The 39 Steps

Here's to you Mrs. Robinson. The 39 Steps is directed by Ralph Thomas and adapted to screenplay by Frank Harvey from the novel of the same name written by John Buchan. It stars Kenneth More, Taina Elg, Brenda De Banzie, Barry Jones, Reginald Beckwith and Faith Brook. Music is by Clifton Parker and cinematography by Ernest Steward. Some found it hard to differentiate this interpretation of the classic novel from the superb Alfred Hitchcock version made in 1935. Which is a shame because on its own terms this is a fun packed mystery boosted by More's effervescent charm. Story is a cracker, Richard Hannay (More) finds himself up to his neck in espionage after a mysterious lady is stabbed to death in is flat. Trying to get to the bottom of the mystery puts him in grave danger and takes him North to Scotland, where he hopes he can clear himself of the suspected murderer rap - and unravel the words he heard - The 39 Steps. No! It isn't as good as Hitch's film, choosing to replace out and out suspense with a more humoristic approach, but the chase yarn aspects are briskly directed by Thomas, and the Scottish locations provided a wonderful backdrop to the fun drama. This same year Hammer Films put a different spin on The Hound of the Baskervilles, with fine results. So it be with the Rank Organisation and this take on the Buchan story. Good fun and well worth a look if you haven't seen it before. 7/10

Although it could never be anywhere near as good as the 1935 version, Kenneth More does a reasonable job as John Buchan's "Hannay" here. On leaving the theatre one evening, he finds himself with a new friend (Betty Henderson) whom he invites back to his flat. When he returns from the kitchen to tell her he has no sugar for the tea, he finds that isn't her top priority any more and he is soon embroiled in a murder and espionage mystery that could strike at the very heart of the kingdom. Armed only with a clue about a village in Scotland and a man with a missing finger, he sets off to get to the bottom of it all. Colour photography can be the enemy of films like this. The sense of peril and menace is frequently compromised by the brightness of the light. More tries hard, but he just hasn't the weight (nor the wit) to carry of this character - and the arrival of Taina Elg ("Fisher") once he gets to Scotland adds very little to the gravitas of the culmination to the story. It's fine to watch, a decent supporting cast - Brenda de Banzie, Reginald Beckwith and James Hayter all add a little, but in the end it isn't so much a thriller as a light-weight adventure film.

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John Chard

CinemaSerf