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The 39 Steps
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The 39 Steps (1935) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 64 | slideshow) Videos (see all 2)
The 39 Steps (1935) -- Spies and the police chase a handcuffed couple who cannot stand each other.
The 39 Steps (1935) -- A man in London tries to help a counterespionage agent. But when the agent is killed and he stands accused, he must go on the run to both save himself and also stop a spy ring trying to steal top secret information.

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   18,326 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 9% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Alfred Hitchcock
Writers:
John Buchan (novel)
Charles Bennett (adaptation)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The 39 Steps on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 August 1935 (USA) more
Genre:
Mystery | Thriller more
Tagline:
His First Picture Since "Monte Cristo" ROBERT DONAT more
Plot:
A man in London tries to help a counterespionage agent. But when the agent is killed and he stands accused, he must go on the run to both save himself and also stop a spy ring trying to steal top secret information. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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User Comments:
Don't be put off by its age - this one is worth seeing. more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Robert Donat ... Richard Hannay
Madeleine Carroll ... Pamela
Lucie Mannheim ... Annabella aka Miss Smith
Godfrey Tearle ... Professor Jordan
Peggy Ashcroft ... Margaret - Crofter's Wife
John Laurie ... John - Crofter
Helen Haye ... Mrs. Jordan
Frank Cellier ... Sheriff Watson
Wylie Watson ... Mr. Memory
Gus McNaughton ... Commercial Traveller with Pipe (as Gus Mac Naughton)
Jerry Verno ... Commercial Traveller
Peggy Simpson ... Maid
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Thirty-Nine Steps (UK) (alternative spelling)
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Runtime:
86 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (British Acoustic Film Full Range Recording System)
Certification:
UK:A (original rating) | France:U | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:12 (2002) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:G (DVD rating) | Australia:PG (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:U | USA:Unrated | Norway:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The 62 imported sheep, upon arriving at the sound stage, immediately went to work on the bracken and bushes that had been brought with them. The infuriated crew had to replace the real plants with ones hastily bought from a local nursery. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the scenes where Hannay and Pamela are hiding under the waterfall to escape the police, Hannay's free hand is in his pocket on the close ups, but against the rock behind him in the long shots. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Music hall announcer: Ladies and Gentleman, with your kind attention, and permission, I have the honor of presenting to you one of the most remarkable men in the world.
Heckler in Audience: How remarkable? He's sweating!
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in 'Topaz': An Appreciation by Film Critic/Historian Leonard Maltin (2001) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Tinkle, Tinkle, Tinkle more

FAQ

Why are the picture and sound so bad?
Does Alfred Hitchcock have a cameo in "The 39 Steps"?
Is "The 39 Steps" based on a novel?
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52 out of 57 people found the following comment useful:-
Don't be put off by its age - this one is worth seeing., 13 April 2005
10/10
Author: palinurus2 from United Kingdom

If what you want from a thriller is in-yer-face mugging, special effects, noise, a booming soundtrack, gore, nudity and flashy editing, this one is not for you.

However if you are a more discerning moviegoer who values a great script, exquisite understated acting, wit, humour and intelligence, and you are willing to overlook the technically rough bits (come on, this was 1935, you cannot measure it by 2005 standards !!) - then enjoy, because you are in for a treat.

Robert Donat is one of the most charming heroes that ever graced the screen, and but for his frail health and loathing of the Hollywood pzazz (he later refused some great movie parts offered to him, which eventually went to the likes of Erroll Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks Jr) he might have become one of the greatest. Watch the dinner scene with the crofters, in which he manages to convey his plight to the wife entirely without words. Great acting. Also the wickedly funny bravura piece at the political rally.

Madeleine Carroll must be among the coolest and feistiest of Hitchcock's favoured blondes, not as insipid or irrelevant as many of the others were. She is a veritable icicle and it takes a long time for her to thaw, but then watch the sparks fly.

I feel a little sad for the people who cannot be bothered to check out this movie because of the tinny sound or the b&w photography. Forget about those superficialities and concentrate on the real values - the script, the acting, the lighting, photography and camera work -, just allow yourself to get carried away with the fast paced action, and you'll love it.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The 39 Steps (1935)
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Great film, BUT ... Andy_Kaufman-1
lit ref of Hitchcock movie to Salinger's 'Catcher in the Rye' ahall-3
Question about the knife spammy-5
Not in the Top 250 Movies palufish
Who spotted the Dad's Army connection? danastarbuck
Don't you find it odd... paavo20
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