The 39 Steps (1935)

A man in London tries to help a counter-espionage Agent. But when the Agent is killed, and the man stands accused, he must go on the run to save himself and stop a spy ring which is trying to steal top secret information.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

John Buchan (adapted from the novel by), Charles Bennett (adaptation)

Stars:

Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Donat	...	Richard Hannay
Madeleine Carroll	...	Pamela
Lucie Mannheim	...	Annabella Smith
Godfrey Tearle	...	Professor Jordan
Peggy Ashcroft	...	Crofter's Wife
John Laurie	...	Crofter
Helen Haye	...	Mrs. Jordan
Frank Cellier	...	The Sheriff
Wylie Watson	...	Memory
Gus McNaughton	...	Commercial Traveller (as Gus Mac Naughton)
Jerry Verno	...	Commercial Traveller
Peggy Simpson	...	Maid

Storyline

Richard Hannay is a Canadian visitor to London. At the end of "Mr Memory"'s show in a music hall, he meets Annabella Smith, who is running away from secret agents. He agrees to hide her in his flat, but she is murdered during the night. Fearing that he could be accused of the murder, Hannay goes on the run to break the spy ring.

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Plot Keywords:

on the run | macguffin | false accusation | female spy | hotel | 

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Taglines:

It's Great...It's Grand...It's Glorious!

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Visa de censure en France (1951): #11533/D.

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Goofs

When Hannay and Pamela are in the hotel room, he dries her stockings by placing them under two china ornaments on a shelf over the fireplace. Later, when she removes her stockings from the shelf, the two china ornaments are now spaced much further apart, with another ornament in between them.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Richard Hannay: Stall, please.
Music hall announcer: Ladies and Gentleman, with your kind attention, and permission, I have the honor of presenting to you one of the most remarkable men in the world.
Heckler in Audience: How remarkable? He's sweating!

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Connections

References Spies (1928)

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Soundtracks

Tinkle, Tinkle, Tinkle
(uncredited)
Written by Harry M. Woods
Played by Music Hall pit orchestra and
Danced by the chorus girls

User Reviews

Sowing the Seeds of Suspense

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.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

The 39 Steps

Filming Locations:

London Palladium, Argyll Street, Soho, Westminster, Greater London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP50,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$51,711

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont British Picture Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (recorded on) (British Acoustic Film Full Range Recording System: at Shepherd's Bush London)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1