The Thief
Seen it?1952 | 85 min | Crime, Thriller
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (80% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved North by Northwest, start here.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 25 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1952: an older pace and style.
A chance accident causes a nuclear physicist, who's selling top secret material to the Russians, to fall under FBI scrutiny and go on the run.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
80% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 13K people sought it out in the past year
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North by Northwest
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Weeknight WatchAnother spy thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Red Joan Weeknight WatchAnother spy thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Black Widow Weeknight WatchAnother thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Russell Rouse
- Ray MillandAllan Fields
- Martin GabelMr. Bleek
- Harry BronsonHarris
- Rita ValeMiss Philips
- Rex O'MalleyBeal
- Rita GamThe Girl
- John McKutcheonDr. Linstrum (uncredited)
- Joe ConlinWalters (uncredited)