THE THIEF WHO CAME TO DINNER

US, 1973, 105 minutes, Colour.
Ryan O'Neal, Jacqueline Bissett, Warren Oates, Jill Clayburgh, Charles Cioffi.
Directed by Bud Yorkin.

The Thief Who Came To Dinner is a very entertaining piece of froth if you are in the mood for froth - a stab at our dishonest world by an honest thief. There is enough humour (and strong audience identification with the robberies) to make the amoral joke worthwhile. Ryan O'Neal is the thief and the film is clearly made for fans of his style. All he has to do is look athletic and genial (a lovely thief) and frequently don a smug smirk that certainly won over a fairly large audience of ladies. Warren Oates is very good as the frustrated insurance investigator. A pleasant way to spend 100 minutes.

1. How enjoyable a comedy was this? What was the point of its being made - besides frothy entertainment? Did it have a point?

2. Comment on the role of computers in this modern comedy. The computer world and the heroes opting out of it. Computers for his chess game? The atmosphere of machines and humans in today's world? The nature of the hero in this atmosphere? Opting out of his job, divorcing his wife, abandoning traditional rat-race, abandoning morality? How did audiences identify with him as a hero?

3. The highlight on the thief. The fact that he was the hero, Ryan O'Neal's personality, his belief that everybody robs? Therefore, he was an honest thief. Is there such a thing? Did it matter for the enjoyment of the film? What attitudes to morality did it presuppose in the audience?

4. How attractive a hero was Webster McGee? On seeing his practising his skill, his casing his first house, posing as a plumber, succeeding in the robbery? How was the audience made accomplice to this? our seeing things from his point of view?

5. How ingenious were his robberies? How successfully filmed were they? Enjoyment and excitement? His relationship to Laurie? The use he made of blackmailing? Invitations to dinner and entry into society? The satire on snobbery?

6. How interesting a heroine was Laurie? Typical Hollywood heroine? Her testing of Webster for his breaking into a house? Why did she take up with him? Did their relationship develop into love? Why did she partner him in his crimes? How amoral a character was she? Did it matter for this film?

7. How was the astro-ball and the intercutting of the robbery a highlight of the film? The nature of the car-chase in this film, the role of the police? Was this comparable to robbery films? Was it better?

8. Comment on Deams and dynamite. The role in society of fences? The comedy that they provided? Their relationship to Webster McGee?

9. Did you enjoy Warren Oates as Dave Riley? Why? The comedy in this performance? The relentlessness of his pursuit? His foolishness? That he was so likeable? Did you hope he would succeed in catching Webster McGee? How did Dave Riley's pursuit add to the drama of the comedy?

10.How enjoyable was the duel with the chess expert? The use of the computer, the cheeky leaving of a chess piece and the next move? The frantic play of the expert?

11.What happened to Webster in his robberies? His vanity? His self-esteem? The ex-wife coming to try to reconcile with him because he was so successful? (The ironic comment in this?)

12.How interesting was the big robbery? How well communicated to the audience were the plans for its success? The museum itself, the renting of the house, his disguise as a priest? How exciting was the robbery and the fact that he almost did not get away? The chase and the flight away? Was this a successful part of the film? Why?

13.The effort that Webster made to deceive Dave Riley even when he was wounded? The fact then that Dave Riley was sacked, and yet caught Webster when he was not officially in pursuit? The dilemma with which Webster escaped? Were you glad? Did you feel sorry for Dave Riley?

14.How enjoyable was this film on the whole? Its comments on crime? its comment on modern morals? Its comment on American society?