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Parents' Guide to

To Catch a Thief

By Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

A riveting, rollicking Hitchcock suspense classic.

Movie NR 1955 106 minutes
To Catch a Thief Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 1 parent review

Tsion
Tsion Parent of 14-year-old
August 11, 2009
age 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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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?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (4 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

Movie Details

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