The Cozy Chicks | Cozy Up To Some Killer Books

Chick Flick Classics - How to Steal a Million

Like Maggie, I’m a film buff. I love, love, love old movies (although my definition of “old” changes with each passing year). I’m especially fond of those vintage mystery chick flicks of yesteryear, and I thought it might be fun to recommend one each month – and if, by chance, any of you are familiar with these movies, we can chat about them. Or we could debate whether popcorn has enough fiber to offset the carbs. Or whether we’re doing ourselves any kind of a favor eating that butter-flavored oil instead of real butter.

Anyway, seeing that I just received the DVD for Christmas, I thought a good one to kick off with would be one of my favorite chick caper flicks. It’s HOW TO STEAL A MILLION with Audrey Hepburn. The most important thing about this film is the Audrey Factor. Those clothes! They’re worth the admission price alone—speaking of which, did you know Audrey Hepburn had size 10 feet? I find that very reassuring.If you haven’t seen HOW TO STEAL A MILLION it’s about the daughter of a Parisian art collector and forger who has to steal back one of his statues from a Paris museum before the fake is discovered. She enlists an amateur thief who, unbeknownst to her, is actually a cop. The thief/cop is played by Peter O’Toole who I find sort of annoying. In fact, I find him a lot annoying, but the movie is still fun—though yes, occasionally verging on adorable. (Some people like adorable, though.)

Hard-hitting crime drama this is not, but it’s very cute and rather romantic, and most definitely madcap. The dialog is snappy and fun. Did I mention the Audrey Factor?

The scenery, both of 1960s Paris and Audrey (okay and cartoon-cute O’Toole), is splendid.

Anyone familiar with this one or have I introduced you to a new Chick Flick Classic?

20 Responses to “Chick Flick Classics - How to Steal a Million”

If I’ve seen it, it’s been a while. I do like Audrey. Very classy and put together. You gotta love how they are putting a lot of the older films out on DVD now. I think I missed Cinderella when Disney had it out but I’m getting 101 Dalmations. (No, we don’t have kids. It’s for me.)

I like cute and romantic so I’ll have to go get it. I think I did mention a week or so back that I loved Goldie Hawn in her heyday. Now it’s her daughter.

by Lynn on February 20th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I’m with Lynn. I’m a Goldie Hawn fan. Just watched Housesitter for the umpteenth time over the weekend. She makes me happy. Love Overboard too.

I thought Devil Wears Prada was great fun. Laughed out loud (and I mean, out loud) at so many lines in that that seemed to go right over people’s heads.

Action/adventure movies are good. But give me a good chick flick any day, and I’m a happy camper.

by laura on February 20th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I’m a big fan of Working Girl. Does that count?

by Sheila Connolly on February 20th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I love this movie! I caught it a few months ago on cable and immediately sat down to watch it. Audrey has long been a favorite of mine - in fact, I watched Funny Face twice last week. I’m an old movie buff - I’d rather watch an old one than a new one. Today’s movies can’t compare to the glamour of old movies - the stars, the clothes (OH! the clothes!), the dialog.

It doesn’t matter how many times I watch How to Steal a Million, I’m captivated by the plot. I know what’s going to happen but still search for things I may have missed before.

Have you seen “Love in the Afternoon” with Audrey Hepburn, Gary Cooper and Maurice Chevalier? While not a mystery, per se, Gary Cooper tries to figure out who Audrey’s character really is. Another charmer.

I look forward to seeing what other movies you recommend.

by Allison - Garland, TX on February 20th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I love old Chick Flick movies. I loved the plot of “How to Steal a Million”. And I, too, love the Audrey Factor. One of my favorite Chick movies is “Laura” with Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews and Vincent Price. My dear hubby got it for me on DVD for Valentine’s Day. I do love this movie so much that I actually named my son Dane Andrew after Dana Andrews.

Can’t wait to see your next recommendation.

by Cathy on February 20th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Hey, Shelia, I’m trying to remember WORKING GIRL. Is that the one with Sigourney Weaver?

by Diana on February 20th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Lynn, have you seen the new one with Hudson and Mathew MacCon…uh…how do you spell that? It looks fun…although that means nothing. Trailers make everything look good.

I was just watching Le Divorce the other day with Hudson and Naomi Watts. A flawed movie, and yet it has some great things in it.

by Diana on February 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Hey Laura, I thought the Devil Wears Prada was one of the best adaptations I’ve seen in a long while. Not an easy book to turn into a film — I really disliked the main character in the book.

by Diana on February 20th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Allison, I love LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON, but WHAT is the deal with Audrey’s hair? And here I thought Princess Leia created those fashionable cinannamon buns. It’s a sweet movie, though, and Cooper and Chevalier are so clever.

by Diana on February 20th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Cathy, LAURA is one of my all time top recommendations. What a great film. Everything about it is so good — and so much better than the book!

by Diana on February 20th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Oh, I’ve never seen this one! But I love to watch Audrey and her Clothes. There’s a reason some of my characters shop/collect vintage clothing.

by Tori Lennox on February 20th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Fools Gold is the new one. And since we’ve only gone to one movie in the theaters in 8 years, I haven’t seen it yet. But I want to. I like that Matthew Mmmmmm.

And I’ll watch the Devil Wore Prada over and over if I can’t find anything else on the 100’s of channels we have (plus on demand).

I also want to see the Catherine Zeta Jones movie about being a chef.

I liked Little Black Book too.

Chick lit apparently is my theme….

by Lynn on February 20th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Working Girl has Melanie Griffiths and Harrison Ford (pre Indiana Jones?) and a great theme song by Carly Simon. And, yes, Sigourney Weaver as the bitchy boss. And Joan Cusack with big hair.

by Sheila Connolly on February 21st, 2008 at 10:10 am
Shelia, every so often when I had the day job I would have an uncomfortable flash of myself as Sigourney Weaver. Not that I was ever such a B—-! but I think I channeled her frustration sometimes. Only problem was she was supposed to be the villainness.

by Diana on February 21st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Oh, Tori, you will definitely like this. It’s very tongue in cheek. I watched it with Charade one afternoon. Very similar Audrey Factor in both films. Lots and lots of fun.

by Diana on February 21st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Hey, Lynn, there’s a lot to be said for chicklit themes and motifs! Lord knows some of my favorite people are chicks!

by Diana on February 21st, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Oh, I remember all those great Audrey Hepburn movies years ago. My girlfriends and I never missed one. Great fun. And always such a fashionplate. I also loved DEVIL, hilarious. WORKING GIRL was also fun bec of the supporting cast esp. We’ve actually lots of cute girl flics. I still love, love BRIDGET JONES.

And I’m still a sucker for the “other” Hepburn, Lady Kate, when she and Spencer Tracy teamed up. Great dialogure and lots of sparks.

by Maggie on February 21st, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Oh my gosh, I don’t know this movie, but I am adding it to Net Flix list this second!

by JB on February 21st, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Hey, JB, I’m so happy I could introduce you to a new chick flick! I think you’ll find this one a lot of fun.

by Diana Killian on February 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hey, Maggie, I agree. I wish Kate Hepburn had done more mystery flicks — oooh! I think I just thought of a post. There are two goofy ones she did that I can think of right off the top of my head.

by Diana Killian on February 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pm

Chick Flick Classics - How to Steal a Million

20 Responses to “Chick Flick Classics - How to Steal a Million”

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