Once upon a time in the realm of cinema, a masterful architect of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, found critics quick to dismiss his brilliance, particularly during the ebbs of his illustrious career’s twilight — especially when confronted with his dazzling, often whimsical thrillers. They tended to cling to the memories of “The 39 Steps,” a title that echoes through the annals of film history like a haunting refrain.
This cinematic gem, birthed in 1935, emerged just a year after Hitchcock’s earlier concoction, “The Man Who Knew Too Much.” Indeed, this espionage marvel would earn a nostalgic remix during his peak years in the 1950s, yet the many iterations of “The 39 Steps” attest to its timeless allure, with its “public spectacle” charm replicated in various forms — a playful motif, more famously reincarnated later in “North by Northwest.”
Dive into “The 39 Steps,” where the adventure ricochets through vibrant English music halls before spiriting audiences off to the windswept Scottish moors. Picture this: an innocent man, wrongfully accused of murder, catapults into a maelstrom of danger, racing against time to illuminate his name and foil a cabal entwined in espionage, tangled with state secrets that could alter the very fabric of society.
Sensual, absurd, and laced with suspense, the film unfurls like a vividly painted tapestry, seizing the viewer’s attention in bold black and white.
Enter Robert Donat, embodying the archetypal Hitchcockian hero, a prototype for a lineage of charismatic leads that includes the inimitable Cary Grant. Whimsical yet beleaguered, flirtatious yet hard-edged, Donat’s portrayal of Richard Hannay sneaks into the viewer’s heart. Astonishingly, this future Oscar winner (“Goodbye, Mr. Chips”) traversed a career marred by illness, yet his stage presence was spectacular, particularly as he navigated the murky waters of pre-war British subterfuge.
Hitchcock’s lens affectionately preserves the reckless reverie of “English Music Hall,” as the uproarious antics of performers erupt before an engaged audience, some tipsy, others contemplative in “the stalls.” Among this chaos, the hapless Hannay finds himself entangled with a frightened foreign femme fatale (played by Lucie Mannheim), who whispers forbidden secrets and scrambles his fate: “May I come home with you?” The subtext brims with innuendo, laughter trailing close behind.
Soon enough, Hannay’s domestic soiree turns grim. Upon her unveiling as the pursued, the woman’s final breaths pierce the air, a knife embedded deep within her back. He’s left with a chilling realization: he must escape, now painted as a fugitive, riding milk wagons and trains, newspapers spinning tales that enthrall the nation. To unmask the true villains, he must weave charm and cunning alike.
Alongside him is the alluring, yet skeptical, Madeleine Carroll, embodying the quintessential Hitchcock blonde — reluctantly enlisted amidst the chaos yet skeptical of the over-the-top narrative that Hannay presents. “Right to the funny bone,” she deadpans, her wit as sharp as the stakes at hand.
As the duo races through rugged landscapes—from scotch-soaked inns to clattering trains—the clockwork precision of their predicament only heightens the tension. Hitchcock’s deft hand at creating suspense through montage flourished here, a skill honed in the silent film era, and expertly crafted by editor Derek N. Twist, intertwining frantic chases and electric narrow escapes.
Glimpses of future villains dwell in the film’s enigmatic professor, played by Godfrey Tearle, who, though an earlier iteration, can be seen as the distant progenitor to the likes of James Mason or Leo G. Carroll’s nefarious characters that would follow in Hitchcock’s later masterpieces.
With cleverness soaked into its fabric, “The 39 Steps” triumphs in its delightful juxtaposition of adventure and wit, spinning a tale that ensnares even the most skeptical of viewers. “There are 20 million women on this island and I’ve got to be chained to you!” is but one of many lines that captures the peculiar charm.
While generations of critics suggested one should never fret for the fate of such charming heroes until the shocking twist of “Psycho,” the essence of Hitchcock’s storytelling lives on. “The 39 Steps” stands not just as a film but as a fundamental anchor to understand the motifs of suspense, adventure, and humor that Hitchcock tailored for us.
So if you’ve wandered astray and missed the spark of “The Man Who Knew Too Much” or “The 39 Steps,” perhaps it’s time to dive back in. Rediscover the hidden treasures that await within the frames of these classic thrillers; they promise a captivating journey you won’t soon forget.
Rating: Approved, violence
Cast: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim, Peggy Ashcroft, Godfrey Tearle
Credits: Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, from a script by Charles Bennett and Ian Hay, based on the novel by John Buchan. Released by British Gaumont, available on Tubi.
Running Time: 1:26
