To Catch a Thief (1955)

To Catch a Thief poster

Paramount Pictures
Starring: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: John Robie (Cary Grant) is a former thief living on the French Riviera who is accused of committing some recent jewel thefts. In order to clear his name, John sets out to catch the real thief in action.

Featured Feline: John Robie’s nickname is The Cat and as such a black cat is used to represent him in some of the opening scenes. We see the cat walk back and forth across the French rooftops, mimicking the cat burglar who is coming and going, stealing jewels from rich women’s hotel rooms.

To Catch a Thief - black cat across rooftops and jewel theft animated gif

The same black cat is seen at Robie’s villa. The maid notices the cat sitting on the newspaper on the couch. The headlines talk about the apparent return of The Cat. It’s interesting to note how there are scratches on the paper, as if the cat has been tearing at it.

To Catch a Thief - black cat laying on newspaper across couch

To Catch a Thief - black cat close laying on newspaper across couch

Later in the film the cat is seen sitting on a chair out on the patio. When Hughson (John Williams) the insurance man notes, “Under the circumstances, do you think it pays to advertise?” John points out the cat hasn’t left the villa in years.

To Catch a Thief - black cat sleeping on cushion on chair