The 39 Steps (DVD, 1998)

The 39 Steps is based on a spy novel of the same title by John Buchan. While I only read part of it, now I would like to read the rest…regardless, the book, written in 1915, practically established the whole genre of the espionage story. I would argue that the movie does the same for the movie arena.

The story is about a man named Hannay who takes home a perfect stranger of a woman after a show at a music hall only to have her explain that she’s a spy and the Professor—with a half a pinky—is after her.

The next morning, she is found murdered.

Thus begins a well-written and well-filmed set of adventures that culminates back at the very same music hall at the end of the movie.

There are several major themes of the movie—the stage, obviously, music (in the tune Hannay keeps whistling), and I’m sure there are more I’ve yet to unearth. An interesting irony is that while Hannay and the woman he met on the train are handcuffed together, they both want to get away from each other; but when she slips out of the handcuffs, they both want to stay together.

Finally, this movie was much more than I expected for a 1935 movie. Granted, it’s early Hitchcock, but it’s probably one of the best of his early films (if not THE best prior to 1947 and Notorious). A well-done romantic thriller that’s still worth watching.

Great movie. I will enjoy this over and over. It has been very hard to find. The price was definately right.