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To Catch a Thief (NR, 1955)

common sense media says

A riveting, rollicking Hitchcock suspense classic.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this Hitchcock suspense thriller offers mild suspense and several situations in which the lives of John, Francie, and other characters are at stake. Characters are shot at, chased in their cars, drive recklessly, and issued death threats. There's considerable 1950s-era sexism and women are treated as sex objects or paternally. John says at one point that he should "spank" a woman who disobeyed his orders.

Positive messages: Characters lie to each other and masquerade as someone other than themselves. John is accused of crimes he didn't commit. Plenty of '50s-era sexism on display.
Violence: One man dies and it's implied that he's hit with a wrench and strangled. There are several gunshots. A kitchen worker breaks a plate and comes at John menacingly. John's life is threatened several times, in person and through notes. John talks about having killed 72 people in World War II. There's also lots of car chases and one car crash, though no one is injured. One character nearly falls off a roof.
Sex: Lots of sexual innuendo and implied sexual activity, but little seen on the screen. Danielle flashes her legs to a police plane. John stares down a woman's cleavage. John and Francie kiss three times, and it's implied that they had sex.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Several characters drink wine, beer, and brandy at parties, dinner, and in their hotel rooms. John and Francie drink beer during a picnic in their car and drive afterwards. Jessie smokes.
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More on To Catch a Thief

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how you gain back trust after you've done something wrong. John is forever considered a jewel thief, even though he hasn't stolen in years. When you disappoint or betray the trust of someone in your family, do you feel like you'll never be trusted again? How do you gain back that trust? Families can also talk about the gender roles in the film. Are the men role models for how men should behave? Are the women role models for how women should behave? Why or why not?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The romantic classic TO CATCH A THIEF is a roller-coaster ride right off the bat. In the first five minutes there's a car chase and enough intrigue, double crosses, and sexual innuendo to keep you riveted for the whole film. Dashing, retired jewel thief John Robie (Cary Grant) hasn't stolen jewels for more than 15 years, and went to prison for the crimes he did commit, but when jewels start showing up missing again along the romantic French Riviera, all eyes are on Robie. To prove his innocence, Robie decides not to hide but to go to the heart of the matter and find the real cat burglar. Along the way, he meets the divine Francie (Grace Kelly), who's on to him. Of course while the handsome duo work out the clues they fall for each other.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
What could be better than a Hitchcock film set in the picturesque French Riviera? As always, you have to admire Hitchcock's pacing. It's quick without being rushed. To Catch a Thief is an especially good introduction to Hitchcock for teens. While it does involve intrigue and death threats, it's not as dark as Rear Window, The Birds, or Psycho.

And the glamour of the 1950s fashions are not to be missed. When Grace Kelly floats through a party in a huge gold lame strapless ballgown it's divine. And Kelly in a chiffon gown just for a dinner date -- decadent.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Vantage
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 106 minutes
Theatrical release: August 3, 1955
DVD release: May 8, 2007
MPAA Rating: NR
This review was written by Heather Boerner
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Tsion
parent of 15 year old
9
 
The Ride of Your Life...
This is a joyous movie to behold. Filled with humor, wit, passion, action, danger, thrills, intrigue, and romance, it is truly a movie like no other. Cary Grant plays a reformed jewel thief, John Robie, known in infamy as The Cat. When a new string of high-profile thefts arise, it is up to him to prove that he is innocent: and the only way to do that is to catch the real thief. He teams up with a young American beauty (Grace Kelley) to find the New Cat, before it's too late. Parents need not be concerned about much in this film; aside from some tense scenes and the lightest of innuendos it is completely appropriate. This is a wonderful ride: don't miss it.
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MovieFan777
teen, 16 years old
8
 
Kelly And Grant Shine In This Romantic Thriller
This is an amazing romantic thriller that is a great film to introduce Hitchcock to people. No one can resist this fun movie staring one of cinema's most romantic couple, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
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lule
teen, 18 years old
 
Awesome movie!
My dad showed me this movie and I aboulutly loved it!!!!!!!! it was a great mystery, that I tried to figure out as it unfolded!!! I loved it!
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fluffyfuzz
kid, 13 years old
13
 
good cary grant/hitchcock film great movie
a classic hitchcock film with the well known actor cary grant one of my favorite actors good but also very suspenseful and full of thrills
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atleast
adult
 
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