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.

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Plot Keywords:

pram | secret agent | murder | police | scotland | 

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Taglines:

The Most Suspenseful Manhunt in History!

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Genres:

Thriller | Drama

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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.

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Goofs

When Hannay escapes from a window, he jumps into a lorry full of straw bales. Later there is a shot in the lorry and there is no bales, only sheep.

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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.

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Connections

Version of The 39 Steps (2008)

User Reviews

Does it matter if the film is not true to the book.

An enjoyable adventure, notable for good location shots of London, not the obvious tourist's traps, and the highlands of Scotland. Having identifiable locations increases the local tourist trade, many people want to visit the"scene of the crime".

Does it matter that the film didn't follow the book too carefully. Was it entertainment in its own right, or do we want to follow the scenes and dialogue, like some old theatre and concert goers with their carefully annotated "libretti". No,the movie industry stands on its own feet, and of course it uses literature. Didn't the original author not take classical themes, innocent man accused of criminal activity, trustworthy persons in power turn out to be the baddies, boy meets girl, loses girl, refinds girl. There really cannot be total originallity in any modern work of creativity, all is based on what has gone before.

Thirty nine steps, a ripping good yarn, to be enjoyed in the spirit in which it was offered.