BUCHAN'S 'THE 39 STEPS'

Evening Star, Issue 22229, 6 January 1936, Page 9

BUCHAN'S 'THE 39 STEPS'

PEERLESS ADAPTION OF CLASSIC In every respect ‘ The 39 Steps/ the Gaumont-British production which is to open at the State on Friday, is an outstanding film. It has a well-knit storywhich gives a new twist to some familiar ideas, it is told crisply and convincingly. it is superbly mounted, and its cast consists of experienced actors and actresses who without exception make splendid character studies of their roles. It has just the right infusion of humour in a plot that is essentially melodramatic. The picture is an adaptaton of John Buchan’s wellknown story of the machinations of ait international espionage organisation and the adventures of a man who attempts to outwit them. Robert Donat,’ who has already achieved fame ai “ Monte Cristo,” is the young man who sets out to foil the spies, and,is, of course, the central figure of the story, with Madeleine Carroll in the role of al ' young woman who takes a great deal of convincing as to the righteousness of his cause, but who eventually gives him invaluable help. Their work, of • course, is splendid. Donat possesses a charming but entirely masculine personality. and is well cast as the young Canadian who is dragged, willy-nilly* into a drama of international espionage. Madeleine Carroll, too, is involved in the drama by chance, and one of _ the best scenes in the picture is the flight of the two principals, handcuffed together, across the Scottish moors. .