There is a costume ball in the last part of the film, the theme of it is the 18th century by the way of the 1950s. Made by Edith Head the look is classic glamour and each piece stands out, and it must, since Hitchcock shows the French Riviera in all its beauty and both the stars and the costumes have to compete for all eyes to be on them. Now to go to the costumes, which are stars in themselves. It’s a true golden dialogue moment in a film where the dialogues are full of entendre and innuendo, as per Hitchcock’s usual style. There is also a scene with Danielle and Frances as they are swimming in the sea that is full of nail bitingly good back handed comments to each other while Cary Grant is there stuck in the middle. Unfazed by the robberies and all in all a comedic treat. Jessie Royce Landis as Jessie Stevens, France’s mother, is a particular highlight, bringing the snappy Hitchcock dialogue to its humorous height. Indeed no one better than the cast in this movie could have done a better job. One is always glued to the screen when she is in it, be it by her glamorous wardrobe by Edith Head or her natural ability to light the screen up by her elegance so fitted to the role. Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens is the epitome of glamour, someone who is intelligent, sometimes childish and reckless. He is so dynamic as he delivers his lines and performs the action scenes. Plus Hitchcock gives him a scene in the water for the female eyes to gaze it and I hardly think anyone complains. I can’t hardly say anything else on it except maybe to pick it up if you see it for curiosities sake and read it and compare it to the film.Ĭary Grant as John Robie is the typical suave male hero, but he does it so well you hardly mind it. One could describe it as the usual 1950s fluff with Hollywood Golden Age glamour if not for the biting script, expert directing and the all around Hitchcock suspense, even if there is only a little of it.īased on the 1952 book by David Dodge this film overshadowed and still overshadows the book it is based on. It’s also very light Hitchcock, no murder, no skeletons in the closet, no blood or gore. This is a very glamorous Hitchcock movie, a departure from his usual middle-class characters as well as setting. Knowing that the the copycat like him, targets only the rich, he sets his eyes on the rich American Stevens family, as well as their fair daughter Frances. Until an unexpected friend becomes his ally, an insurance agent H. Meeting with his old Resistance friends who work for Bertine and his daughter Danielle he finds no friends there as they think he has done it. John wants to prove his innocence and to catch the copycat (pun intended) who is setting him up. This is a holiday! For you, for Hitchcock and the stars.Ī number of jewel thefts have happened in the French Riviera and the police suspect John “The Cat” Robie, a thief who had retired 15 years ago to his villa. Shown in its 1950s natural beauty of green hills and mountains, old houses and churches, swirling roads, beaches, hotels and villa’s this is as much of a poster to holiday there and the film begins so as well. It is a little cliched and not, overall, greatly exciting as such (there are some fairly thrilling scenes but only now and again) but I enjoyed it for the most part (cliches and slowish plot pace aside) and I would recommend it to others regardless as a good(ish) watch, yes.Monaco, where this film is set, where Grace Kelly would be a princess and where she would later die in one of its roads is as much of a star of this film as the stars themselves. There are the scenes with women fighting over the male lead character and I suppose it has a hint of a James Bond film about it - if any then I guess it'd have to be 'Casino Royale', although this is decidedly less an action/thriller film and more a somewhat light romantic drama, with some fairly witty pieces of dialogue at times. I thought this was a nice, fun watch, with inevitably a hint of nostalgia about it (it was released in 1955). Cary Grant comes across as quite suave and sophisticated as his character, John Robie. I enjoyed the setting, the glitzy French riviera and of course the cast includes two pretty big names - Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. Cary Grant comes across as quite suave and This is an entertaining watch, with different characters trying to second guess who the titular thief is. This is an entertaining watch, with different characters trying to second guess who the titular thief is.
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