The 39 Steps (1959)

Richard Hannay witnesses a hit-and-run involving a woman pushing a pram. Looking in the pram he sees a gun instead of a baby. He tracks the woman down and she reveals that she is a secret ... See full summary »

Director:

Ralph Thomas

Writers:

Frank Harvey (screenplay), John Buchan (based upon the novel by)

Stars:

Kenneth More, Taina Elg, Brenda de Banzie

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenneth More	...	Richard Hannay
Taina Elg	...	Fisher
Brenda de Banzie	...	Nellie Lumsden (as Brenda De Banzie)
Barry Jones	...	Professor Logan
Reginald Beckwith	...	Lumsden
Faith Brook	...	Nannie
Michael Goodliffe	...	Brown
James Hayter	...	Mr. Memory
Duncan Lamont	...	Kennedy
Jameson Clark	...	McDougal
Andrew Cruickshank	...	Sheriff (as Andrew Cruikshank)
Leslie Dwyer	...	Milkman
Betty Henderson	...	Mrs. McDougal
Joan Hickson	...	Miss Dobson
Sid James	...	Perce (as Sidney James)

Storyline

Richard Hannay witnesses a hit-and-run involving a woman pushing a pram. Looking in the pram he sees a gun instead of a baby. He tracks the woman down and she reveals that she is a secret agent trying to stop foreign spies leaving the country with important military secrets. Later that night she is murdered in Hannay's flat. Hannay takes it on himself to thwart the enemy agents. This involves travelling to Scotland and keeping one step ahead of the police who are looking for him in connection with the murder of the woman.

---

Plot Keywords:

pram | secret agent | murder | police | scotland | 

---

Taglines:

The Most Suspenseful Manhunt in History!

---

Genres:

Thriller | Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French

Release Date:

13 March 1959 (UK)

Also Known As:

Les 39 marches

Filming Locations:

Balquhidder, Stirling, Scotland, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rank Organisation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film of Peter Vaughan.

---

Goofs

At the Palace Theatre a man with glasses is sitting directly behind Hannay as he waits for "Nanny" Robinson to arrive. When Mr Memory comes on stage a lady in blue who asks what the name of Napoleon's horse is has suddenly appeared in his place and the man is sitting further along the row.

---

Quotes

Kennedy: [Staking out Hannay's flat] Have you ever tried suckling pig?
Brown: No.
Kennedy: Tender as a baby.
Brown: Haven't tried that either.

---

Connections

Version of The Thirty Nine Steps (1978)

User Reviews

Better than it's often given credit for

Often criticised for being a shot-for-shot remake of the Hitchcock original, this film is in fact a perky little thriller which benefits from Kenneth More being a more sympathetic leading man than Robert Donat (he was somewhat aloof) in the '39 version. True, the film trades heavily off the script for the Hitchcock version, and true it does not go back to the original novel for context, spirit or historical setting in the way the '78 version does; but for me, the film is the jewel among the three. As well as a pacy and fun thriller, it catches the spirit of the England and Scotland of the time. It is also interesting to note the role of the two hit-men characters; they are shadowy background figures in the '39 version, but here they are more fully flushed out (and well played by Duncan Lamont and Michael Goodlife). In the '78 version (and the unofficial remake called North By Northwest) the role of the hit-men is further developed and the suspense increased as a result.

Other things to watch out for in the '59 version are Sidney James, Brian Oulton and a host of supporting players (not to mention Tania Elg's legs in the remake of the stocking-removing scene, all the more intriguing for being in colour). Long available on VHS in the UK, this film now sadly seems to be deleted and is much missed.