To Catch a Thief

To Catch a Thief (in Argentina and Mexico, To catch the thief; in Spain, To Catch a Thief) is a 1955 American film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

It is based on the novel of the same name, published in 1952 by David Dodge. The action of the novel takes place in 1951.

Hitchcock's film won an Oscar for Best Cinematography and had two nominations: Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.

During her stay on the French Riviera for the filming of this film, Grace Kelly met her future husband: Prince Rainier of Monaco. Their wedding took place in 1956.

Plot

John Robie (Cary Grant) is a retired white collar burglar, living on the Cote d'Azur. A series of robberies take place at that location bearing Robie's stamp, for which the police suspect him. One of the likely next victims is the mother of a wealthy American heiress, Frances (Grace Kelly). To prove his innocence, the best Robie can do is find out the real thief. When he meets Frances, she believes he is the thief, though she later changes her mind and helps him achieve her goal.

Cast

Part of a frame the film's claim.

Cary Grant: John Robie.
Grace Kelly: Frances Stevens.
Jessie Royce Landis: Jessie Stevens. John Williams: H.H. Hughson.
Charles Vanel: Mr. Bertani.
Brigitte Auber: Danielle Foussard.
Jean Martinelli: Foussard, father of Danielle.

Production

This was the first of five films Hitchcock made on VistaVision, and the last with Grace Kelly.

Closeting was done by designer Edith Head, including Kelly's iconic gold dress.

The car Frances (Kelly) drives is a metallic blue 1953 Sunbeam Alpine Mk I.

Grace Kelly in another frame the film's claim.

Awards

Robert Burks won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

Hal Pereira, Joseph McMillan Johnson, Samuel M. Comer, and Arthur Krams were nominated for the Oscar for Best Art Direction, and Edith Head was nominated for Best Costumes.

In 2002, the American Film Institute named To Catch a Thief #46 on its AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions list.