JOHN BUCHAN CLASSIC

Evening Star, Issue 22233, 10 January 1936, Page 11

JOHN BUCHAN CLASSIC

‘39 STEPS 'AT STATE Mystery and adventure, the features of John Buchan’s book ‘ The Thirtynine Steps,’ make the film of the same name an unusually engrossing one, as those who enjoyed this morning’s first screening of the new programme at the State discovered. Alfred Hitchcock* the director, has , spared no pains in extracting the last ounce of value from# its piquant situations, its gripping sequences, and its fast-moving action* There have been one.or two departures from the original. . These, however* have been made solely for the purposes of modernisation, and they win complete approval, since they add greatly to the success of the film from- the viewpoint of. present-day production. The main plot remains substantially intact* as do many, of the individual incidents.The setting is still in Scotland, and the hero is still Richard Hnnnay, a man of delightful personality and uiishakeablo sangfroid, who hunts conspirators while he is hunted himself. The vein of light romance that is introduced is all to the good. Adventure is frequently tinged with irresistible comedy* so that a store which falls naturally, into the “thriller” category sets the nerves tingling with excitement arid lightens the heart with its humour. Robert Donat has the leading foie, and. is ns successful in it as he was in ‘ The Count of Monte Cristo.’ He plays the’ part of the amateur hunter of spies with full artistry, and makes' llis performance appeal to more by a regular infusion of humour. Madeline Carroll lends him splendid support as the charming. _if unwilling, companion in breath-taking adventure, and combines brilliantly with him in extracting all the tenseness and the humour from the experiences that befall # them; An, interesting and programme precedes the principal picture.