To Catch a Thief (1955)

Cary Grant: John Robie

Photos 

55 more photos

Quotes 

• Frances Stevens : Even in this light, I can tell where your eyes are looking.

  [fireworks] 

  Frances Stevens : Look, John. Hold them. Diamonds... The only thing in the world you can't resist. Then tell me you don't know what I'm talking about.

  [fireworks] 

  Frances Stevens : Ever had a better offer in your whole life? One with everything?

  [fireworks] 

  John Robie : I've never had a crazier one.

  Frances Stevens : Just as long as you're satisfied!

  [fireworks] 

  John Robie : You know as well as I do: this necklace is imitation.

  Frances Stevens : Well, I'm not.

• John Robie : Say something nice to her, Danielle.

  Danielle Foussard : She looks a lot older up close.

  [John Robie whimpers] 

  Frances Stevens : To a mere child, anything over twenty might seem old.

  Danielle Foussard : A child? Shall we stand in shallower water and discuss that?

• John Robie : Danielle, you are just a girl. She is a woman.

  Danielle Foussard : Why do you want to buy an old car if you can get a new one cheaper? It will run better and last longer.

• Frances Stevens : You want a leg or a breast?

  John Robie : You make the choice.

• John Robie : You're here in Europe to buy a husband.

  Frances Stevens : The man I want doesn't have a price.

  John Robie : Well, that eliminates me.

• John Robie : [In reference to a beautiful villa they are visiting]  Why don't you own a place like this?

  Frances Stevens : Palaces are for royalty. We're just common people with a bank account.

• Frances Stevens : I called the police from your room and told them who you are and everything you've been doing tonight.

  John Robie : Everything? The boys must have really enjoyed *that* at headquarters!

• Frances Stevens : I have a feeling that tonight you're going to see one of the Riviera's most fascinating sights.

  [pause] 

  Frances Stevens : I was talking about the fireworks!

  John Robie : I never doubted it.

  Frances Stevens : The way you looked at my necklace, I didn't know...

• Frances Stevens : Doesn't it make you nervous to be in the same room with thousands of dollars worth of diamonds, and unable to touch them?

  John Robie : No.

  Frances Stevens : Like an alcoholic outside of a bar on Election Day?

  John Robie : Wouldn't know the feeling.

• John Robie : [to Frances]  Not only did I enjoy that kiss last night, I was awed by its efficiency.

• H. H. Hughson : The pastries are light as air.

  John Robie : Germaine has very sensitive hands and an exceedingly light touch. She strangled a German general - without a sound.

• John Robie : For what it's worth, I never stole from anybody who would go hungry.

• John Robie : I only regret one thing.

  Danielle Foussard : That you never asked me to marry you?

  John Robie : No, that I ever took the time to teach you English.

• John Robie : Miss Stevens?

  Frances Stevens : Yes, Mr. Burns?

  John Robie : You know what I think?

  Frances Stevens : About what?

  John Robie : You.

  Frances Stevens : I don't really care.

• John Robie : May I ask you a personal question?

  Frances Stevens : I've been hoping you would.

• H. H. Hughson : How many did you kill?

  John Robie : 72. But, I know something that'll please you: none of them were insured.

• H. H. Hughson : You are a man of obvious good taste in everything. Why did you...

  John Robie : Why did I take up stealing? To live better, to own things I couldn't afford, to acquire this good taste that you now enjoy and which I should be very reluctant to give up.

  H. H. Hughson : Then you are frankly dishonest.

  John Robie : I try to be.

• Frances Stevens : I'm in love with you.

  John Robie : Now that's a ridiculous thing to say.

• John Robie : Danielle, do me a favor. Don't call me a cat.

  Danielle Foussard : I only do one favor a day.

  Foussard : [he says something angrily to Danielle in French] 

  John Robie : Will you do as your father here asks?

  Danielle Foussard : [mockingly]  Did I brush your fur the wrong way?

• Frances Stevens : I've never caught a jewel thief before. It's stimulating. It's like... It's like...

  John Robie : Like sitting in a hot tub?

• Jessie Stevens : Why do you think we moved so often? Your father was a swindler, dear, but a lovable one. If you ask me, this one's a bigger operator on every level.

  John Robie : Thank you, madam.

• John Robie : You know, I have about the same interest in jewelry that I have in politics, horseracing, modern painting or women who need weird excitement. None!

• John Robie : Well, we only met a couple of minutes ago.

  Danielle Foussard : That's right, only a few minutes ago.

  Frances Stevens : Only a few minutes ago? And you talk like old friends... Ah, well, that's warm, friendly France for you.

• Frances Stevens : John, why bother?

  John Robie : It's sort of a hobby of mine, the truth.

• Frances Stevens : What do you say?

  John Robie : My only comment would be highly censorable.

• John Robie : I only regret one thing.

  Danielle Foussard : That you never asked me to marry you?

  John Robie : No. That I ever took the time to teach you English.

  Danielle Foussard : You only taught me the nouns. I learned the adjectives myself.

• John Robie : You don't have to spend every day of your life proving your honesty, but I do.

• Jessie Stevens : Just why did you come to the Riviera, anyway?

  John Robie : To meet someone as charming as you.

  Jessie Stevens : Boy, now l am going to have you investigated.