The 39 Steps

While I personally prefer Hitchcock's darker, more troubling movies, especially 'Vertigo' and 'Psycho', as far as his straightforward thrillers go 'The 39 Steps' is still one of his most entertaining. The man on the run because of false accusations or "knowing too much" motif may or may not have been invented here, but it certainly influenced dozens of subsequent thrillers, all the way up until contemporary movies like 'Enemy Of The State' and 'Minority Report'. Robert Donat makes a great hero, and Madeleine Carroll is charming and funny as his reluctant partner. The chemistry and repartee between the two is something that has been copied countless times since. Some people seem to regard 'The 39 Steps' as a practice run for Hitch's later 'North By Northwest', but I prefer the earlier movie. It may not be complex and deep, but it's great fun, and full of old fashioned movie magic. A classic thriller that is still wonderfully entertaining, and should prove to be enjoyable to almost everyone who watches it. Recommended.

Richard Hannay is enjoying `crazy month' at his local music hall when shots ring out. He is approached by a young woman who asks can she shelter at his house. He takes her in and she tells him she must get to Scotland to try and contact a man about the 39 Steps in order to prevent vital information being smuggled out of the country. When she is murdered in his flat, he finds himself framed and goes on the run – his only chance to clear his name being to continue her trail and expose the real killers and the spy ring itself.

Having recently seen both the 1950's (poor) and 1970's (enjoyable) remakes, I decided to revisit the original film version of The 39 Steps. The Hitchcock film steps away from the book somewhat and is more a fast moving story of one little jape after another. It has quite a short running time and is surprisingly light on it's feet as it quickly moves from one scene to another. It is hard for me to judge how tense or exciting it is, having seen it so many times, but it always keeps me engaged, whether it be the witty political speech or the climax in the music hall.

The direction feels old and worn now but is actually very sharp and well paced. The film stock is worn and patchy and one shot in particular appears to be running at the wrong speed but it does have a very good sense of place. The highlands (and internals) feel like the highlands and the music hall atmosphere is well captured and treated with affection. The mix of humour and drama is well done, with alternate scenes using one or the other while some scenes mix the two very well.

Donat is partly to thank for this as his performance keeps things light without ever going so far as to wink at the audience or make us think that he is playing it for laughs. His is a charming lead and he plays it well. Carroll is well used as the traditional blonde cast by Hitchcock, she is a little dappy but she is a match for Donat in early scenes. The chief villain is a dry sort and would have made a good Bond villain with his mix of menace and manners.

Overall this is a classic film and for good reason. It is dramatic, funny and enjoyably light footed and fun to watch. It has stood the test of time and can be enjoyed by a mix of tastes due to these qualities. A good old fashioned mystery adventure story with plenty of witty touches from Hitchcock.

Alfred Hitchcock directed this film in 1935. It's one of his greatest successes. The film is based on a novel by John Buchan, also known as Lord Tweedsmuir. The story has a Canadian mining engineer, Richard Hannay, unwillingly drawn into a spy chase when a woman unknown to him latches onto him as he's leaving a London theatre. She tells him she's a spy and that she needs his help. He's skeptical of her story, but he goes back to his London flat with her. Hannay is brilliantly played by actor Robert Donat. He turns out to be quite an interesting character, and a resourceful one at that. When the woman he returned home with turns up dead in his flat, Hannay flees London for Scotland, hoping to find a man he believes can clear him. The newspapers accuse Hannay of murder, so he knows he's a wanted man. During a chase through Scotland, Hannay finds he's not only pursued by the police for the murder he didn't commit, but by members of the spy ring the woman warned him about. Watch how he manages to deal with police, spies and a beautiful young woman played by Madeleine Carroll.

If what you want from a thriller is in-yer-face mugging, special effects, noise, a booming soundtrack, gore, nudity and flashy editing, this one is not for you.

However if you are a more discerning moviegoer who values a great script, exquisite understated acting, wit, humour and intelligence, and you are willing to overlook the technically rough bits (come on, this was 1935, you cannot measure it by 2005 standards !!) - then enjoy, because you are in for a treat.

Robert Donat is one of the most charming heroes that ever graced the screen, and but for his frail health and loathing of the Hollywood pzazz (he later refused some great movie parts offered to him, which eventually went to the likes of Erroll Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks Jr) he might have become one of the greatest. Watch the dinner scene with the crofters, in which he manages to convey his plight to the wife entirely without words. Great acting. Also the wickedly funny bravura piece at the political rally.

Madeleine Carroll must be among the coolest and feistiest of Hitchcock's favoured blondes, not as insipid or irrelevant as many of the others were. She is a veritable icicle and it takes a long time for her to thaw, but then watch the sparks fly.

I feel a little sad for the people who cannot be bothered to check out this movie because of the tinny sound or the b&w photography. Forget about those superficialities and concentrate on the real values - the script, the acting, the lighting, photography and camera work -, just allow yourself to get carried away with the fast paced action, and you'll love it.

Nearly every era in Hitchcock's directing career has incredible strengths. When we view a later film like "North by Northwest" we are tempted to say that "The 39 Steps" is simply a training film for the bigger budget, star studded film that came later. This is not true. This movie stands on its own. With wonderful actors like Robert Donat and Madeline Carrol, we are led on an intense ride, culminating in a crowded theater. There are amazing shots of the characters weaving their way through crowds, close ups used strictly for the purpose of moving the plot. With Hitchcock there is no excess. He is a poet with a camera. As the tension mounts and Donat's character becomes swept away in its arms, we are taken with it. His wisecracking character is out of words and must act, just as Cary Grant did in the aforementioned film. There is something lurking and we have to find out who it is and why does he need to know what he knows? I've seen this many times and will see it again.