Film Snail

7.3

The 39 Steps

NR·1935·86m

Mystery

Thriller

Mystery

Thriller

Summary

Richard Hanney has a rude awakening when a glamorous female spy falls into his bed - with a knife in her back. Having a bit of trouble explaining it all to Scotland Yard, he heads for the hills of Scotland to try to clear his name by locating the spy ring known as The 39 Steps.

Cast

Robert Donat

Richard Hannay

Madeleine Carroll

Pamela

Lucie Mannheim

Annabella Smith

Godfrey Tearle

Professor Jordan

Peggy Ashcroft

The Crofter's Wife Margaret

John Laurie

John the Crofter

Helen Haye

Louisa Jordan

Frank Cellier

Sheriff Watson

Wylie Watson

Mr. Memory

Gus McNaughton

Salesman on the Flying Scotsman

Jerry Verno

Salesman on the Flying Scotsman

Peggy Simpson

The Jordans' Maid

Matthew Boulton

Fake Police Officer (uncredited)

Pat Hagate

M.C. Who Introduces Mr. Memory (uncredited)

Alfred Hitchcock

Man Walking Past Bus (uncredited)

Carleton Hobbs

Fake Police Officer (uncredited)

Elizabeth Inglis

Professor Jordan's Daughter Pat (uncredited)

Quinton McPherson

Clergyman on the Flying Scotsman (uncredited)

Frederick Piper

The Milkman (uncredited)

Hilda Trevelyan

The Innkeeper's Wife (uncredited)

Ivor Barnard

Political Meeting Chairman (uncredited)

Ex-Det. Sergt. Bishop

Police Sergeant (uncredited)

Wallace Bosco

Palladium Doorman (uncredited)

Vida Hope

Usherette (uncredited)

James Knight

Detective at London Palladium (uncredited)

Miles Malleson

Palladium Manager (uncredited)

John Rae

Audience Member at Political Meeting (uncredited)

John Turnbull

Scottish Police Inspector (uncredited)

S. J. Warmington

Scotland Yard Man (uncredited)

Charles Bennett

Second Passerby Near the Bus (uncredited)

Noel Birkin

Minor Role (uncredited)

Charles Hubert Renard

Second Violinist (uncredited)

Crew

Director

Alfred Hitchcock

Adaptation

Charles Bennett

Dialogue

Ian Hay

Novel

John Buchan

Reviews

Geronimo1967

June 19, 2022

A simply wonderful, sophisticated, adaptation of John Buchan's book of wartime espionage and murder. Robert Donat ("Hannay") goes to the theatre to see a man with an incredible memory; but instead becomes embroiled in a tale of cloak-and-dagger antics that see him accused of murder and forced to flee to the highlands of Scotland. It is here that he encounters a sceptical Madeleine Carroll and together they try to get to the bottom of this clever mystery. The dark and eerie Scottish scenery adds to the suspense and there are two good cameos from Peggy Ashcroft and John Laurie too. I found the ending let this down a little - but it is still a gripping hour and half to watch under the expert hand of Alfred Hitchcock.