Movie Matinee Monday: To Catch a Thief (1955)

My opinions on the poster:

We've got Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, looking lovely as usual.  The bottom portion features a scene straight out of the movie; I like that the poster uses this scene, as it shows the mystery of the film.  I don't understand where there's all the blue up top.....and why just Cary's and Grace's heads are on there.

The stars:

Cary Grant ~ as John Robie (the Cat)

Grace Kelly ~ as Frances (Francie) Stevens

Jessie Royce Landis ~ as Jessie Stevens

Brigitte Auber ~ as Danielle Foussard

John Williams ~ as H.H. Hughson

The critic's opinions:

4.5/5 stars

This is undoubtedly one of my favorite Old Hollywood films.  Everything about it is perfect.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.  John Robie (Cary Grant) used to be a notorious cat burglar working for the French Resistance.  But now he just wants to live peacefully in his house and vineyard....but that's not going to happen.  After a string of robberies that closely parallel his former thieving style occur, the police are quick to put the blame on him.  But Robie escapes (with the help of his former Resistance buddies, especially Danielle Foussard) and heads to the Riveria, where he enlists an insurance salesman, H.H. Hughson, to help him save his reputation and catch the real 'Cat'. Things get complicated when the list of people worth stealing jewels from includes Francie Stevens (Grace Kelly) and her mother (Jessie Royce Landis). But Francie likes John very much, and is more than willing to help him catch the Cat.  Who really is the Cat?

One of my favorite Old Hollywood actors, Cary Grant, is fabulous as John Robie.  He's perfect for the role, and who doesn't enjoy seeing him and Grace on the French Riveria?  It's a lovely setting, with plenty of beautiful costume opportunities for Grace.  This film includes some of my favorite movie costumes of all time.  The suspense/mystery portion of the plot is intriguing and fun, with a dash of suspense.  This is my kind of mystery film: no bloodshed or yucky stuff, just sneaking around on roofs (dodging gunshots) and trying to catch the to cat burglar!!  Landis is hilarious and amusing as Francie's mother...and she actually couldn't care less about her jewelry!  "They're insured!" she informs Francie with a wave of her hand.  Grace really made very few films while in Hollywood, but this one is near the very top of the list as a favorite.  It's funny, suspenseful, romantic, and beautiful all in one neat little package.

The bottom line:

Please do not miss this film.  It's an amazing watch, and perfect for viewing with a big bag of popcorn and a cozy chair (for gripping the handrests!! ;-). ). I believe it's one of the best Old Hollywood films ever, and wholeheartedly recommend it.  It's high on my list for movies to own on DVD.

My favorite film moments {I try to stay spoiler-free}:

~ The ending

~ The costume ball....laced with a aura of suspense, with beautiful costumes all over the place!  Francie's ball gown is ridiculous and crazy, but it's lovely all the same.

~ The drive along the Riveria; Francie is a rather ruthless driver, but also a very capable one.

Photographs:

Behind-the-scenes:

Movie trailer:

The Impeccably Awesome.....Hair Scarf

Yep, I'm writing an entire post on hair/head scarves.  ;-). You know, those impeccable, vintage, classic hair scarves worn in the 50s? Uh huh, those.  This topic came to my mind yesterday, because it's gotten pretty chilly around here, and I wear one when it gets cold.  Actually, I'd wear one all the time, just because I love them so much, but then I get accused of looking like a peasant or something like that......so, I don't.  But who cares what other people say?  I'm considering wearing one all of the time anyway.  In any event, my sister can't stand my hair scarves.  Can. Not. Stand. Them.  I don't even know why, I guess it just drives her crazy.  Which is odd.  Which also means I get picked on a lot from her on said hair scarves.  So, I'm here to present to you the case of the awesomeness of vintage-style hair scarves. :D

Hair scarves were worn especially in the late 40s and the 50s, and the 60s too, to protect women's hairstyles, and also keep them pristine in the wind when you're in the car traveling.  To be fair, I haven't particularly got a 'hairstyle' to protect, but I wear it anyways. ;-). There's even a certain way of wearing one, called the Grace Kelly Wrap, named after....you guessed it, Grace Kelly.  She wore hers this way, and this is also the way I generally wear mine.  I don't usually do the 60s triangular style hair scarf, event though I like them too. Most women/girls nowadays consider hair scarves super duper old fashioned....and I don't mean old fashioned like cool retro or something.  They actually think its old fashioned; as in, "why in the world would you wear that?  Nobody does that anymore; how silly!!"  Yeah, that kind of old fashioned. But stupid as it sounds, hair scarves make me feel sorta elegant, I guess, and like I'm in an old movie.  Kind of Grace Kelly-ish too!! :-).  Plus I think hair scarves give a kind of elegant chic air, nice and vintage.  I also think they frame your face very well.  The good thing is, hair scarves were back in trend for 2013-14, but I still didn't see many people wearing them.  I suppose that didn't go too well, so they're 'out of style' again.  But I'm going to keep wearing them anyways. :-)

So, you've probably gotten the idea that I love my hair scarves. Which I do.  :-). And after all that blathering about them, I'm going to close this post with pictures of these lovely ladies wearing hair scarves.  (I do not own any of the pictures). Enjoy!! :-)

Grace Kelly

Elizabeth Taylor

The scarf style in the first picture shows the triangular 60s style.  I don't usually wear mine like that though. :-)

Audrey Hepburn (my favorite actress of all time <3)

The style shown here is what most made me want to wear hair scarves.  It just looks so elegant. :-). This is also how I usually wear them.

Again shown here is the 60s scarf style.

And again the 60s style here.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis

Thank you very much for reading!! :-)