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To Catch a Thief | Year: 1955 Classification: Mystery / Suspense Directed: - Alfred Hitchcock Actors/Actresses: - Cary Grant - Grace Kelly Grant & Kelly are magic in Hitchcock widescreen dvd Classic Alfred Hitchcock brings the beautiful and talented Grace Kelly back for a third time in a starring role in his great movie run of the 1950's. ("Dial M for Murder" and "Rear Window" were her first 2) Hitch also persuades Cary Grant out of semi-retirement to co-star with Kelly. (Later Grant stars in another Hitchcock thriller - "North by North West" (voted into the American Film Institutes top 100 American Films of the last 100 years -1998)). This proved to be a very wise choice because their(Grant's as "The Cat" burgular & Kelly's as a rich socialite)chemistry are electrifying. Having Jessie Royce Landis as Kelly's heiress mother was also a perfect choice. John Williams, the moustachio Englishman Insurance agent closes out this outstanding cast. Summary: Wealthy retired cat burgular (Grant) is accused of again stealing precious jewels from all the rich French Riveria millionairess'. The police and jewelery Insurance agent (Williams) pursue and try to catch "The Cat" in the act. Grant befriends Williams, the rich Kelly and her heiress mother Royce. Together we try to unravel who is the real "Cat". Along this winding road of mystery Grant and Kelly light up the silver screen with a steamy (for the 50's) romance. This Paramount WideScreen Collection DVD has been meticulously remastered both in picture(Enhanced for 16x9 HDTV's) & sound (Dolby Digital). What a delightful TECHNOCOLOR movie. Grace Kelly's beauty and her colorful gowns are vibrant & elegeant. Lots of Extra Features; 3 Featurettes - Writing & Casting, To Catch A Thief, The Making of To Catch A Thief & Alfred Hitchcock and To Catch A Thief. An Edith Head - The Paramount Years Featurette (see really knows how to compliment the stars!). A theatrical trailer and finally Photos & Poster Gallery. This is a very enjoyable mystery and the ending presents a nice surprise. This was one of Hitchcocks favorite movies & sadly his last with the beautiful Grace Kelly. (Hitchcock had a great 4th movie for her (MARNIE) which see wanted to do but because of her future family obligation reluctantly refused Hitch. (she was to marry Prince Ranier of Monaco - ironically where "TO CATCH A THIEF was filmed and more sadly died in an automobile accident on the mountain road in the same film many years later as Princess Grace). Her death then was as sad as Princess Diana's was recently. Grace Kelly and Cary Grant are gone now but they are immortalized through their great films forever. "TO CATCH A THIEF" is a great addition to your Hitchcock & DVD library. Enjoy. Slick and Masterful: Hitchcock's caper comes off a cropper John Robie (Cary Grant) has a big problem: no one will believe he is innocent of a string of jewel robberies on the French Riviera. Grace Kelly plays Francie Stevens, an American tourist who doesn't know whether to kiss or kick John. On thing's for certain: she's going to get to the bottom of things. Hitchcock's outstanding chase flick is blessed with sharp dialogue, marvelous locations, stellar casting and a really solid screenplay. Unfortunately, all are marred by a rather shoddy transfer from Paramount Home Video. Though colors are rich, they are not well balanced and are sometimes extremely muddy. Contrast and shadow deliniation are rather low. Digital and film grain intrude and distract. At least the film is presented in its original VistaVision 1:85:1 aspect ratio. Included are several featurettes, one on the film, another on Hitchcock and one on resident costume designer, Edith Head. A stills gallery and theatrical trailers top out this offering. Bottom line: The movie is worth its weight in gold. The same can't be said for its digital transfer. With Class and Grace To Catch A Thief marks a departure for director Alfred Hitchcock. Here, he sheds the moniker as The Master Of Suspense, going more for romance and comedy--rather than any of his well known plot twists or thrills. The film may not be the best of his career, but thanks to a strong leading man and a radiant leading lady the movie still works. John Robie, (Cary Grant) is a reformed cat burglar, out to prove himself innocent of a recent crime spree. As he tries to capture the thief who's terrifying the French Riviera, he attracts the attention of the lovely Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly), a wealthy and spoiled American traveling the Riviera with her widowed mother (Jessie Royce Landis). However, things do not begin on a romantic note. Robie is more interested in clearing his name than in pursuing the beautiful American, but the two will not go their separate ways so easily. When Mrs. Stevens has her jewels stolen, the snubbed Frances puts the police on Robie's trail. Now the dashing Robie will have to win the confidence and assistance of Frances if he is to ever set things right. Grant and Kelly light up the screen together, with an entrancing chemistry that sparkles, especially in the impromptu ad-libbed dialogue of the picnic scene. A series of elaborate set pieces combined with the spectacularc Riviera scenery make the film an enduring piece of American cinema. Hitchcock lets his leads pick up for any of the film's lack of excitement, that traditionally peppers the director's films. I have always had a "crush" on the late Grace Kelly, and this film just helps to solidify those feelings. The DVD contains three well produced making of featurettes. "Writing and Casting," "The Making of To Catch a Thief," and "Alfred Hitchcock and To Catch a Thief", will give you a well rounded look at the film. But things would have worked out even better if these were edited together as one larger whole. Long time Hitchcock collaborator, costumer Edith Head, is highlighted in a fourth featurette, that also tops off the disc's bonus material. To Catch A Thief is recommended for any Hitchcock fan.. Buy To Catch A Thief at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on To Catch A Thief Search with the Priority Search Engine on To Catch A Thief This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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