Movie #196 The 39 Steps *1935*

Alfred Hitchcock (Director)

My last blog about Hitchcock was over The Lady Vanishes.  The 39 Steps continues in his tradition of suspenseful thrillers.  This film is about a man who meets a woman that is carrying a secret of the state that will eventually be the death of her.  This is not a spoiler.  This happens with in the first 15 minutes and it actually launches the entire plot forward. 

Both Hitchcock's movie that I have reviewed have absolutely amazing action set pieces in them.  In The Lady Vanishes it was the train shoot out near the end.  Here is takes place during a chase sequence that takes up the better part of the second act.  Both film have brilliant camera and lighting work.  I noticed a lot more of the camera moving in this movie.  At one point out protagonist, now burdened with the information the female was carrying, gets off of a train when he learns that he is being sought after for the murder of the woman.  As he walks forward at the train station the camera dollys in front of him while zooming in on him.  It creates the effect as if his entire world is collapsing in on him.  I have never noticed that type of camera work in a film from this era. 

This was an interesting film from the love interest angle too.  Of course in Hitchcock fashion there is the blonde bombshell with something on her mind.   Much like my last review, The Lady Eve, the implication of sex is sexier than sex its self.  I hope that this is the case and that I haven't been locked up in house house alone watching movies alone for too long.  There is a scene where the protagonist and the antagonist are hand cuffed together, much to her disapproval.  She has gotten soaked from the rain and he must help her take her stockings off.  I have seen more subtly in porno's. 

I found this to be a very progressive film for it's time.  It is broad in it's settings.  We travel from the UK to Scotland all the while discussions of Canada and the USA.  As I mentioned before the camera work can be seen in many of the films (good films) of today.  The lighting palys a major role in this film also.  I detected a hint of noir or at least some German influence. 

While I liked The Lady Vanishes a little better, this would go on to become the final film Hitch did in Europe before coming to America and making films for Selznick.  It was also his biggest success in the UK.  Or at least in it's time and theatrical run.  I give The 39 Steps ★★★1/2.