To Catch a Thief On the Big Screen

Last night, Ted, Michael and I went out to dinner – and then walked over to the Film Forum to see To Catch a Thief. Again, it was PACKED. There were no snickering jackasses in this audience. We were all completely involved. The movie isn’t dated at all – it totally works on a contemporary level. Also: it’s FUNNY. I had forgotten how FUNNY the damn thing is. Cary Grant, as always, with his little asides, his small expressions of befuddlement …. he is just perfect. The long scene he has with Grace Kelly (the picnic scene: “Do you want a leg or a breast?” “Your choice.”) is just masterful. They totally play off of one another, and the dialogue is as good as it gets. Sparkling, witty, the characters are lying the entire time … it’s just great.

I also love the following line – it got an enormous laugh – first of all, the words themselves are funny, but the way Grant says it:

“You know, I have about the same interest in jewelry that I have in politics, horseracing, modern poetry, or women who need weird excitement: none.”

That Cary Grant voice: “or women who need weird excitement …” With the fireworks out the window in the background.

It was great fun. Fun to see it on the big screen, too – all the sweeping scenery, the helicopter shots, the curving roads with car chases – seen from above – all made to be seen on a large scale.