To Catch a Thief (1955): Stanley Cavell and the end of a conventional myth

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Abstract

“To Catch a Thief (1955): Stanley Cavell and the end of a conventional myth” discusses one of Hitchcock’s most memorable scenes: the night Frances (Grace Kelly) and John (Cary Grant) kiss passionately during a firework show. While the standard interpretation of this scene focuses on the psychoanalytic explanation of the fireworks, Stanley Cavell offers another perspective. Cavell focuses on the couple and how they (do not) pay attention to each other. Frances showing off her fake jewelry sets the tone to the couple’s overcoming of their skepticism and achieving self-knowledge. What does the image show without telling? Is the film an obsolete fairy tale, or is it the end of conventional myths? This chapter rethinks the standard interpretation of this scene by considering what we are seeing, what the evidence is, and the historical and social context in which the film was shot.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOne Shot Hitchcock
Subtitle of host publicationA Contemporary Approach to the Screen
EditorsLuke Robinson, Melanie Robson
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages162-176
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9780197682913
ISBN (Print)9780197682876
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Mar 2024

Publication series

NameOxford Scholarship Online

Keywords

  • Alfred Hitchcock
  • To Catch a Thief (film)
  • Grace Kelly
  • Cary Grant
  • Stanley Cavell
  • Philosophy
  • zMyth
  • JEWELRY
  • Comedy

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