THIEF
US, 1971, 74 minutes, Colour.
Richard Crenna, Angie Dickinson, Cameron Mitchell.
Directed by William Graham.
Thief is a brief look at a middle-aged American who has been a thief since a teenager and a gambler. He is in financial difficulties, wanting to get money to pay Reno gambling debts. We see him in action, with his sympathetic lawyer, with a woman with whom he has been living for some months and wants to marry to be the mother of his estranged son. While the ingredients are slight, the film gains from the strengths of the performances and offers brief insight into the characters. The action is brought to a sudden, ironic, violent ending.
Richard Crenna is persuasive as the irresponsible gentleman thief. Angie Dickenson is sympathetic. Cameron Mitchell gives a surprisingly warm performance as the lawyer who does his best for his client. Robert Webber is the Reno boss.
An interesting character study with social implications.
1. Interesting and entertaining telemovie? Character study? Social observations?
2. Americana - affluent city life, the good life, the gambling casinos, the jewellery shops, wealthy homes? Law, social workers?
3. The title and the focus on Neil? On his 'vocation'? The film's sympathetic but critical portrayal of the thief?
4. Neil and his relationship with Jeannie, his avoiding Charlie's phone call, his robbing the woman and still being charming to her, the encounter with Charlie, the decision to go to Reno? His visit to the social worker - and the social worker's dissatisfaction with his progress?, The decision to take Jeannie to Reno after the lunch, the gift of the pearls? Her hesitation? His love for her, wanting to marry her, his hoping to gain custody of his child? His irresponsibility, the gambling at Reno, losing more money? His dealings with the fence, bargaining for sales of jewellery, borrowing money? His not wanting to face his creditor? His decision to go in, the clash? His facing some responsibility? The decision to return home; to do more burglaries, his suave skill in robbery, manners? The reconciliation with Jeannie and telling her the truth? The desperate phone call to Charlie - unable to help him anymore? The irony of the thief in his own home, having read his card, deliberating that there was money, shooting him? The meaning of his life?
5. Jeannie and her broken marriage, relationship with Neil, man of mystery, hestitations, not knowing anything about him, the lunch and her waiting, the man trying to pick her up, her love for Neil, puzzle, the gift of the pearls, going to Reno, the return, hearing the truth - and the irony of her sleeping while he was killing?
6. Charlie as a decent lawyer, his phone calls, his contact with Neil, the fact that Neil did not tell him the truth, his going to Reno with him, pleading with the financial boss, his sympathy, not wanting a person to go to jail? Final exasperation during the phone call in the night?
7. The social worker, concern, exasperation with Neil and his irresponsibility? The chance meeting with the petty thief in the office and the irony of his coming and killing him?
8. The world of Reno, casinos, big business, financial interests, loans, debts? James Callander and his style, his reading Neil correctly, treating him realistically but toughly, his attitude towards Charlie? His comments on responsibility and accepting it?
9. The picture of the fence, his contacts, his control of Neil, the many robberies? His being able to control the money?
10. The glimpse of the people robbed - the woman doing the shopping, the society party and Neil using his charm? The world of affluence and consequent robberies?
11. Brief character sketches? Psychologically credible? The basic situations - and the insights offered?
