In Search of the Villa Noel Fleuri

American thriller and travel-writer, David Dodge (1910-1974), is best known for his 1952 novel To Catch A Thief.

Alfred Hitchcock turned it into an iconic film three years later.

Unusually for Hitchcock, half was shot on location, and the Riviera is as much a star as Grace Kelly (in her final film for Hitchcock - she met Prince Rainier during a publicity shoot and became Princess of Monaco) and Cary Grant (whom Hitchcock tempted out of retirement with this script).

Dodge's book was inspired by a real incident when he briefly became the number 1 suspect for a daring cat-burglary at his rich neighbour's villa.

It's the story of John Robie, a reformed cat-burglar who must prove his innocence by catching the thief who is duplicating his methods. His pursuit leads him into the arms of beautiful American heiress Francie Stevens.

Jean Buchanan tells the story and attempts to locate the Villa Noel Fleuri, where these dramatic events ultimately resulted in one of Hollywood's best-loved films.

In the course of her quest Jean visits Golfe Juan, the fishing port between Cannes and Nice where the Dodges arrived in France.

Given a tour of the Carlton hotel in Cannes by the Chef-Concierge, Stephane Fanciulli, Jean is shown the very room where Grant and Kelly watched - and made - fireworks. She also makes a notable discovery in the Nice-Matin newspaper archives and attempts to consolidate her finds on maps held in Vallauris.

Jean is assisted by:

* Randal Brandt of the Bancroft Library at the University of California Berkeley
* Dirk Dominic, an expert in To Catch A Thief locations
* Paul Gambaccini lends his expertise in film

Producer: Marya Burgess

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2011.