To Catch a Thief

To Catch a Thief

Paramount

August 5, 1955

Mystery?

DVD

C-

I didn't care about the story, but I did like the look of this, especially the aerial shots.  This is based on the novel by David Dodge.  Director Hitchcock's cameo is on the bus, fairly early on.

My Favorite Wife

My Favorite Wife

RKO

May 17, 1940

Comedy

DVD
B-

I'd heard about this movie for ages, so I'm glad I finally got to watch it. It didn't knock me out, but I thought it was mostly sweet and quietly funny, especially Cary Grant's asides.  It's more suggestive than other screwball comedies of the era I've seen, including the interesting subtext of Grant's reaction to Randolph Scott in swim trunks.  Garson Kanin directed.

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

RKO

June 4, 1948

Comedy
DVD
C-

I watched the whole movie in the last ten or fifteen years and had mixed feelings then.  This time, I just didn't find the family dynamic funny, even in a sitcom kind of way.  The sarcastic opening narration about New York was much better written.  This is based on the novel by Eric Hodgins and directed by H.C. Potter, who had directed the much livelier Second Chorus seven years earlier.

Indiscretion (1958)

Indiscretion (1958)

Warner Bros.

July 26, 1958

Romance?

DVD
C-

Kind of flat.  Stanley Donen directed.

Houseboat

Houseboat

Paramount

November 19, 1958

Dramedy
DVD
C-

Grant is a widower suddenly raising his estranged children.  Melville Shavelson directed and co-wrote.

Gunga Din

Gunga Din

RKO

February 17, 1939

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

Some novelty value in seeing Cary Grant in a different kind of role, but not enough to hold my interest.  This is based on not only Kipling's poem but one of his short story collections.  George Stevens directed.