To Catch a Thief

Alfred Hitchcock's frothiest entertainment stars Cary Grant as a reformed jewel thief on the French Riviera who immediately comes under suspicion when a cat burglar goes to work on the rich and famous staying in the local luxury hotels. Heiress Grace Kelly decides to play detective the best way she knows how: by romancing the charming rogue. Hitch applies his touch in a few key scenes (fireworks never felt so erotic) but otherwise favors the lavish sets, classy locations and unbearably beautiful stars to any pretense of suspense. It's all about the sparkle of glamour and the romantic smolder of seductive stars playing cagey characters who play at romance with all of their charm. Jessie Royce Landis co-stars as the flighty Kelly's down-to-earth mother and steals one scene simply by stubbing out a cigarette in a fried egg on expensive china: American pragmatism amidst the posh pretentions of European elegance.

Film historian and documentarian Laurent Bouzereau hosts the commentary track with filmmaker and fellow historian Peter Bogdanovich, who describes the film as "almost like a vacation," relaxed and charming, very entertaining but not exactly suspenseful. Bogdanovich is a slow starter but soon slips into his familiar role as both classic-cinema maven and insider raconteur (complete with his de rigueur Hitchcock impressions) and the two keep the conversation wheeling around all things Hitchcock. Also includes the three retrospective featurettes previously available in the earlier release: "The Making of 'To Catch a Thief,'" "Alfred Hitchcock and 'To Catch a Thief,'" and "Writing and Casting 'To Catch a Thief.' " Also includes the archival featurette "Edith Head: The Paramount Years."