A slick and stylish comedy thriller from Alfred Hitchcock as a retired jewel thief must prove his innocence following a spate of thefts on the French Riviera.
Living comfortably in the Riviera hinterland, John Robie (Cary Grant – North By Northwest, Houseboat) suddenly finds himself chief suspect when the luxurious hotel rooms of Nice are targets for a jewel thief. Staying one step ahead of the local police, Robie contacts his former acquaintances headed by restaurant-owner Bertani (Charles Vanel – The Wages of Fear, Le feu aux poudres) in an attempt to identify the real culprit. By chance, he falls into the thrall of wealthy American widow, Jessie Stevens (the splendid, straight-talking Jessie Royce Landis – North By Northwest, Airport) and her wily daughter, Frances (Grace Kelly – Rear Window, The Swan).
There’s no intense psychological game-playing from Hitchcock (The Birds, Rear Window) as the banter and witty repartee flows fast and freely in this light, entertaining comedy thriller.
Nominated for 3 Oscars in 1956 – art direction, costume design – won 1 for cinematography (Robert Burks – Vertigo, The Music Man)
Rating: 80%
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