The Corner Penthouse

Paramount recently released the To Catch a Thief (1955) (Steelbook) 4K UHD. Read on to find out more about it...

[ SYNOPSIS ]

When John Robie (Cary Grant), a reformed jewel thief once known as "The Cat", is suspected of new gem thefts in the luxury hotels of the French Riviera, he sees a plot to clear himself after meeting pampered heiress Frances (Grace Kelly). Romantic sparks fly as the suspense builds in this essential Alfred Hitchcock hybrid of romance and thrills.

[ SPECIFICATIONS ]

The movie is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a runtime of 1:46:30 The movie has been rated (in 2013) PG for some action violence, mild suggestive material and smoking. Audio languages include English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese. Subtitle languages include English, English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish.

[ SPECIAL FEATURES ]

All of the content listed below can be found on the 4K UHD disc. Missing are these Blu-ray extras: four still galleries ("Movie", "Publicity", "Visitors to the Set", and "Production"), and an "interactive travelogue" that allowed viewers to learn about Mediterranean locales with narration playing over clips from the film. If Paramount had included a Blu-ray disc, as they did with Small Soldiers, these would (likely) not be missing.

• Audio Commentary - with Hitchcock film historian Drew Casper.
• Filmmaker Focus: Leonard Maltin on To Catch a Thief (7:19) - Film critic Leonard Maltin gives a brief discussion on the film.
• A Night with the Hitchcocks (23:21) - On November 19, 2008 at the University of Southern California, Hitchcock family members granddaughter Mary Stone and daughter Pat Hitchcock fielded questions from students. The event was moderated by Drew Casper.
• Unacceptable Under the Code: Censorship in Hollywood (11:50) - A history of Hollywood's moral "production" code and how Hitchcock's work contrasted against it.
• Writing and Casting To Catch a Thief (9:04) - An examination of the film's quality of writing.
• The Making of To Catch a Thief (16:56) - An examination of shooting both in France and on the Paramount lot, costuming, the script, the acting, and more.
• Behind the Gates: Cary Grant and Grace Kelly (6:07) - An overview of the careers of the two actors and their on-screen chemistry.
• Alfred Hitchcock and To Catch a Thief: An Appreciation (7:32) - A look at Hitchcock's style, this film's structure, the director's personality, and his granddaughter's study of his films.
• Edith Head: The Paramount Years (13:43) - The costume designer is the focus of this retrospective piece.
• Theatrical Trailer (2:11)

[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]

A digital copy code voucher is included inside the beautiful Steelbook case, which features the original movie poster imagery of John Robie (Cary Grant) and Frances Stevens (Grace Kelly) on the front, and a silhouette of John and a cat on the back. The inside features a photo of John and Frances with Mediterranean scenery spread across both sides.

[ NOTES ]

To Catch a Thief (1955) is available on 4K UHD + Blu-ray Steelbook, Blu-ray (Paramount Presents), and DVD. This classic Hitchcock thriller has never looked so good. The colors really pop in this new 4K transfer. If only Paramount included the previously-released Blu-ray disc so we could have the missing extras. RECOMMENDED.

This item has been provided by Paramount for review on this site.