Alfred Hitchcock | The 39 Steps (1935) [Thriller]

"The 39 Steps" (1935) is a British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, loosely based on the adventure novel The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan. The film stars Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. Of the four major film versions of the book, this film has been the most acclaimed. In 1999, the film came in fourth in a BFI poll of British films. In 2004, Total Film named it the 21st greatest British movie of all time.
Canadian Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) is watching a demonstration of the superlative powers of recall of "Mr. Memory" (Wylie Watson) (a man with a photographic memory) at a London music hall theatre when shots are fired. In the ensuing panic, he finds himself holding a seemingly-frightened Annabella Smith (Lucie Mannheim), who talks him into taking her back to his apartment. There, she tells him that she is a spy, being chased by assassins, and that she has uncovered a plot to steal vital British military secrets, masterminded by a man with the top joint missing from one of his fingers. She mentions the "39 steps", but does not explain its meaning.
Later that night, Smith bursts into Hannay's bedroom, fatally stabbed in the back, and warns him to escape. He finds a map of Scotland clutched in her hand, with a town circled. He sneaks out of the watched apartment disguised as a milkman and boards a train to Scotland. He sees the police searching the train and learns from a newspaper that he is the target of a nationwide manhunt for Smith's murderer. Quickly, he enters a compartment and kisses the sole occupant, the attractive Pamela (Madeleine Carroll), in a desperate attempt to escape detection. She however frees herself from his unwanted embrace and alerts the policemen. Hannay jumps from the train onto the Forth Bridge and escapes.
He walks toward the town circled on the map, and stays the night with a poor crofter (farmer) (John Laurie) and his much younger wife (Peggy Ashcroft). The next morning, Hannay is chased by the police, wearing the farmer's Sunday coat (given to him by the young woman). Hannay presumes that the only new resident in the town must be Annabella's contact, whom she was trying to meet and tell of 'the 39 Steps.' Police still in pursuit, he arrives at the man's house, and tells his story to the seemingly respectable Professor Jordan (Godfrey Tearle), who then shows that he is missing part of a finger. Hannay realizes his mistake, but Jordan shoots and leaves him for dead. Luckily, the bullet is stopped by the farmer's hymnbook, left in a coat pocket.
Hannay goes to the local police, but they refuse to believe his story, since the inspector knows Jordan well. Hannay jumps through a window and escapes into the crowd. He tries to hide himself in a political meeting, but is mistaken for the introductory speaker; he gives a rousing impromptu speech (without knowing a thing about the candidate he is introducing), but is recognised by Pamela, who gives him up once more. He is handcuffed and taken away by "policemen", who ask Pamela to accompany them. Hannay realises they are agents of the conspiracy when they bypass the nearest police station. Hannay is handcuffed to Pamela while the men try to disperse a flock of sheep blocking the road, but he still manages to escape, dragging the unwilling Pamela along.
They travel across the countryside and stay the night at an inn. While he sleeps, she manages to slip out of the handcuffs, but then overhears one of the fake policemen on the telephone; the conversation confirms Hannay's assertions.
She returns to the room and sleeps on a sofa. Next morning, she tells him what she heard. He sends her to London to warn the police. No secret documents have been reported missing however, so they do not believe her. Instead, they follow her to get to Hannay. She leads them to Mr. Memory's show at the London Palladium. When the performer is introduced, Hannay recognises his theme music: it's the annoyingly catchy tune he hasn't been able to forget for days. Hannay puts two and two together and realises that the spies are using Mr. Memory to smuggle the secrets out. As the police take him into custody, he shouts out the question, "What are the 39 Steps?" Mr. Memory compulsively begins to answer, "The 39 Steps is an organisation of spies, collecting information on behalf of the foreign office of ...." Jordan shoots him and tries to flee, but is apprehended. The dying Mr. Memory recites the information stored in his brain, a design for a silent aircraft engine.
---
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, produced by Michael Balcon and Ivor Montagu, screenplay by Charles Bennett, story by John Buchan, starring Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim and Godfrey Tearle.

[@vintagebrew1057]

Donat and Carroll had great chemistry.

[@witchingours4432]

Robert Donat's scenes with Peggy Ashcroft may be some of the best in cinema history.

[@KM-nw7be]

In that short scene I could see what a great actress she was. It hurt to hear her being struck in the later scene.

[@paulphelps7809]

This movie you'll want to see multiple times, it's that good.

[@bloodyliar]

Robert Donat starting the movie with the coolest coat ever made

[@quentinlargcoie]

By far the best version

[@almeggs3247]

Donat was a superior actor and this was on of Hitchcock’s best! Awesome that this script was written six years before America entered the war!

[@kenchristie9214]

Terrible scrip. Doesn't explain the 39 steps. Instead we got this utter garbage about Mr. Memory. The 1978 version starring Robert Powell is far better.

[@ilirllukaci5345]

The book was about ww1.

[@user-te4of2fq5d]

They threw away the mold with Robert Donat, one of the very best ! The movies and actors out of English studios of this era, superb.

[@kevinbeck6785]

The Master Hitchcock and what a great cast in this brilliant thriller

[@BarraTerraceBoy]

Brilliant film, superb performances, and a work of art. Some great humour in it too, some understated and some overt: the rush for the exits after the gunshot early on was very funny

[@simonf8902]

The best of the three versions. Even Buchan said it was good.

[@Penguin_of_Death]

Four versions - Hannay played by Robert Donat, Kenneth Moore, Robert Powell and Rupert Penry-Jones

[@warplanner8852]

For those who may be interested, at 7:03 into the movie, Alfred Hitchcock's cameo is the man walking from left to right tossing the white cigarette box.

[@jwilcox4726]

Thanks I couldn't find the darn cameo. Back to movie & my ice cream!

[@joline2730]

@@jwilcox4726 you can always google when he's going to appear .... 😄😄👍👍💜💚

[@marvwatkins7029]

A great book, film, and director.

[@ilirllukaci5345]

Smith.

[@captainkev10]

Radio drama too.

[@skylongskylong1982]

Still the best of all the 39 step films.

[@MB-vu3ow]

Terrific movie-haven’t seen it in many years. I hope everyone spotted Alfred Hitchcock’s trademark appearance. Thank you for uploading.

[@AyebeeMk2]

no; that means I'll have to watch it again

[@user-te4of2fq5d]

Donat and Greer Garson in Goodbye Mr. Chips are cinematic magic, he magnificent. Please don't go through life having not seen it.

[@smilesheepish9705]

the best version ever.

[@scotthamilton007]

I am longtime student of Hitchcock’s films, and as many times as I’ve seen this film I just spotted something for the first time: a large movie poster advertising the film Hitchcock made just as year earlier: “The Man Who Knee too Much.” The poster can spotted high on a wall above the woman walking toward the camera at 19:24.

[@wrmty56413]

Unanswered Music Hall Questions: Pip (scaled tongue) in poultry is caused by poultry breathing through beak rather than closed nostrils, due to respiratory disease (such as catarrh) .1936 Epsom Derby winner: Aga Khan III's Mahmoud (ridden by Charles Smirke). 1926 Cup Winners: Bolton Wanderers. Chelsea would not win the Cup until 1969 Mick the Miller won 61 races in total (most notably two Greyhound Derby wins) Crippen was hanged in 1910. Mae West was 42 in 1935 The woman's husband was probably having an affair Unanswered Palladium Questions: Florence Nightingale died in 1910 Empire State Building: 1, 454 feet high (including antenna) Date of General Gordon's death: 26th January 1885 The "39 Steps" are an organisation of spies collecting information on behalf of the Foreign Office of Germany (presumably)

[@elrjames7799]

@Jim X. Nicely written 👍.

[@wrmty56413]

@@elrjames7799 Thanks!

[@postscript67]

I think I remember seeing Mick the Miller (albeit stuffed and mounted) on "Blue Peter" in the 1970s. I can't remember how Shep and Petra reacted.

[@fredneecher1746]

Amazing soundtrack! One of the best ever. Love the sheep!

[@Robert_Manners]

Yes I love the 1978 version of the film as its much closer to the original story, however the music 🎶 in this film is truly amazing and so atmospheric.

[@bettyreese2930]

I love the sheep y

[@fordlandau]

The best ever. Hitchcock finally masters his craft.

[@user-hk9zg2jy1u]

Finally?

[@mindrolling24]

Great film adapted from a great book. Thank you for posting it.

[@karenaustin4504]

39 Steps, what a great story

[@raymondgriffiths9305]

This is also the best one The original one With robert donat

[@3rcpro-life-semper1m5]

I didn't know it is a book! How cool! Who is the author? Oh, nevermind. I read all I need to know in the description box. My apologies.

[@judithfox2435]

What is not brilliant with Hitchcock’s earliest films. Completely entertaining.

[@richardsedding8444]

Wonderful movie, full of suspense!

[@alanwhite4949]

Just a Fantastic Twister an Turner in Alfred Hitchcocks Indubitable Style. Stellar Performances.

[@maryt9631]

I agree, Donat was a wonderful actor. Too bad he died young

[@joanware6473]

This was the first 39 steps, I love all of them.

[@johnraffrety4540]

I love this film.

[@billbarstad2773]

Hitchcock's man on the run, which he also did with Sabotage, North by Northwest and others. Also great.

[@THEFORBIDDENMAN-lk7of]

STILL LOVE THIS OLD CLASSIC FOR SOME REASON YT HAS REMOVE THE SHOWING OF THIS FILM FROM OTHER COLLECTIONS

[@austinclees9252]

I was the lead in this play and dang I wish I had this as a guid when I was studying it

[@pacarter7169]

I have the set of Alfred Hitchcock dvds, this one like the ending best… but seems strange when I start thinking about a movie eventually watch it again.

[@timothywebb6308]

The best version.

[@bluefish4580]

This is the best version of this film. The original version.

[@ant7936]

Excellent version, thanks.

[@videox222ify]

thanks for posting

[@MirrorScenes]

Wonderful film.

[@KohalaLover]

This was a wonderful, thrilling film; thank you.

[@TheSkirvo]

John Laurie plays the scottsman. He went on to play private Frazer in dad's army

[@codylander1355]

When the author saw the movie and was asked if he liked it , he said "I couldn't wait to see how it ended. " Listen to the book, fun to compare the differences.

[@simonf8902]

He also politely said he thought it was more exciting than the book.

[@Robert_Manners]

@@simonf8902 Well of course, Hitchcock directed it.

[@stevenlawton5319]

Would love to see it remastered to its former Glory .

[@naradaian]

I doubt there ever was a sharp version

[@romanpopyk]

I saw it in much better version, it was pirated though

[@josephjohnston6826]

The American films never quite matched his earlier British ones.

[@jennygibbons1258]

Thanks. Lovely clear upload.

[@onenonlynino]

I remember seeing this on a dollar store dvd years ago i still remember this and it’s 22 😂

[@ChrisHutchison]

For those who might be curious about the limerick whose first line is heard at 23:29 "There was a young lady from Ongar. who had an affair with a conger. I said, "Well how does it feel to sleep with an eel?" She said, "Just like a man, only longer.""

[@sherierodrigues1569]

Would you believe this, I am 72 now, no not that lol, I had to read that book when I was in school. Just a bit of trivia. Sherie Rodrigues

[@roberta9622]

Saw the play 39 Steps a few years ago! Wonderful...four actors playing all the parts! So very creative! Try to find the play!

[@shanemanchester]

I’ve seen that comedy a few times. Laughed my head off at it. 😀😀😀

[@cupidstunt70]

I saw that 12 years ago, absolutely brilliant. The mystery 5th hand at the end still makes me chuckle!

[@ricecoffee3968]

This, the original. The second re-make follows the original almost. The third re-make drifts off sightly but still good. I wonder what the book is like. Must read.

[@r4h4al]

Quite possibly the best film of all time. Shame the quality's so poor.

[@hudsony777]

Much better version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4fSaKiBaNufj9k

[@larrywhited3070]

@pc And you truly proved your own quality with your vulgar, filthy, foul mouth that is is fit only for the depths of hell. I strongly suggest repenting...look up the word if you don't understand it.

[@johnpeate4544]

@pc eventuay 😂🤣🤣

[@saikorofunk6498]

@pc that’s hilarious coming from a guy literally named pc lol

[@saikorofunk6498]

@pc That's not how other people would interpret pc - soyboy need safe space?

[@thatguyinelnorte]

Absolutely brilliant.😁

[@roburtvolkov4749]

When movies were not trash today's entertainment sucks

[@Rhombohedral]

18:23 to the milkman "are you married?" Milkman "yes, but don't rub it in"

[@ilirllukaci5345]

My favorite.

[@jackiecampbell7903]

Brilliant movie 💖

[@russelljones8108]

Fabulous film

[@lauralai9694]

At the 22 minute, a character in the train scene says: 'There is no honesty in this world at all'. And it's a line from a movie made in 1935 inspired by a book from 1915. However, I'm honestly saying that this was a great movie and I loved to make its review for my writing course final assignment. :-)

[@gj8683]

7:01 Hitchcock cameo -- throws a cigarette pack on the sidewalk.

[@carmenlottner297]

I keep expecting Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse to appear...

[@omega4881]

Is there an actor greater than Robert Donat? I don't think so.

[@MOGGS1942]

I loved him in ' The Winslow Boy '.

[@ChrisHutchison]

Of that era? I'd go for Leslie Howard.

[@omega4881]

@@ChrisHutchison He was magnificent I'm watching his son play Sherlock Holmes on TV time right now check it out

[@ChrisHutchison]

@@omega4881 I don't have a television, but I'm guessing you're referring to the 1950s television series? Happy memories!

[@peterthayer6238]

Reginald Owen was a great character actor and my friend in the last 2 years of his life. I asked him who he thought was the greatest actor. He immediately responded: Robert Donat.

[@michaelcrouch8783]

Damn Great!

[@michaeljames6953]

38:34 "How do you do, Mr Hammond? Forgive the orgy, but we've all been to church, and the sermon lasted three-quarters of an hour!" What!??!?!?

[@jameshogan6142]

You should see the subtitle for when Hannay is asking the farmer to put him up for the night. The farmer asks two and six but the subtitle reads doing sex.

[@johnnya867]

I think if you add up the times I've watched this and the 1937 Prisoner of Zenda the numbers would be staggering! lol. Donat is amazing in this, alternately flippant and intense. Great actor . Madeline Carrol also excellent. She didn't have much to to in the Prisoner of Zenda, too bad. Hitchcock has a long list of great films and this is the 1st one. He did some good english films before this but this one really hits the mark. Lousy print but you can't help that some time. Still rivetting. The Lady Vanishes a few years later also A1.

[@jenniferannecchini5216]

Love this movie 🎬 🎞 🎥

[@johnrogan9420]

Spy 🕵️‍♂️ is missing one pinkey.

[@dizzy1369]

I was binge reading hitchcock books long before binge watching existed but now I think it's time to binge watch movies just cuz I can. 😂🤣

[@davidsawyer6970]

Good movie 🎥.

[@tomdegan6924]

Great film.

[@timorvet1]

Would love to see it restored some day.

[@memzehni]

It is restored... since 15 years or so.

[@runlarryrun77]

It has been, beautifully. The state of this old print shows why the restoration was needed.

[@hudsony777]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4fSaKiBaNufj9k

[@Scottw011]

@@hudsony777 Thanks for the link. I was about to bail out of this movie due to the quality.

[@hudsony777]

@@Scottw011 It's a great movie, don't bail!

[@johnrogan9420]

Memory experts

[@hughmcnair56]

Best film even

[@WilHenDavis]

Hint: don't turn on the captions, unless you want to be totally confuserated! ;)

[@maryoleary5044]

Perfect

[@pacarter7169]

When the lady finally learns that her abductor is innocent… she eventually falls in love with him.

[@brucedurand4208]

That was one great secret he had !!

[@michaelcrouch8783]

Interesting how the plot is so twisted

[@MrSt2782]

Does anyone know the tune/song the orchestra was playing during the 1:17:14 mark?

[@MrSt2782]

Bump

[@guggle86]

I have just seen the restored version. Does anyone else think the lady in the audience at 1:17:00 is Margaret Lockwood. We see her twice. (Doing a cameo appearance?)

[@joeyskokowski9405]

Omg perfect

[@luciamariasobreiradealbuqu4986]

Colocar legenda em português por favor

[@rogerbathory925]

😊GREAT OLD MOVIE 🎬 🎞

[@jamesalexander5623]

Good Show! Jolly Good Show!

[@sandrabrown8750]

I love the film 39 steps. Some one should re-make it. It's a great movie.

[@radiogramgramophonetoons5802]

There are 2 other versions that were made after this that I’ve seen. One with Kenneth Moore and the other with Robert Powell

[@sandrabrown8750]

@@radiogramgramophonetoons5802 YES I've seen that one. But a newer version of this. Bring it up to date. 39 steps a great movie.

[@radiogramgramophonetoons5802]

@@sandrabrown8750 ......... this original with Robert Donat, is the best version, I don’t think it could be improved

[@willhay6148]

@@radiogramgramophonetoons5802 The child actress who played Jane Banks in Mary Poppins, played along side Robert Powell in that version.

[@radiogramgramophonetoons5802]

@@willhay6148 that’s right, I can picture her face

[@andrewfrancis7272]

It's not much like the book I remember, but still an enjoyable romp. Was that Pvt. Frazier playing the Scots husband?

[@carmenlottner297]

It jolly well is,you know!Well spotted!

[@andrewfrancis7272]

@@carmenlottner297 We're doomed! Doomed, I say" Lol. John Laurie had a long career - a lot of Shakespeare on stage, and one of the most popular Hamlets in his day.

[@willhay6148]

@Brockside I think she won an Oscar for 'A Passage To India'.

[@Robert_Manners]

The 1978 Robert Powell version is much more closer to the original writing that you will have read in John Buchan's 1915 story.

[@alancumming6407]

@@Robert_Manners It's not really. The ending is ludicrous.

[@szabo50]

why would the script call a pistol a revolver 42 minute mark

[@c.w.miller3024]

Wow. A 1935 police helicopter.

[@TyhlerNovac]

What movie did Grace Kelly look in the camera while she was being murdered

[@sonhopson1]

Dial M for Murder I think.🙂

[@Royed]

Back in the day there wasn't a thing called voice mail so if someone was trying to reach you and couldn't they would have to do the old school method. Stabbing a lady in the back with a note to give you only to die once the note has been passed. Technology sure changed things up!

[@Austongold]

Even in 1935 the book was a million times better than the movie

[@alancumming6407]

Indeed.

[@PHILD0]

30:43 John Laurie of Dad's Army fame.

[@tentacle218]

Great movie, but KZbin's incessant ads make it unwatchable.

[@ruffruff7063]

Slide cursor to end of movie and start again gets rid of adds

[@MCU851]

After reading the entire summary , is there any reason to watch the movie

[@thatguyinelnorte]

No. Go watch that movie about Wakanda.

[@johnrogan9420]

Movie has a surreal feeling.

The guy is frying fish in the pan in the kitchen for the mysterious sexy lady at 10:53, that scene is unforgatable for me,ı've never forgotten that specific scene since my childhood,and obviously that very scene was meant to be for me purposely once again through time manipulation method by the garandpa Hitchcock.

[@windowlightstudios4733]

What in the world are those crying noises at 2:28 coming from?

[@christinecochran5215]

Pretty sure it's a child, a young child in the audience or a baby.

[@garyfrancis6193]

Starts at 00:30

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

Athought it is a good story, this movie version has only three things in common with the novel. 1 it is about spies and 2 the main character’s name is Hannay. 3. someone was stabbed in the back in Hannay’s flat But it was a man not a woman. After that there is virtually no similarity with the book at all. I studied this book for English Lit (why is a good question, for it is hardly a classic) about 60 yrs ago. I guessed there would be some differences, but I can assure anyone reading this that the book is far more exciting than this movie. I think there is another version (still further removed from the book) that is more comedy (of errors) than drama. If you want a story that is true, and about spies and very much more thrilling than this…watch the 2020 movie with Benedict Cumberbutch called ‘The Courier”

[@alancumming6407]

The book is full of menace with a great ending. None of the films come close.

[@vitabricksnailslime8273]

I only came here to find out one thing. Where *_do_* all of the flies go in winter? There's bound to be some Mr Knowitall around here somewhere.

[@bluefish4580]

Shame there’s an ad with Nigel Farage playing the investment advisor before the film!

[@seymourskinner2533]

@@debbiesalmon2870 😂🤣😂🤪🤣😂 good one

[@ER-ej7fg]

Yes, I see that it did not work.

[@briangrigsby1842]

UFO stuff plus super bike races have I found a home!!!

[@allenwatkins4972]

At 36:08 there appears an odd sort of aircraft for a couple seconds. It appears to have a rotor like a helicopter and a propeller like an airplane. This in 1934 or 1935. I didn't know development of the helicopter started that early.

[@FrankWilkinson-ig6co]

Gyrocoptor