The 39 Steps

THE SPYING GAME: BRITISH CINEMA AND THE SECRET STATE

Director: Alfred Hitchcock. Starring: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll.

United Kingdom, 1935. 86 mins.

Faced with a murdered woman in his flat, Robert Donat flees by train to Scotland, is chased through the moors, enjoys a handcuffed rendezvous with the beautiful Madeleine Carroll, and has a final encounter with 'The Memory Man'. The film that established Hitchcock's success and brought him to Hollyood's attention, its story of an innocent man on the run, pursued by police and criminals, has influenced many but never been bettered.