

Robie Wouldn't know the feeling.

[laughs]

Francie All right. You've studied the layout, drawn your plans, worked out your timetable, put on your dark clothes with your crepe-soled shoes and your rope. Maybe your face blackened. And you're over the roofs in the darkness, down the side wall to the right apartment, and the window's locked. All that elation turned into frustration. What would you do?

Robie I'd go home, get a good night's sleep.

Francie Oh, what would you do? The thrill is right there in front of you, but you can't quite get it - and the gems glistening on the other side of the window, and someone asleep, breathing heavily.

[She steps into the darkness that hides only her face]

Robie I'd go home, get a good night's sleep.

Francie Wouldn't you use a glass cutter, a brick, your fist - anything to get what you wanted? Knowing it was just there waiting for you?

Robie Oh, forget it.

[sips his brandy]

Francie Drinking dulls your senses.

Robie Yeah, and if I'm lucky, some of my hearing.

Francie Blue-white with just hairlike touches of platinum.

[fondles her necklace]

Robie You know, I have about the same interest in jewelry that I have in politics, horseracing, modern poetry, or women who need weird excitement: none.

Francie Hold this necklace in your hand and tell me you're not John Robie, the Cat. John, tell me something. You're going to rob that villa we cased this afternoon, aren't you? Oh, I suppose rob is archaic. You'd say, knock over'?

Robie Oh -

[pained]

Francie Don't worry, I'm very good at secrets.

Robie Tell me, have you ever been on a psychiatrist's couch?

Francie Don't change the subject. I know the perfect time to do it: Next week, the Sanfords are holding their annual gala. Everyone who counts will be there. I'll get you an invitation. It's an 18th-century costume affair. There will be thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of the world's most elegant jewelry. Some of the guests will be staying for the weekend. We'll get all the information, and we'll do it together. What do you say?

Robie My only comment would be highly censorable.

Francie Give up, John. Admit who you are. Even in this light, I can tell where your eyes are looking. Look, John. Hold them. Diamonds. Only thing in the world you can't resist. Then tell me you don't know what I'm talking about. Ever had a better offer in your whole life? One with everything?

[sits alluringly on the couch, displaying both her necklace and bare decolletage; He sits down; She kisses his fingers, one by one, then puts her necklace in the palm of his hand]

Robie I've never had a crazier one.

Francie Just as long as you're satisfied.

Robie You know as well as I do this necklace is imitation.

Francie Well, I'm not.

[They kiss]

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

To Catch a Thief

Concerns About Daughter's Attractiveness and Upbringing

Mrs. Stevens How come you haven't made a pass at my daughter? And don't say, "Oh, Mother!" to me. Mr. Burns, I asked you a question.

[to Robie; to Frances]

Robie Very pretty; quietly attractive.

Mrs. Stevens Yeah, but too nice. I'm sorry I ever sent her to that finishing school; I think they finished her there.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

To Catch a Thief

A Generous Offer from Mrs. Stevens

Mrs. Jessie Stevens I wouldn't mind buying that for you..

[to Francie, about Robie]

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

To Catch a Thief

The Dilemma of Love and Danger

Danielle Don't you think it's foolish to remain here without knowing what will happen to you? But if you were in South America with me, you will know exactly what will happen.

Robie You make it sound dangerous either way.

Danielle It would be so much nicer to be killed by love, no?

Robie Uh, pardon me while I get the water out of my ear.

Danielle John, you know what sort of men they are at Bertani's. Another robbery and they will do something to you.

Robie Well, I'd better get back.

Danielle But what has she got more than me? Except money, and you are getting plenty of that.

[about Francie]

Robie Danielle, you are just a girl. She is a woman.

Danielle Why do you want to buy an old car if you can get a new one cheaper? It will run better and last longer.

Robie Well, it looks as if my old car just drove off.

Francie No, it hasn't, it's just turned amphibious. I thought I'd come out and see what the big attraction was.

[swimming up]

Robie Yes.

Francie And possibly even rate an introduction.

Robie Oh, uh, you didn't tell me your name.

[to Danielle]

Danielle Danielle Foussard.

Robie Miss Foussard - Miss Stevens.

Francie How do you do, Miss Foussard. Mr. Burns has told me so little about you.

Robie Well, we only met a couple of minutes ago.

Danielle That's right, only a few minutes ago.

Francie Only a few minutes ago? And you talk like old friends. Ah well, that's warm, friendly France for you.

Robie I was asking about renting some water-skis. Would you like me to teach you how to water ski?

[to Francie]

Francie Thank you, but I was women's champion at Sarasota, Florida, last season.

Robie Well, it was just an idea.

Francie Are you sure you were talking about water-skis? From where I sat, it looked as though you were conjugating some irregular verbs.

Robie Say something nice to her, Danielle.

Danielle She looks a lot older, up close.

Robie Ohhh -

Francie To a mere child, anything over twenty might seem old.

Danielle A child? Shall we stand in shallower water and discuss that?

Francie Enjoying yourself, Mr. Burns?

Robie Oh yes, it's very nice out here, with the sun and all.

Francie Well, it's too much for me. I'll see you at the hotel.

Robie I'll go with you.

[laughing nervously]

Danielle But Mr. Burns, you didn't finish telling me why French women are more seductive than American women?

Robie I know what I'd like to tell you!

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

To Catch a Thief

Choosing Between Options

Francie Do you want a leg or a breast?

Robie You make the choice.

To Catch a Thief

A Thief and a Lady's Moment Together

Taglines For a moment he forgets he's a thief—and she forgets she's a lady!

To Catch a Thief

Common People and Royalty Distinction

Francie Stevens Palaces are for royalty. We're just common people with a bank account.

To Catch a Thief

A Revelation in the Hotel Room

Francie I called the police from your room and told them who you are and everything you've been doing tonight.

Robie Everything? The boys must have really enjoyed that at headquarters!

To Catch a Thief

The Complexity of Taste and Dishonesty

Hughson You are a man of obvious good taste in everything. How did you - I mean, why did you...?

Robie Why did I take up stealing? To live better, to own things I couldn't afford, to acquire this good taste which you now enjoy and which I should be very reluctant to give up.

Hughson Oh, you mean you were frankly dishonest.

Robie I tried to be.

Hughson You know, I thought you'd have some defense, some tale of hardship - your mother ran off when you were young, your father beat you, or something.

Robie Naah, no. I was a member of an American trapeze act in the circus that traveled in Europe. It folded and I was stranded, so I put my agility to a more rewarding purpose.

Hughson You have no other defense.

Robie No. For what it's worth, I only stole from people who wouldn't go hungry.

Hughson I take it you were a sort of modern ]. I mean, you gave away most of the proceeds of your crimes...

[[w:Robin Hood|Robin Hood]

Robie Kept everything myself. Well, let's face it, I was an out-and-out thief, like you.

Hughson Steady, old man.

Robie No, no, wait a minute. Have you ever taken an ashtray from a hotel or a towel?

Hughson Souvenirs; they expect that.

Robie You're given an expense allowance to pay for all the meals you eat on the job. Right? But this meal is free. Now, are you going to deduct the price of a lunch from your expense account? Well, of course you're not. It would be stupid. Do you agree?

Hughson Yes.

Robie You're a thief. Only an amateur thief, of course, but it will help you to sympathize with us professionals.

To Catch a Thief

A Notorious Figure in Europe’s Luxury Scene

Taglines Wanted by the police in all the luxury-spots of Europe!... A catch for any woman!

To Catch a Thief

The Grip of a Burglar

Francie Stevens You've got a very strong grip - the kind a burglar needs.

[to Robie]

To Catch a Thief Quotes