Frances Stevens: You want a leg or a breast?

John Robie: You make the choice.
Jessie Stevens: Sorry I ever sent her to finishing school. I think they finished her there.
Frances Stevens: Are you sure you were talking about water skis? From where I sat it looked as though you were conjugating some irregular verbs.
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?
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.
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: You don't have to spend every day of your life proving your honesty, but I do.
[last lines]

Frances Stevens: So this is where you live? Oh, Mother will love it up here!
Frances Stevens: My nerves could stand a drink.

Jessie Stevens: Your nerves and your mother!
John Robie: For what it's worth, I never stole from anybody who would go hungry.
Danielle Foussard: I heard some talk in the kitchen. They say, "What a pity if they must kill The Cat!"
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.
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.
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?
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.
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: 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.
Frances Stevens: Maybe Mr. Hughson doesn't care for gambling.

Jessie Stevens: Everyone likes to gamble in one way or another, even you!

Frances Stevens: I have an intense dislike for it.

Jessie Stevens: Francie, dear, when the stakes are right, you'll gamble!
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.
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!
John Robie: May I ask you a personal question?

Frances Stevens: I've been hoping you would.
Frances Stevens: The cat has a new kitten.
Frances Stevens: You're leaving fingerprints on my arm.
Frances Stevens: What do you say?

John Robie: My only comment would be highly censorable.
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.
Frances Stevens: I'm in love with you.

John Robie: Now that's a ridiculous thing to say.
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: 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.
H. H. Hughson: How many did you kill?

John Robie: 72. But, I know something that'll please you: none of them were insured.
Jessie Stevens: [referring to John] Handsome. I wouldn't mind buying *that* for you.
John Robie: [to Frances] Not only did I enjoy that kiss last night, I was awed by its efficiency.
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: Mother, the book you're reading is upside down!
Frances Stevens: I bet you told her all your trees are sequoias.
Jessie Stevens: I know you ought to be spanked with a hairbrush and sent back to school - public school - where they could pound some sense into you during recess.
Frances Stevens: John, why bother?

John Robie: It's sort of a hobby of mine, the truth.
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.
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!
Frances Stevens: Some nights a person doesn't need to drink.
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.
Jessie Stevens: Avez-vous bourbon?

To Catch a Thief Quotes

Extended Reading

To Catch a Thief short comments

Claud 2022-03-27 09:01:09

Hitchcock's thinking is broad, and mentally handicapped children are more joyful.
Westley 2022-03-27 09:01:09

A very good love suspense movie. The part where the heroine pursues the hero is particularly interesting, and the sense of rhythm is also very cleverly grasped, which is the essence of the whole film. Including bickering with French girls on the beach board, drag racing, watching fireworks in the guest room, apology and more. So I suspect that the theme of this movie is actually love. The so-called suspense, detection, and catching thieves are actually just a foreshadowing and background. Because compared to the part of love, the suspenseful part of catching a thief is simply weak. The heroine is really well shaped, with layers and life. After checking, it turned out to be the princess. No wonder it smells so elegant. 8 points.