Double feature by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock shown on December 12
Monday, November 16th, 2009Norwich Community Cinema is proud to present two early Hitchcock films produced before the British filmmaker came to Hollywood.
The 39 Steps is a 1935 British thriller based on the adventure novel The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan.The film stars Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll and made film history and established Hitchcock’s reputation as a master of suspense. The style is considered quintessential Hitchcock and has been imitated by many other directors.
Summary: A man in London tries to help a counterespionage agent. But when the agent is killed and he stands accused, he must go on the run to both save himself and also stop a spy ring trying to steal top secret information.
The Lady Vanishes (19380) The comedy-thriller stars Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas and Dame May Whitty.
When The Lady Vanishes opened in the U.K. it was an immediate hit, becoming the most successful British film to that date. It was also very successful when it opened in New York.
Awards and honors The film was named “Best Picture of 1938” by the New York Times, and Alfred Hitchcock received the 1939 New York Film Critics Circle Award for “Best Director”.
Summary: While traveling in continental Europe, a rich young playgirl realizes that an elderly lady seems to have disappeared from the train
