1968, Television: “It Takes a Thief”

On Tuesday January 9, 1968, the American action-adventure series “It Takes a Thief” premieres on ABC. It stars Robert Wagner in his television debut as the sophisticated thief Alexander Mundy. The series was inspired by, although not based upon, the Hitchcock film “To Catch a Thief” from 1955 with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

The series, created by Roland Kibbee, features the adventures of burglar, pickpocket, and thief Alexander Mundy. While in prison the U.S. government's SIA (secret intelligence agency) proposes him a deal: steal for the government in exchange for his freedom.

Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy in "A Very Warm Reception" (S01E04)

Bette Davis as Bessie Grindel and Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy in "Touch of Magic" (S03E17)

Carol Lynley as Michelle and Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy in "Boom at the Top" (S02E19)

Fred Astaire as Alistair Mundy and Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy (season three)

Fred Astaire as Alistair Mundy and Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy (season three)

Ida Lupino as Dr. Schneider and Malachi Throne as Noah Bain in "Turnabout" (S01E12)

Three seasons were broadcast from January 9, 1968 till March 24, 1970, totalling a list of 66 episodes.

Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy and Katherine Crawford as Nancy Ross-White

in "A Very Warm Reception" (S01E04)

Main Cast

• Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy
• Malachi Throne as Noah Bain (Mundy's SIA boss in season 1 and 2)
• Edward Binns as Wally Powers (Mundy's SIA boss in season 3)
• Joseph Cotten as Mr. Jack
• Susan Saint James as Charlene 'Charlie' Brown
• John Russell as William Dover
• George Murdock as Fred Devon
• Fred Astaire as Alistair Mundy

Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy and Marti Stevens as Commissar Malenska

in "Locked in the Cradle of the Keep" (S01E14)

Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy and Tina Louise as Anna Martine

in "Totally by Design" (S01E06)

Senta Berger as Claire Vickers and Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy

in "A Thief is a Thief is a Thief" (S01E01)

Susan Saint James as Charlene 'Charlie' Brown and Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy

in "It Takes One to Know One" (S01E02)

Awards

• Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Ralph Woolsey (1968, episode "A Thief is a Thief is a Thief")

(Robert Wagner was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy in 1970)

Opening Titles season 1

Opening Titles season 3