To Catch a Thief

This movie is what they used to call "a real hoot." For one thing, it’s a visual feast—and I don’t just mean the exquisite Grace Kelly. The French Riviera scenery is spectacular. Meanwhile, Cary Grant is Cary Grant, with all that entails; all the performances—from stars and supporting cast—are spot on; Hitchcock’s direction is as good and exciting and clever as ever; and the script delivers both clever turns of phrase and exciting action in equal doses. The only rub is that there’s a lot of French spoken in the film, without subtitles, because in 1955 it was assumed that any educated person would know a certain amount of the language. That’s hardly a deal breaker—you know what’s being said from context—but it can take the viewer out of the moment to an extent. Otherwise this is classic cinematic entertainment at its finest. If it tries to steal your admiration, let it. 

Charade

It’s like a sophistication overdose: Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, in Paris no less. Grant may have been showing his age a bit here in the early ‘60s—the very sly, witty script even jokes about it repeatedly—but he still brings plenty of suave to this offering, a charm offensive that perfectly complements Hepburn’s own considerable charisma in this ever-so-urbane yet never stuffy romantic whodunnit thriller. The City of Light setting helps pump up the cultivated atmosphere, providing a context that magnifies the stars’ natural qualities. The supporting cast of later well-known but then still-developing actors does excellent work in giving the top-billed characters strong but never overshadowing support. And that script really shines, with its steady peppering of snappy lines to go with its smart but not distractingly overdone story twists. Really enjoyable stuff that should receive any true movie buff’s stamp of approval. 

That Touch of Mink

A movie from another time and another place ...  and given how radically different the vision is from the world of today, it's practically by and about a different species (and I don't mean mink). For those of us with a slightly more expansive view of life, and particularly human relations, this is a movie that it’s hard to watch without having a big grin on your face. The humor throughout the story is light, breezy, dry and droll, a quality that is helped immensely by Cary Grant being Cary Grant and delivering his lines with his classic aplomb. Doris Day gets in her share of gentle zingers, too, while the supporting cast in roles large and small deliver snappy moments that pick up the slack whenever the principals need a break. Additional pleasures come from the time machine visuals of early ‘60s New York City like the Automat, various city locations, and even old Yankees Stadium (complete with cameos from Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra). Mostly, the fun comes from watching outdated manners and mores played for laughs in their native habitat and time frame. Such a story, with these sensibilities, would be impossible to tell today; you have to reach back in time via the magic of cinema to get an experience like this. The bad old days weren’t always bad, and tomorrow—or today, for that matter—ain’t as good as it seems…and here’s the proof. 

Monkey Business

As with the titular primates, antics like this are only so amusing. It's surprising that this one is a bit of a miss, as it not only features Cary Grant (normally comedy gold) and Ginger Rogers (a star's star if there ever was one), but also provides opportunities to stare at a fairly young Marilyn Monroe. Alas, even such luminary presences cannot overcome an uneven script that features more silliness than actual comedy. Once upon a time, antics like this were all people needed to see to have a good time at the movies, and I wouldn't entirely call this a waste of time; there are good moments for sure. But overall, this flick just lacks a certain funny essence that the best comedic movies -- even those from way back in the day -- had and have in spades.

The Bishop's Wife

A bit odd in concept: a helpful angel who covets a churchman's wife? That's not exactly canon, but hey, when the angel is Cary Grant, I guess the rules will stretch. Moral twitches aside, the film is at its best when it sticks with being subtle. A dominant low-key approach is almost undermined by a few scenes of half-assed screen magic that threaten to drive the proceedings right into silliness. But the story's sincerity ultimately wins the day, making for an entertaining and effecting film experience.

His Girl Friday

A clever romantic comedy wrapped around a biting satire of the newspaper business and politics. It's somewhat dated, of course; the film came out in 1940, and today would be about television journalism rather than newspapers. But the script remains clever throughout, and appealing performances by leads Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell give the viewer something to hang his hat on. The final scoop: worth a look.

Topper

Of course it's a comedy--what's funnier than rich, dead alcoholics? This is supposed to be a classic, but really it's a major disappointment. The humor has not aged well; the supposedly sophisticated comedic hijinx come off as mere shallow silliness. All in all, the story just never really catches fire, and even the presence of the great Cary Grant can't save it. Forget this one.

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

You get the feeling that this movie should have been better than it is. A better narrative structure might have helped. We don't really need the narration--just give us the story straight, please. Then again, you get to spend a couple of hours watching Cary Grant, doing his usual comedic best, so that's nothing to sneeze at.

Gunga Din

Not quite the rollicking ride that a modern viewer expects from an action adventure flick. And there's a little too much plot getting in the way of the story (mostly romantic subplot stuff--utterly unnecessary). But then again, there are some great scenes in here, including some iconic moments that served as a springboard for any number of following filmmakers. Those scenes by themselves make it worth a look.