Dec 4, 2011

Things from "How to steal a million" I had forgotten

I know, how could I forget this little 1965 Autobianchi Bianchina Convertible (nope, I'm not a car expert, I just visited the awesome Internet Movie Cars Database). I need this car, I know with it I would finally get my license and overcome my parking fears.

This scene is the closest Audrey got to work with Hitch in a movie. Well, besides that unmade movie called No Bail for the Judge, from which Audrey withdrew (read more about it).

I had forgotten the super fun lines everyone delivers in this film! A few examples:
Simon Dermott: There's the bathroom, take off your clothes.
Nicole Bonnet: Are we planning the same sort of crime?

Charles Bonnet: This tall, good-looking ruffian with blue eyes, he didn't, er, molest you in any way, did he?
[Nicole is staring off dreamily]
Charles Bonnet: Well, did he?
Nicole Bonnet: Not... much.

Nicole Bonnet: I can't drive a stolen car!
Simon Dermott: Same principle, four gears forward, one reverse.

Nicole Bonnet: I didn't want to keep you waiting, so I got engaged to him. Is it alright? Am I on time?
Simon Dermott: Perfectly. In fact, we have ten more minutes, so if you want to go back and marry him?

Simon Dermott: [about to see Nicole to a taxi] Just one more tiny favour: like an idiot I forgot to wear gloves on the job. I may have left some fingerprints. Be an angel. Before you go to bed, just give the frame of the painting a little wipe with a clean cloth, ok?
Nicole Bonnet: Certainly. Anything else? You wouldn't like a forged passport or some counterfeit money or...

Nicole Bonnet: Your arm is much better.
Simon Dermott: Oh no no, it hurts, it hurts.
Nicole Bonnet: It's the other arm.
Simon Dermott: The infection is spreading.

Tuxedo Tuco! I always remember Elli Wallach as the bandit from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, so it's quite a change seeing him all dressed up and speaking to super "modern" dictaphones in his car.
I also thought about how he's still working (his part in The Holiday is memorable) while it's been almost 20 years since Audrey passed away.

Click to enlarge.

And Nicole's grandmother looks like Audrey in My fair lady :)

The rest, I had not forgotten. The classy musical score, Audrey's underrated timing for comedy, the marvelous cast, Paris, etc, etc, etc...

Do you like How to steal a million?

4 comments:

  1. Clara, I had loved HOW TO STEAL A MILLION when I was a youngster, and it's been quite some time since the last time I watched it. Your funny, charming post reminded me again of how much I enjoyed it, and I look forward to watching it again soon, since it's been showing up on our area's cable channels! Is that car adorable or what? Thanks for the link to WRITING WITH HITCHCOCK's post about the ill-fated NO BAIL FOR THE JUDGE, too! Although I've read it before, it was well worth reading again, and it's a must for the Hitchcock completists among us! Delightful post, Clara!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I adore this movie! I admit that I saw it in the movies when it first came out and it was the beginning of a mad crush on Peter O'Toole that survives to this day. A totally lovely Hollywood glamour movie that - truly - they just can't seem to make any more.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just love How to Steal a Million. I only saw it for the first time a few months ago, but I've watched it repeatedly since then to make up for lost time. :) I love the closet scene.

    ~Kristin

    ReplyDelete
  4. My favorite movie OF ALL TIME!! Art, Paris, Audrey, Givenchy, and Peter O'Toole.. nothing better!!

    ReplyDelete