The Thief Who Came to Dinner (1973): Cast & Plot
The Thief Who Came to Dinner is a 1973 romantic comedy directed by Bud Yorkin, starring Ryan O'Neal as Webster McGee, Charles Cioffi and Jacqueline Bisset. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Bud Yorkin
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Bud Yorkin Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Thief Who Came to Dinner About?
The premise of The Thief Who Came to Dinner without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Webster and Laura steal everything they desire, including each other and a $6 million diamond. A bored computer programmer decides to turn to crime, quickly attracting the attention of a relentless insurance investigator. Along the way he partners with a cunning woman who becomes his accomplice.
The Thief Who Came to Dinner Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- emerald
- blue diamond
- champagne
- cigar smoking
- clue
- theft
- male male relationship
- bare chested male
- implied male nudity
- adulterous husband
- high society
- security system
+38 more Show fewer
- museum
- museum exhibit
- art exhibit
- masquerade party
- car chase
- surveillance
- seaplane
- stolen jewelry
- opening a safe
- stolen goods
- dividing the spoils
- workout
- competitive male male boxing relationship
- corrupt official
- blackmail
- quitting a job
- disguised as a priest
- horn rimmed glasses
- car repair
- chess expert
- chess game
- chess move
- newspaper office
- breaking and entering
- inheritance
- empty house
- bullet wound
- dog in heat
- frustration
- reprisal
- vindication
- divorced man single woman relationship
- implied sex
- irish setter
- chess piece
- safecracker
- chess match
- actress
The Thief Who Came to Dinner Cast & Characters
Ryan O'Neal leads the cast as Webster McGee, with Charles Cioffi as Gene Henderling and Jacqueline Bisset as Laura Keaton. Directed by Bud Yorkin; 18 actors are credited in all.
- Director Bud Yorkin
-
Ryan O'Neal as Webster McGee -
Charles Cioffi as Gene Henderling -
Jacqueline Bisset as Laura Keaton -
Warren Oates as Dave Reilly
Also Starring in The Thief Who Came to Dinner
· 14 more- Ned Beatty Deams
- Michael Murphy Ted
- Austin Pendleton Zukovsky
- Jill Clayburgh Jackie Johnson
- John Hillerman Edmund Lasker
- Alan Oppenheimer Insurance Man
- Richard O'Brien Sgt. Del Conte
- Gregory Sierra Dynamite Hector
- George Morfogen Rivera
- Army Archerd Newsman (uncredited)
- Jack Manning Tom Preston
- Kevin O'Neal Copy Boy (uncredited)
- Margaret Fairchild Mrs. Donner
- Ollie Ree Alridge Maid (uncredited)
More from Bud Yorkin
More films directed by Bud Yorkin, best-rated first: Twice in a Lifetime, Inspector Clouseau, Love Hurts and Arthur 2: On the Rocks.
The Thief Who Came to Dinner Plot Summary
What happens in The Thief Who Came to Dinner from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Webster McGee Ryan O’Neal is a divorced computer programmer who abruptly quits his job and slips into a life of crime as a burglar and jewel thief in Houston, Texas. Leaving behind chess pieces and notes containing chess moves as his calling card, he earns the media’s nickname, The Chess Burglar.
For his first job, he targets the wealthy Gene Henderling Charles Cioffi, stealing not only cash but also files that could ruin his career. Webster uses these files to blackmail Gene Henderling, but instead of money he seeks an introduction into Houston’s high society — a gateway he believes will help him stage further heists on other privileged homes.
Full summary
The whole story of The Thief Who Came to Dinner, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Thief Who Came to Dinner?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What was Webster McGee's profession before he turned to a life of crime?
Cars in The Thief Who Came to Dinner
70 cars on screen, including the 1966 Ford Mustang and the 1971 Ford Custom 500.
-
1966 Ford Mustang Main role -
1971 Ford Custom 500 Important role -
1968 Ford Galaxie 500 Important role -
1971 Mercury Cougar Important role
The Thief Who Came to Dinner Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “A sakkozó tolvaj” and “Il ladro che venne a pranzo”.
- Also known as
-
- A sakkozó tolvaj
- Il ladro che venne a pranzo
- Le voleur qui vient dîner
- El ladrón que vino a cenar
- دزدی که برای شام آمد
- Webster ist nicht zu fassen
- O Ladrão Que Veio Jantar
- Tjuven som kom på middag
- 贼来晚餐
Seen The Thief Who Came to Dinner?
Movies Like The Thief Who Came to Dinner
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Thieves, Jewel Robbery and Thieves and Robbers.
The Thief Who Came to Dinner FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Thief Who Came to Dinner, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Thief Who Came to Dinner?
The Thief Who Came to Dinner runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was The Thief Who Came to Dinner released?
The Thief Who Came to Dinner was released on March 1, 1973.
Who directed The Thief Who Came to Dinner?
The Thief Who Came to Dinner was directed by Bud Yorkin.
More films by Bud Yorkin Who is in the cast of The Thief Who Came to Dinner?
The Thief Who Came to Dinner stars Ryan O'Neal as Webster McGee, Charles Cioffi as Gene Henderling and Jacqueline Bisset as Laura Keaton, among 18 credited actors.
Does The Thief Who Came to Dinner have a post-credit scene?
No. The Thief Who Came to Dinner has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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