Director
Alfred Hitchcock
Leading Actors/Actresses
Cary Grant, Grace Kelly
Supporting Actors/Actresses
Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams, Brigitte Auber
Genre
Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Language
English
Awards
Won One Academy Award: Best Cinematography, Color
Date of Release
1955
Producer
Alfred Hitchcock
Setting and Context
French Riviera post World War II
Narrator and Point of View
Point of view is that of John Robie
Tone and Mood
Mysterious, Dramatic, Romantic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist is John Robie. Antagonist is Danielle.
Major Conflict
Someone is robbing fine jewels all along the French Riviera and it appears to be The Cat, John Robie, but he knows it is an impostor and he must prove so.
Climax
Danielle is caught attempting her last robbery on the roof at the masquerade party, and Robie makes her admit she is the thief to clear his name before saving her life.
Foreshadowing
The cat on the roof at the beginning of the film foreshadows there will be mystery ahead.
Understatement
It's understated that Danielle is the daughter of a man who Robie apparently betrayed.
Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques
N/A
Allusions
Robie in relationship to the workers at the restaurant is an allusion to those who must pay a price for their crimes long-term and those who fall into a bed of feathers.
Paradox
Frances and her mother are apparently high-class aristocrats from America but paradoxically enjoy the thrill of crime.
Parallelism
The opening scene of the black cat parallels the closing scene of Robie chasing down Danielle dressed in all black.
