Post by Mrs Vindecco on Sept 27, 2012 11:14:08 GMT
This is probably my favourite of Hitchcock's British films, yes The Man Who Knew Too Much may have had Peter Lorre and The Lady Vanishes maybe more polished, but I have a special place in my heart for The 39 Steps. It's fast paced and like North by North West it's one big chase movie. Ther are many standard Hitchcock suspense moments, for example when Hannay first meets Smith, when he latterly escapes the police on The Forth Rail Bridge and the final scene at the London Paladium. I also like the performances of Robert Donat and Madeline Carroll. Like a lot of British films from the first half of the century, their diction is perfect (which bothers some people but not me) however they don't have that stiffness some British performances are guilty of containing at that time. The scene at the Scottish Inn, is a subtle combination of suspence, wit and is surprisingly risky as Carroll and Donat unvoluntarily share a bed. Having said that there is a lot of British quirkiness in there particularly in the exchange between Donat and the Milkman, in the Flying Scotsman carriage with the two underwear salesmen and when the character of Hannay is mistaken for a politician and forced to make a speach.
Interesting Guardian Article:
www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2012/jul/26/my-favourite-hitchcock-39-steps
Interesting Guardian Article:
www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2012/jul/26/my-favourite-hitchcock-39-steps
