It Takes a Thief

Alexander Mundy is a top tier cat burglar who lands a deal that changes his fate. The government offers to shorten his sentence in exchange for using his skills on a string of high profile jobs that are framed as national service. He agrees, relying on his stealth, quick hands, and sharp wits to pull off daring schemes while avoiding capture. Mundy plays a careful game, never tipping his hand to the wrong people and staying one step ahead of both criminals and investigators. The tension comes from clever disguises, clever plotting, and the way the capers unfold with elegance. Interwoven is Mundy’s relationship with his father Alister, a retired thief who helps on special jobs.

Created by Roland Kibbee, It Takes a Thief stars Robert Wagner as Mundy with Malachi Throne, Edward Binns and Fred Astaire as Alister Mundy. The show aired in 1968 and used rotating directors to keep the capers brisk, while its stylish production design framed the era's espionage mood.

It Takes a Thief helped define the stylish late 60s spy caper look, pairing wit and charm with clever heists. Wagner's suave lead and the father son angle gave the show a distinctive vibe that influenced later light hearted thrillers and pop culture depictions of gentleman thieves.

Audiences treated it as stylish entertainment rather than heavy drama and the 7.24 out of 10 rating reflects that. The show wrestles with duty versus personal freedom and tests trust when a criminal is pressed into civic service and family loyalties pull tight.

Awards: The series did not earn major nominations, but its stylish premise and charming cast earned it a loyal following. It remains notable primarily for Wagner and Astaire and for delivering clever, self contained capers that captured a particular late 1960s TV mood rather than award recognition.