It looked as though you were conjugating irregular verbs.
- Say something nice, Danielle. - She looks a lot older up close.
To a mere child, anything over 20 might seem old.
A child? Shall we stand in shallower water and discuss that?
- Enjoying yourself? - It's very nice, the sun and all.
It's too much for me. I'll see you at the hotel.
Finish telling me why French women are more seductive than Americans.
You know what I'd like to tell you!
Here.
Do you have time for me now?
- I'm sorry I was so long out there. - I thought you'd be a lot longer.
Well, what about cocktails? Six o'clock suit you?
We can talk about that on the way.
- To where? - To rent you a villa.
- Picking a villa is personal. - I have my car.
And lunch with chicken and beer.
It's too much to expect. A tiring, dusty trip...
You're bound to get lost. A stranger who doesn't know the language.
I was going to hire an English-speaking chauffeur.
I'll give you a wholesale rate.
- And no tipping. - Your terms are generous.
- Too generous to refuse. - My terms usually are.
- Where's your car? - Right there.
I can't seem to get out of this gracefully, so let's go.
I've been waiting for you to mention that kiss I gave you last night.
Back home in Oregon, we'd call you a headstrong girl.
- Where in Oregon? The Rogue River? - Where were you born?
In a taxi, halfway between home and the hospital.
I've lived in 27 different towns.
- Is somebody chasing you? - Boys.
You can stop running now.
When my father died, they discovered oil on our land. I started to travel.
- The boys' fathers were chasing you? - Yes.
I had a funny feeling they wanted my money.
I'm impressed.
Back in Oregon, we'd have called you a rich, headstrong girl.
- Money handles most people. - You believe that?
- I've proved it. - You're a singular girl.
- Is that good or bad? - Good.
You know what you want, you go after it. Nothing stops you.
You make it sound corny.
You're a jackpot of admirable character traits.
I knew that.
You do things with dispatch. No wasted preliminaries.
Not only did I enjoy that kiss, I was awed by the efficiency behind it.
I believe in getting down to essentials.
Inviting me for breakfast, planning a swim and now this drive.
Miss Stevens, you are a girl in a million.
That's a routine compliment, but I'll accept it.
- May I ask a personal question? - I've been hoping you would.
What do you expect to get out of being nice to me?
- More than you're willing to offer. - I know.
You're in Europe to buy a husband.
- The man I want doesn't have a price. - That eliminates me.
You're right. Give me a woman who knows her own mind.
No one gives you a woman like that. You have to capture her.
- Any particular method? - Yes.
But it's no good unless you discover it yourself.
- Are you sure this is the address? - It's on the estate agent's list.
Let me see.
Let's look at the gardens. No need to bother the people.
Why don't you own a place like this?
Palaces are for royalty. We're just common people with a bank account.
That sounds like your mother, not you.
We're not that different. A few years and some grammar.
And jewellery. You never wear any.
I don't like cold things on my skin.
- Why not invent some hot diamonds? - I prefer more tangible excitement.
- What do you get a thrill out of most? - I'm still looking for that one.
We were going to look at the gardens.
I was interested in the architecture. Turn of the century, isn't it?
You never mention your wife.
- I never found time to get married. - You don't seem pushed for time.
Did you come over to add items to your diary,
like the name of that French girl you swam out to meet?
- You are husband-hunting after all. - That wasn't jealousy you heard.
Merely disappointment in your limited imagination. Teenage French girls!
I bet you snowed her under, the handsome lumber man from America.
I'll bet you told her all your trees were sequoias.
That sounds like jealousy to me. Don't be ashamed of it. Let it out.
- You're somewhat egotistical. - Fighting fire with fire.
- Miss Stevens? - Yes, Mr Burns?
- You know what I think? - About what?
- You. - I don't really care.
Tell me.
You're an insecure, pampered woman, accustomed to attracting men.
You're not sure whether they're attracted to you or your money.
- You may never know. - Anything else?
You need something I haven't the time or inclination to give you.
And what is that?
Two weeks with a good man at Niagara Falls.
I'm hungry. What about that picnic?
Not till we get to the picnic grounds.
- Which you've picked out. - Which I've picked out.
- Is it far? - A few miles.
- Lonely and secluded? - Naturally.
Then why are we dawdling like this?
That's exactly what was running through my mind.
- Slow down. - And let them catch us?
- Let who catch us? - The police who were following you.
Police following me?
Yes, police following you, John Robie, The Cat.
Lovely day! Have you ever seen any place more beautiful?
Just look at the colours of the sea and the sky,
and the pink and green buildings.
Think of all those roofs you could climb over.
- Who did you call me? - John Robie.
The jewel thief known as The Cat. I read about you in the Paris paper.
You may have read about The Cat...
I thought you said you were hungry. The picnic basket's in the trunk.
Try to bluff me, and I can have the fun of telling you how clever I was.
Since I'm not Mr Robie but Mr Burns,
there would be hardly any point, but tell me how clever you were.
- The first thing I noticed... - Don't sound so pleased!
I never caught a jewel thief before. It's stimulating. It's like...
Like sitting in a hot tub?
Let me serve. First time I saw you was on the beach at Cannes.
You swam ashore from a motor boat driven by that French girl.
- You got an opener? Thank you. - Do you want a leg or a breast?
You make the choice.
That was two days before you showed up as Mr Conrad Burns,
just over from America.
- Did you swim? - Naturally.
Don't be disappointing and sound like Mr Burns.
- I can only be myself, Miss Stevens. - Then be yourself, John.
- I prefer Conrad. - You can't be serious.
It's time you called me Francie.
They've tried to steal Mother's jewellery before.
When I read about the... you in the paper, a small item, but I picked it up,
I was sure Mother would catch your eye.
She did, because I liked her.
- So far, Miss Stevens... - Francie.
- You haven't said anything clever. - Stick around.
The next thing I noticed was something remarkable.
All evening, you looked at my mother, not at me.
- I kissed you, didn't I? - I kissed you.
- I wasn't looking at her then. - You were thinking about her.
- You let me say goodnight so easily. - I'm a gentleman.
A rough lumber man from the Northwest?
I must remember to yell "Timber!" occasionally.
Here comes the clever part. You're just not convincing, John.
You're like an American in an English movie.
You don't talk like an American tourist.
The guidebooks say, "Don't behave like a tourist."
You never mention business or baseball or television
or wage freezes or Senate probes.
The things I left America to forget.
You're not American enough to carry it off.
- Tell me, how long has it been? - How long has what been?
- Since you were in America. - Four or five days.
- And Oregon? - Two days before that.
Name three deciduous trees indigenous to the Northwest.
You're a very nice girl with too much imagination.
Talk like that and I'll go to jail for something I didn't do.
Will you rob Mother or somebody else?
- Somebody else! - That's nice. Mother likes you.
Lady Kenton should be our next job. Isn't she on your list?
She ought to be. The Kenton jewels are famous. I know her villa.
- I can hear your next line. - The Cat has a new kitten.
- When do we start? - Don't talk like that.
- You're leaving fingerprints on me. - I am not The Cat.
Why are the police following you? Show me that list.
That villa isn't for rent. The Sanfords own it. I'm going to a party there.
You've a very strong grip. The kind a burglar needs.
That's why you came up here.
We'll have cocktails at 8.00 and dinner at 8.30 in my suite.
We'll talk about it there.
I can't come. I'm going to the casino and a firework display.
There's a better view from my place.
Already got another date.
Everywhere you go, I'll have you paged as John Robie, The Cat.
8.00 and be on time.
- I haven't got a decent watch. - Steal one.
I could not speak with you today, Mr Robie. I did not know your new name.
What were you doing at the Sanford villa?
I supply food for the grand gala. I was inspecting the kitchen.
I do not ask you what you were doing there. You prepare also, no?
There will be many women, rich jewels.
- Just the bait I need. - Something The Cat can't resist?
- I suppose your boys will be there. - Naturally.
They threatened to put me away.
They'd be much too busy to do anything like that.
- You keep them busy. - Goodbye, Robie.
Who was the pretty American girl?
You bring her to my restaurant for dinner?
- Not tonight. She made plans for us. - Soon.
If you want to see the fireworks, it's better with the lights out.
You're going to see one of the Riviera's most fascinating sights.
- I was talking about the fireworks. - I never doubted it.
The way you looked at my necklace, I didn't know.
You've been dying to say something about it.
- Have I been staring at it? - You've been trying to avoid it.
May I have a brandy? Care for one?
No, thank you. Some nights a person doesn't need to drink.
Aren't you nervous to be in a room with diamonds, unable to touch them?
No.
Like an alcoholic outside a bar on election day.
- Wouldn't know the feeling. - All right.
You've studied the layout, worked out your timetable,
put on dark clothes with crìpe-soled shoes and a rope, face blackened.
Over the roofs, down to the right apartment... and the window's locked.
All that elation turned into frustration. What would you do?
I'd go home, get some sleep.
What would you do? The thrill is in front of you, but you can't get it.
The gems glistening on the other side of the window.
- Someone asleep, breathing heavily. - I'd go home, get some sleep.
Wouldn't you use a glass cutter, your fist, to get what you wanted,
knowing it was there waiting for you?
- Forget it. - Drinking dulls your senses.
And if I'm lucky, some of my hearing.
Blue-white with hairlike touches of platinum.
I have the same interest in jewellery as in politics, modern poetry,
or women who need weird excitement: None.
Hold this necklace in your hand and tell me you're not Robie The Cat.
John, you're going to rob that villa we cased this afternoon, aren't you?
I suppose "rob" is archaic. You'd say "knock over"?
Don't worry. I'm good at secrets.
- Have you been to a psychiatrist? - Don't change the subject.
I know the perfect time. Next week is the Sanfords' annual gala.
Everyone who counts will be there. I'll get you an invitation.
It's an 18th-century costume affair.
There'll be thousands of dollars' worth of jewellery.
Some guests stay for the weekend. We'll do it together. What do you say?
My comment would be censorable.
Give up, John. Admit who you are.
I can tell where you're looking.
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.
Ever had a better offer in your whole life? One with everything?
- I've never had a crazier one. - Just as long as you're satisfied.
You know as well as I do this necklace is imitation.
Well, I'm not.
- Give them back to me. - What did you have in mind?
Give them back. Mother's jewels.
I don't have them.
Wait a minute.
- When did it happen? - When I was asleep.
- Let's look. - The place to look is here!
Help yourself.
Did Francie tell you what happened?
Yes, she's searching my room.
- She knew where my jewellery was. - May I look in your room?
If it'll do any good. We ought to call the police and the manager.
Would you let me look first?
I'd be happy if you didn't find anything.
Why do you say that?
I'm tired of draping them over me. It's exciting to have them stolen.
You can't lose, as long as Hughson makes out the cheque.
I'd be crazy to take this attitude if I did.
Why did Francie suspect you, Mr Burns? A woodcutter from Oregon!
I'm anything but that, Mrs Stevens. My real name is John Robie.
I used to be a jewel thief years ago.
- What a wonderful surprise! - I can't get worked up over it.
- Where did you keep the stuff? - In the case.
- Watch out for fingerprints. - There won't be any.
- Did they get everything? - Everything.
Francie must have known about you.
She guessed today. You must sleep soundly.
I do.
He came down through the air shaft.
If you're not Mr Burns, why do you call yourself that and not...
- What was the other name? - John Robie. Mrs Stevens...
- The gang won't let you go straight? - The gang is the law.
Mother, don't talk to him.
Don't touch anything to cover any clues.
There aren't any clues. He came down the air shaft and went the same way.
- You know how he got in. - Did you find anything in my room?
- I certainly did. - Nothing of your mother's.
You gave those to your accomplice.
But the clothes of Mr Burns, the American, all had French labels.
I found this: Everyone on the Riviera with jewellery worth stealing.
Listen to what it says about us.
What good is that? You're already caught.
I called the police and told them who you are and what you did tonight.
Everything? The boys must have enjoyed that down at headquarters.
He isn't Burns. He's a jewel thief called The Cat.
What's he doing here now if he's already got the junk?
- Returning to the scene of crime. - Since when is love a crime?
Robie is a real man, not one of those milksops you take up with.
- Mother, after all. - After all, my foot.
Why do you think we moved so many times? Your father was a swindler.
But a lovable one. This one's a bigger operator on every level.
Thank you.
I've had to travel round after you to keep men like this away from you.
It looks like the blockers are having all the fun.
She doesn't have common sense, I do.
They're my baubles. If I don't care, why should you? They're insured.
Now, where do we go from here?
To jail.
- Where is he? - Who?
- John Robie. - Never heard of him.
Mother, the book you're reading is upside down.
We may be in France, but a man is innocent till proved guilty.
- Proved! - That won't be hard.
John Robie's the first man who wouldn't roll over for you.
He played us both for fools.
You ought to be sent back to public school.
- They could pound sense into you. - He's a worthless thief.
- Just what did he steal from you? - Mother!
Sit down while I tell you something about life and John Robie.
Sit down before I knock you down.
For three days, you've been fishing?
Keep it down. Do you still believe I did the Stevens job?
Yes, until you sent for me. You'd hardly risk my bringing the police.
Thank you.
You've been in hiding. Why did you come out?
- I need your help. - I need yours more.
My superiors at the London office...
I might solve some of your problems, possibly all.
- That's too much to hope for. - I've been watching a villa.
- Which one? - The South American couple.
Somebody else is watching it too, but I haven't managed to find out who.
- Has he seen you? - Probably.
I want to set a foolproof trap. I need the assistance of the police.
I can't approach them.
- How do you know he'll be there? - Somebody gave this to Germaine.
It's in French. What does it say?
"Stay away from the Silvas' villa. It's my night to yell, not yours."
- Who gave it to Germaine? - It was in her shopping basket.
Look, convince Lepic to have police at the villa soon after midnight.
- You're going there? - Of course.
That note is bait for a trap. Someone wants you to go to the Silvas'.
- I know it. - Possibly to kill you.
- Will you talk to Lepic? - All right.
But if this Cat doesn't show up,
the police might get you and the thing will turn out rather badly.
I'd better go along as your alibi.
I know you get insurance at a discount but why be foolhardy?
Everyone in Philadelphia reads "The Bulletin".
Just a minute.
- What's all the excitement? - The cat burglar's dead.
John Robie?
No, a man named Foussard. A wine steward in a restaurant.
You better start practising your apologies in two languages.
You're positive Foussard was The Cat?
We have no reason to change the story.
- That's hardly a direct answer. - I cannot give another. Excuse me.
One more point, Lepic. This is a cheque for $280,000.
That's nearly 92 million francs. Since you've killed The Cat...
He killed himself attempting to escape justice.
I've been instructed to pay off the Stevens claim.
I'm disinclined to do so if recovery of the jewellery is imminent. Is it?
- It will take time. - Several centuries!
I just came in to congratulate you on your capture.
All's well that ends well. The papers have headlines, tourists can relax.
You, Lepic, got your publicity and a commendation from Paris.
Everyone got some good out of it, except Hughson's company.
- But they can afford it. - It has cut their assets.
Poor Foussard. Never guessed it was him, a wine waiter.
Family man, wooden leg.
Didn't you know? Certainly. He lost it during the War. That's remarkable.
A man with a wooden leg climbs up walls with the agility of a cat.
- Is that true? - I believe he had a bad leg.
You showed good taste keeping it out of the newspapers.
I'll drop into Foussard's funeral, pay my last respects.
Oh, and get a look at the real Cat, who'll be there purring.
- You know who the real Cat is? - I do.
- Tell the Commissioner. - He wouldn't believe me.
- Try me. - You'd find it hard to believe.
When I catch The Cat with a handful of stolen diamonds...
It's because I gave this story you're at liberty.
If I catch you on a roof, I'll call the reporters again.
Lepic, that's all I wanted to know. Good day.
- A most unhappy affair, Robie. - Because it isn't me down there?
Poor Danielle. I have a great compassion for her.
I'll look out for her.
What happened to the stuff he stole?
That's a mystery. The police have looked in every place.
- Some day, it'll turn up. - The boys owe you many thanks.
- For what? - You know.
For risking prison to capture The Cat.
Oh, that.
But you have no reason to complain.
Could you be a little more specific?
The American girl, what's her name?
Francie Stevens, that the one?
What luck.
A beautiful woman with love for you, rich beyond your dreams.
- I dream pretty rich. - When are you going to America?
I didn't know I was.
You will make a great mistake if you don't marry her
and return to your native country.
Let's talk about it at the Sanford gala, between your catering duties.
- You are not invited. - I will be.
- What costume will you wear? - Something to surprise you.
Good luck.
Killer! It's because of you he is dead!
Get out! Get out of here! Killer, "voleur", murderer!
John?
- Will you make it hard to apologise? - Not at all, I'm sure you're sorry.
You know I am. I had no idea of the things you were up against.
What are your plans now?
- Now what? - That the cat burglar's dead.
Foussard isn't The Cat. The man had a wooden leg.
- Wasn't he trying to rob a villa? - He was trying to kill... me.
- Why? - I was too close to The Cat.
- Who killed him? - If I find out, I'll let you know.
- Bye, Francie. - John, why bother?
- It's a hobby of mine, the truth. - Let me do something to help you.
No, thanks. You've made your apology. Let's go back to mutual disregard.
Mr Robie, I was wrong about you, I think. You might be wrong about me.
Well, I may never know.
- Pardon me... - I won't pardon you!
I'm in love with you.
- That's a ridiculous thing to say. - Is it?
- To you, words are just playthings. - Were playthings.
- I'll make you a sporting offer. - I don't know if I'm up to it now.
Get me an invitation to the Sanfords.
- You can't go without a costume. - What are you wearing?
Louis XV. Mother and I got them in Paris.
I'll phone you in a day or two.
You probably wonder why I want to go.
I have an idea.
I thought you might like to see a real burglar in action.
Will it be dangerous?
Not for tourists.
We're in! Any man without a lady on his arm can only be a policeman.
- My nerves could stand a drink. - Your nerves and your mother!
There they are, Commissioner Lepic and one of his men.
Wigs, pantaloons and flat feet. Come on.
My heart pills! I can't drink champagne without my pills.
- Where do you think you left them? - In our room. They're in my purse.
- Be a sweetie, John, and get them. - Of course. I'd be delighted.
- Mother! - All I said was...
Never mind what you said.
Thank you, dear.
Shall we dance?
Well, I hope the London office appreciate what I've done for them.
My feet are killing me.
Mother was quite an actress.
She played her part well. Heart pills!
I didn't think this scheme of yours would work, Francie. But it has.
I figured it was you the night your father died. You always did his legwork!
Come down!
Come down or we shall be forced to shoot!
- He's not The Cat! - What does he do on that roof?
- Your job. - I only believe what I see.
- Shoot him and I'll... - Robie's where I knew he'd be.
He's not alone up there.
- Pull me up! - Don't shout, it makes me nervous.
- Then drop me. - Whatever you say.
You've got a full house. Begin the performance.
- What performance? - Tell them who is really who.
Please, I might slip.
- I can hold you for 30 seconds. - I did it for my father.
That's fine, but I already know. Tell them down there.
- I kill you when I get up there. - Tell them.
I was working for my father! Now, please!
- Your father is dead. Who else? - That's all.
My fingers are beginning to open.
Tell them who was behind it. Who knew as much about me as I knew? Go on!
- Bertani's was behind it. - You're telling them, remember.
- Bertani's was behind it! - That's right.
Now, please, I'll die!
- Who brought you here? - The police.
We'd have caught you if my dress hadn't got caught on the gear shift.
- I only just said goodbye. - As quickly as you could.
- Didn't I thank you? - Politely.
You left in such a hurry you almost ran!
I had work to do up here.
Were you afraid to admit you just can't do everything by yourself?
You needed the help of a good woman.
You aren't the lone wolf you think you are.
Without you I couldn't have done it. I needed the help of a woman.
I guess I'm not the lone wolf I thought I was, Francie.
Well, I just wanted to hear you say that. Thank you.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye.
So this is where you live. Mother will love it up here!