To Catch a Thief

Hughson: You are a man of obvious good taste in everything. How did you - I mean, why did you...? Robie: Why did I take up stealing? To live better, to own things I couldn't afford, to acquire this good taste which you now enjoy and which I should be very reluctant to give up. Hughson: Oh, you mean you were frankly dishonest. Robie: I tried to be. Hughson: You know, I thought you'd have some defense, some tale of hardship - your mother ran off when you were young, your father beat you, or something. Robie: Naah, no. I was a member of an American trapeze act in the circus that traveled in Europe. It folded and I was stranded, so I put my agility to a more rewarding purpose. Hughson: You have no other defense. Robie: No. For what it's worth, I only stole from people who wouldn't go hungry. Hughson: I take it you were a sort of modern Robin Hood. I mean, you gave away most of the proceeds of your crimes... Robie: Kept everything myself. Well, let's face it, I was an out-and-out thief, lik

To Catch a Thief (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Mrs. Stevens: [to Robie] How come you haven't made a pass at my daughter? [to Frances] And don't say, "Oh, Mother!" to me. Mr. Burns, I asked you a question. Robie: Very pretty; quietly attractive. Mrs. Stevens: Yeah, but too nice. I'm sorry I ever sent her to that finishing school; I think they finished her there.

To Catch a Thief (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Danielle: Don't you think it's foolish to remain here without knowing what will happen to you? But if you were in South America with me, you will know exactly what will happen. Robie: You make it sound dangerous either way. Danielle: It would be so much nicer to be killed by love, no? Robie: Uh, pardon me while I get the water out of my ear. Danielle: John, you know what sort of men they are at Bertani's. Another robbery and they will do something to you. Robie: Well, I'd better get back. Danielle: [about Francie] But what has she got more than me? Except money, and you are getting plenty of that. Robie: Danielle, you are just a girl. She is a woman. Danielle: Why do you want to buy an old car if you can get a new one cheaper? It will run better and last longer. Robie: Well, it looks as if my old car just drove off. Francie: [swimming up] No, it hasn't, it's just turned amphibious. I thought I'd come out and see what the big attraction was. Robie: Yes. Francie: And possibly even rate a

To Catch a Thief (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Francie: Do you want a leg or a breast? Robie: You make the choice.

To Catch a Thief (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Francie: If you really want to see fireworks, it's better with the lights out. [She turns off the lamps in the room one by one] I have a feeling that tonight, you're going to see one of the Riviera's most fascinating sights... I was talking about the fireworks. Robie: I never doubted it. Francie: The way you looked at my necklace, I didn't know. You've been dying to say something about it all evening. Go ahead. Robie: Why, have I been staring at it? Francie: No, you've been trying to avoid it. Robie: May I have a brandy? Francie: Please. Robie: Do you care for one? Francie: No. Thank you. Some nights a person doesn't need to drink. Doesn't it make you nervous to be in the same room with thousands of dollars' worth of diamonds and unable to touch them? Robie: No. Francie: Like an alcoholic outside of a bar on election day. Robie: [laughs] Wouldn't know the feeling. Francie: All right. You've studied the layout, drawn your plans, worked out your timetable, put on your dark clothes with y

To Catch a Thief (film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Francie: I called the police from your room and told them who you are and everything you've been doing tonight. Robie: Everything? The boys must have really enjoyed that at headquarters!

To Catch a Thief (film), CC BY-SA 4.0