Review of The 39 Steps (1935) by Joe B — 10 Apr 2008
As clear as a Hitchcock thriller comes, and as obvious a precursor to North by Northwest as you'll find. A man, wrongly accused of murder finds himself on the run... the only person able to protect state secrets, and doing so being the only way to clear his name. Robert Donat is charming, though seems to take things a little more seriously than Cary Grant would years later. The MacGuffin in this film is interesting in that during the final minutes of the movie, we do actually learn what it is. The tense, yet unfortunately short train journey north aboard the flying scotsman is fantastic, and the shots of the Forth bridge are extremely reminscent of the dreamlike Golden gate scenes in 'Vertigo'. And once again, Hitch makes it clear that the policeman is never to be trusted.
A few sexy leg shots... the worst wee house to spend the night at in Scotland, and likewise the friendliest inn keeper husband and wife in the history of cinema.
Unlike the hymn book in the jacket pocket, this movie is certainly not "hard to get through".
This review of The 39 Steps (1935) was written by Joe B on 10 Apr 2008.
The 39 Steps has generally received very positive reviews.
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