The 39 Steps

For sheer entertainment, it would be hard to top "The 39 Steps". While Hitchcock made other movies with more psychological depth and more fascinating characters, there is as much fast-paced suspense here as you will find in any of his later films, along with a good dose of humor and a wide variety of creative settings.

This is one of several movies on Hitchcock's theme of the unjustly accused man. In a nicely-crafted sequence at the beginning, Richard Hannay (Robert Donat), a Canadian visiting London, is caught up in a spy plot and suspected in a murder, and he spends the rest of the film trying to evade both the police and the actual killers. The settings include a London music hall, a train, the Scottish moors, a political meeting, and several others that add to the exciting story. For much of the action, Hannay is entangled with a skeptical blonde played by Madeleine Carroll, and the two have good chemistry in a running verbal battle. There are also several entertaining minor characters that add wit and interest, especially the music hall performer "Mr. Memory".

It all moves quickly and holds together well, resulting in great entertainment that will be enjoyed by anyone who likes classic thrillers.

...with Robert Donat as a Canadian ex-pat living in London who gets accused of murder. He goes on the run, avoiding the authorities in hopes of clearing his name, with the trail leading to the Scottish countryside. He eventually ends up involving a reluctant Madeleine Carroll. With Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle, Helen Haye, Wylie Watson, John Laurie, and Peggy Ashcroft.

Highlights for me: the Scottish Highlands, Madeleine Carroll removing her stockings while handcuffed to Donat, and Peggy Ashcroft's brief turn as the unhappy wife of a country farmer. Donat's easy charm and affable demeanor foretell the similar performances by Stewart and Grant in Hitchcock's later thrillers. There are some glaring plot-holes (why don't the villains deal with Donat when they off the woman in his apartment at the film's start?), but they can be ignored thanks to the pace of the proceedings.

The Criterion DVD bonus features include commentary by Hitchcock expert Marian Keane; a "visual essay" by Hitchcock expert (how many are there?) Leonard Leff; Hitchcock: The Early Years (2000), a short British documentary; excerpts from a 1966 British TV interview; more audio-only excerpts of Truffaut's Hitchcock interviews; a booklet/essay from critic David Cairns; and the complete Lux Radio Theatre adaptation, with Ida Lupino and Robert Montgomery. Truly the best way to see it, and thus why I bring it up.

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.

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.

Tight and delicious. Everything matters and nothing matters. An amazing commercial eye without detracting from the poetry. Poetry? Yes poetry. Robert Donat was one of the best actors of his generation - I wonder why he's not better known. Maybe he will be rediscovered. The 39 Steps, The Winslow Boy, Goodbye Mr Chips just to name 3 of his spectacular performances. Madeleine Carroll is perfect as an early, classy and icy Hitchcock blonde. The coupling of Donat and Carroll has all the signature traits of the Master and it's downright irresistible. Not to be missed.