The Thief Who Came to Dinner
| The Thief Who Came to Dinner | |
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| Directed by | Bud Yorkin |
| Produced by |
Norman Lear Bud Yorkin |
| Written by |
Terrence Lore Smith (novel) Walter Hill |
| Starring |
Ryan O'Neal Jacqueline Bisset Warren Oates Jill Clayburgh Ned Beatty Charles Cioffi Austin Pendleton Michael Murphy Gregory Sierra |
| Music by | Henry Mancini |
| Cinematography | Philip H. Lathrop |
| Edited by | John Horger |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
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Release date
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Running time
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104 minutes |
| Box office | $1,750,000 (US/ Canada rentals) |
The Thief Who Came to Dinner is a 1973 comedy film directed by Bud Yorkin and based on the novel by Terrence Lore Smith. The film stars Ryan O'Neal and Jacqueline Bisset, with Charles Cioffi, Warren Oates, and in an early appearance, Jill Clayburgh.
Webster McGee (Ryan O'Neal) is a computer programmer who abruptly quits his job and adopts a life of crime as a jewel thief in Houston, Texas.
For his first job he robs rich businessman Henderling (Charles Cioffi), stealing from him not only money, but also files with information that could destroy Henderling's career. McGee uses them to blackmail him but instead of money he asks for introduction into high society—aiming to find a way to rob other rich houses.
He soon meets Laura (Jacqueline Bisset) at a society function hosted by Henderling. She falls in love with McGee and then helps him to burglarize several friends of Henderling.
Texas Mutual Insurance investigator Dave Reilly (Warren Oates) is intent on identifying Webster as the jewel thief, but in the course of investigation Reilly and McGee develop a sort of friendship. Reilly must decide whether to be loyal to his job or his new friend.
Oliver Hailey wrote the first draft of the script from the novel. Walter Hill was hired to write a number of subsequent drafts, and received sole credit.
Filming took place on location in Houston. Director Bud Yorkin is known for his association with Norman Lear; they collaborated on All in the Family and Maude for broadcast television. Following this film, Yorkin turned mainly to TV, along with Lear and writer Aaron Ruben. Yorkin did, however, direct three more feature films, including the sequel to Arthur starring Dudley Moore.
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