(Alfred Hitchcock, US 1955, 106 min., 35mm)
This romantic comedy was director Alfred Hitchcock’s third venture with stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Though the film is motivated by the mystery of who is emulating a reformed jewel thief’s modus operandi, Hitch’s real concern seems to be in arranging a series of slyly sophisticated interludes between the suave and debonair Grant and the exquisite and playful Kelly. The attraction between Kelly and Grant, which literally results in fireworks, is marked by delay and diversion until Hitchcock wraps up this confection with the headstrong Kelly catching her thief and Grant catching the copycat. The French Riviera has never looked so good and this pairing of VistaVision and Technicolor secured the film an Oscar for Best Cinematography in 1956.