Arguably the Best Cast in a Thriller Ever

"North by Northwest" had three great stars: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason,but I think that "Charade" went Hitchcock several better.

First of all, "Charade" got Audrey Hepburn, an actress Hitchcock always wanted to work with, but couldn't (they were to make a movie called "No Bail for the Judge" in 1960, but Hepburn pulled out.)

Second, "Charade" paired Hepburn for the only time with Cary Grant, creating one of the great screen couples of all time. What was perfect was that Grant was finally looking a bit old, a bit puffy, but Hepburn -- always good with older male co-stars -- could keep the May-December romance sexy and witty without being too physical. Also, Grant and Hepburn had two of the great movie voices.

Walter Matthau was a top character actor when "Charade" was made, and within a few years, was a top star himself. Funny: Matthau looks a lot older in "Charade" than in his star movies later. You get better hairstyles, clothes and make-up when you're a star.

James Coburn, too, would soon become a star. His walk was almost as distinctive as Cary Grant's, and he is a scary scream as the drawling "Tex," here, berating Grant thusly: "Yew fell fer her like an egg off a tall CHEECKEN! You nincompoop!"

George Kennedy would win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1968 for "Cool Hand Luke" and is here a suitable threatening yet funny heavy. Great fight scene with the still-fit (and not entirely stunt-doubled) Grant.

Grant and Hepburn, plus Matthau, Coburn, and Kennedy. They don't cast them like that anymore.

P.S. For a short while, Grant backed out of Charade, so Hepburn did too. The movie was almost made with the very young Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood.