To Catch a Thief

To Catch a Thief (1955)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Screenplay by John Michael Hayes & Alec Coppel

Based on the novel by David Dodge

Stars: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly,  Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams, Charles Vanel, Brigitte Auber, Jean Martinelli, and Georgette Anys 

This movie was on the essential viewing list for everything. The 50s, of all time and such. I wanted to love this movie, but it felt empty.

A series of jewel robberies are happening the banks of the French Rivera. The police suspect that now-retired cat burglar, John Robie (Grant) is their number one suspect. Robie takes it upon himself to find the real burglar.

On the surface, this movie would be catnip to me. Grant, Kelly, French Rivera, Edith Head costumes. I thought I would love the movie, but I didn't. I didn't connect to the movie. I didn't believe in the romance between Robie and Frances Stevens (Kelly). It came out of nowhere.

The biggest problem of the movie is the mystery. Who was the real cat burglar? It felt like the mystery was brushed aside. I knew who the thief was. I was waiting for the reveal.

This viewing was passable. I could not get into the movie to recommend it.

Rating: 6/10

Oklahoma!

Oklahoma! (1955) 

Directed by Fred Zinnemann

Screenplay by Sonya Levien and William Ludwig

Based on the stage musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II

Based on the play, "Green Grow the Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs

Stars: Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger, Gloria Grahame, Gene Nelson, Eddie Albert, Charlotte Greenwood, and Barbara Lawrence

Full disclosure. I have never seen a live version of Oklahoma! I am familiar with a couple songs, but nothing else.

When I read the byline of the movie, I was expecting something along the lines of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers or Fiddler on the Roof (both of which I have not seen, but I heard rumblings about them.) 

 This movie is more about two sets of love triangles. One with Curly (MacRae), Laurey (Jones) and Jud (Steiger) and the other with Tom (Nelson), Ado Annie (Grahame) and Ali (Albert). I was more interested in the first triangle than the other. One of the biggest problems of the movie is Ado Annie. I hated her character.

The other gripe I had with this movie is the dream ballet sequence. It went on forever-- at least fifteen minutes. I hated all of it.

This was solid movie with obvious flaws.

Rating: 7.5/10