I just love this movie. Incredible acting, casting and direction. It was packed with suspense and action scenes that were iconic then and they are iconic today. The chemistry between Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint is present and it makes me feel as though their attraction for each other is real. Also Cary Grant did "Charade" with Audrey Hepburn when he was older and he looked in top shape. He did some great movies at an older age, he did not slow down.
Cary Grant looked better at 60 than most of us men do in are prime in our 20's. But he was so much more than a handsome man. That guy had humor, charisma and charm by the truck load. You root for his characters at a base level because he is so damned likable!
I want to thank you because your Cary Grant review led me to watch this movie again and to watch this review for the first time. This is the perfect movie for these times because it is just pure entertainment. Not a lot makes sense, but it's a great movie. Probably my favorite Grant and my favorite Hitch movie. Cary Grant, of course, carries the movie with his charm and abundant humor - even when his life is being threatened. And he looks great in the same grey suit almost the entire picture. There are so many great scenes like the crop dusting scene, which is probably the most talked about. Most action movies today are hit the viewer with visuals - hit them fast and hard. But this scene is allowed to breathe. There are shots of flat, open land and cars just driving by. Sure, there are easier ways to kill somebody, but none more suspenseful and fun for the viewer. The auction scene is also great. Besides his funny exit, I really like Eva Marie Saint's performance because she is just sitting there with emotion building up and you can see tears in her eyes. It's 2 hours and 15 minutes of pure fun that fly by. Couldn't recommend this movie enough.
The whole inspiration for this film was based on this one idea by Hitchcock: A man stands at a crossroads in the middle of nowhere with nothing around for miles. He looks to the left. Nothing. Looks to the right. Nothing. A car drives by, but just drives by. Nothing happens. The man stands waiting. The something finally happens. The master of suspense.
It is a testament to the craft and artistry of Hitchcock that one of the most iconic and gripping sequences in film is also one of the most ridiculous. People rarely question it, but the Crop Duster Scene is straight out of the Dr. Evil playbook. I saw NBNW in the theater when it was first released. The kid in me still watches it every few years. One of the Master's best.
Clare Greet also appeared in six films directed (plus one produced) by Alfred Hitchcock. The films directed by Hitchcock were: The Ring (1927), The Manxman (1929), Murder! (1930), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), Sabotage (1936), Jamaica Inn (1939). The film produced by Hitchcock was Number 13 (1922) John Williams appeared in three films directed by Alfred Hitchcock and eight episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The films were: The Paradine Case (1947), Dial M for Murder (1954) and To Catch a Thief (1955). The episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents were: The Long Shot (1955), Back for Christmas (1956), Whodunit (1956), Wet Saturday (1956), The Rose Garden (1956), I Killed the Count (1957), The Three Dreams of Mr.Findlater (1957), and Banquo’s Chair (1959). But the individual who appeared in by far the most films directed by Alfred Hitchcock was............. Alfred Hitchcock who appeared in 39 films directed by Alfred Hitchcock!
This is one of my favorite Hitchcock "color" films. Every time I see this it always makes me want to take a train ride. Having watched your Star Trek reviews, did you notice the actor that played Licht (Robert Ellenstein) is also the "President of the United Federation of Planets" in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home? Cary Grant has been (and always will be) my definition of "how a man should dress". He's extremely underrated as an actor, in my opinion. He was also the 1st choice to play James Bond, before they cast Sean Connery (James Mason was their 2nd choice). Another great review.
I can't remember if it was last year or the year before but Turner Classic movies was actual screening the movie around a ton of amc theaters around the country and it made it to the newly built amc theater in my town it was so cool
North By Northwest is Hitchcock's best "Man on the run from the law" movies alongside The 39 Steps. Cary Grant regardless of his age was right for this role and very much carries the movie and has great chemistry with Eva Marie Saint. Excellent review!
I comletely agree and I'll add; if you enjoyed NBNW and you havn't seen The 39 Steps, I highly recommend it. It's Hitchcock's other wrong man on a train with a beautiful woman who might be good, might not be so good. Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll have a 1930's wit and chemestry that was slick then, just as NBNW had clever, quick 1950's dialogue. It's a lot of fun.
I'll review the soundtrack if you like. That's one of Bernard Hermann's greatest scores and it's perfect for the movie. The theme is a Fandango, brisk, and flying; fitting for RoT in his cross country flight from everyone. Listen as Roger enters the Plaza Hotel; the song playing on the hotel speakers is "It's a Most Unusual Day" by Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson; ironic don't you think? Later, in the one slow scene as Roger and Eve fall in love, the music slows to an intimate crawl while flutes and oboes carry a haunting and romantic theme. As the pace picks back up and we get to the iconic crop-duster, Hitchcock and Hermann made a brilliant decision that helped make the scene unforgettably surrealistic and dream-like. The scene has no music at all; nothing but the vast silence of the spreading corn fields until a literal explosion brings the music back with incredible force. Finally, it's the Rushmore scenes. As we see Roger and Eve atop Mt. Rushmore thinking they are facing certain death, we are hit with a wall of terrifying horns, like majestic and eminent doom. Hermann was a giant of a film composer and a pioneer of suspense and horror movie music. In all he scored seven Hitchcock films and, of course, one would become one of the most well-known pieces of music in film history. Bernard Hermann was brilliant and the score for NBNW will leave you dizzy like the plot.
Favorite exchange: GRANT - apparently the only role that will satisfy you is when I play dead. MASON - your very next role and you'll be quite convincing I assure you.
One of my favorite Hitchcock movies and one of my favorite Hitchcock leading ladies. Eve Kendall is right up there with Alicia Huberman and Frances Stevens. I am surprised you're not a James Mason fan. Along with the distinctive voice, he plays heroes and villains equally well. A movie of his I'm sure you've seen, and most likely like, played on one of the local UHF stations when I was a kid fairly regularly. Journey to the Center of the Earth. Just imagine my surprise when we finally got a color TV when I was about 8 or 9. 🙂 Leo G. Carroll is wonderful in this, and always fun to see in a Hitchcock film. Another regular not in this one, who is another favorite of mine is John Williams. 3 movies and countless AH Presents roles, perhaps as many as 10. Another excellent review Weisie. It had to be a challenge to avoid giving spoilers. It's a movie that only begins to make sense when all the pieces are in place. And Hitch masterfully releases those pieces a little at a time, pulling the viewer further in with each little nugget. It's an amazing ride. His man on the run movies are so much fun.
If pressed to pick my favorite Hitchcock movie I guess North by Northwest would have to be it. Why? You just covered that well. I 1st saw it as a kid and like you I wasn't quite getting it all but I knew it was good. Even as a 6 or 7 year old I knew I liked Cary Grant. The personification of a movie star. Great cast good story that just keeps you fully engaged from the very beginning to the dramatic end. Very good movie.
Thanks for posting! If you haven't seen it before, you might enjoy what was once called "The greatest film Hitchcock never made," Witness For The Prosecution from 1957, directed by Billy Wilder. Super-surprise ending.
The late Les Tremayne plays the auctioneer. He loved doing this film. He told me that it took maybe a week to shoot this very short scene. "Will the gentleman please cooperate with the spirit of the proceedings?" Good line.
Jerome, you are articulate, insightful and fun to watch. As someone who wrote movie reviews for print, I'm also impressed by your presentation and editing abilities - it's a lot of work! But my oh my, how can you not like James Mason? As you say, his Vandamm is probably the smoothest villain in the Hitchcock canon. He's perfectly oily as the spy in Five Fingers, likeable in the "monster" hit Journey of the Centre of the Earth - and a solid presence in everything from The Verdict to The Blue Max and even Cross of Iron. Finally, he seemed like a nice guy as I recall Lynn Redgrave praising all his support when she debuted in Georgy Girl. Ah, to each his own. Oh, and congrats for getting through this entire review without using the term "McGuffin"!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos and my presentation style! Ah yes, my James Mason comment, the part of this video that has ruffled a few feathers! Since I filmed this, I've seen some of his earlier films and really enjoyed them (and him in them). I especially liked Hotel Reserve (1944) and Cry Terror! (1958, which, okay, is just one year before North By Northwest). I discussed both in my "what else I saw" series, if you're interested in hearing more of my thoughts on those. These experiences did a lot to redeem Mason in my eyes, though I still feel he ended up playing some awfully distasteful, creepy guys!
@@JeromeWeiselberry glad to hear it - and I know you're too clever to dislike the actor for the unsavory roles he plays. This reminds me of Fred McMurray. He played heels in Double Indemnity and the Caine Mutiny but also had nicer roles, like the TV dad in My Three Sons. As that show launched he also appeared as the heel of heels in The Apartment. After that Best Picture was released - an angry mom accosted McMurray (in Disneyland?) for playing such a cad. It really shook him. He only played "safe" roles afterwards - mainly lightweight Disney comedies. He was well off but it was a sad end for the man who committed murder for Barbara Stanwyck's ankle bracelet.
I think one of the things that makes NBNW such a great movie is that it is so surreal: the waiting for the bus, and Rushmore scenes are witty and absurd. And what do you mean you aren't a James Mason fan? Bigger than Life, A Star is Born, Odd Man Out, The Seventh Veil, The Man in Grey. Binge on those Weiselberry.
It's ok not to get on with an actor. Heck I've never liked Meryl Streep except in Deer Hunter. But I do like James Mason a lot, and amongst the many aspects I appreciate is that even when playing broadly sympathetic roles there is often something about the character that doesn't sit quite right. He carries an air of unease around with him that might at any moment reveal itself as something unpleasant - witty or charming but still unsettling or worse
As one who is quite deliberate in his grooming and attire, I thank you for giving special note to one of the most memorable supporting characters of this Cary Grant movie, the Kilgour suit.
Favorite exchage, "Tell me, what makes a girl like you a girl like you?", "Lucky, I guess", "No not lucky; naughty, wicked, up to no-good. Ever kill anyone.... ?".
I didn't like this movie (as blasphemous as it sounds) the first time, but it has warmed on me and I seem to like it better. I appreciate Hitchcock quite a bit. Anyhow, loved your thoughts on this. Thanks!
You did a great job of reviewing this film without spoilers! Cary Grant has a glamorous James Bond quality; Jimmy Stewart wouldn't have been believable as Eva Marie Saint's love interest lol If anything Jimmy Stewart would have been perfect playing the guy who was waiting for the bus on that deserted stretch of highway lol
This is my favorite Hitchcock film. A perfect blend of action, suspense, humor, and romance. Perfectly cast from top to bottom and brilliantly scored by Bernard Herrmann. Much as I enjoy the vast majority of Hitchcock's movies, I do wish he'd taken this light touch approach in a few more of them. Are you planning to review the Master's entire body of work? I ask because so few people seem to be aware that Hitchcock directed a screwball comedy with the queen of the genre, Carole Lombard, entitled Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
I have been focusing on the suspense films in my review series and will probably continue to do so, but I'm sure I'll discuss other ones eventually. No telling when that may be, though, since I'm going at kind of a snail's pace. (I did see Mr. and Mrs. Smith years ago, as well as a couple other non-thrillers of his.)
For me, it's the last great Hitchcock's movie. This production has a wonderful cast (in addition to Cary Grant, great performances of Eva Marie Saint and Martin Landau); an interesting screenplay (showing a kind of pre-James Bond film); and a very good cinematography. And, until then, the dangers and thereats were only suggested, not explicit. I say this because, from the next Hitchcock's movie ("Psycho"), this director began to be more explicit in their films, using more horror than thriller. And this fact , in my opinion, it was not so good to the Hitchcock productions. I'm not saying that, after "North By Northwest", didn't have good films in his catalogue. But, in my opiniom, the quality was not in the same level again.
A puzzling line spoken by Martin Landau “Call it my woman’s intuition, if you will,” says Leonard. “but I’ve never truested neatness. Neatness is always a result of deliberate planning.”
Jimmy Stewart could not have pulled off this role but I think Gregory Peck could have, just not as well as Grant. But the scene that sticks with me more than any other is the dining car scene. The chemistry between Grant and Saint is palpable.
Like the others have said, great review. A couple of fun facts: In the cafeteria scene where Eve "shoots" Thorhill, a kid in the background covers his ears right before the shot. And secondly, during the breakfast table scene on the train some of Eve's lines had to be dubbed over because the censors didn't like the original lines as they were too risque.
One of my all time favorites. Might be my favorite Hitchcock, but Rear Window is equally good. This is probably the most fun and exciting of all the Hitchcock movies. I don't think many people would regard Psycho as a jolly watch. I had heard in addition to Jimmy Stewart and Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and William Holden were also considered. Cary Grant was definitely the best choice for the role. I'm surprised to hear your not a fan of James Mason. He made an excellent Watson opposite Christopher Plummer as Holmes.
There is one scene that spoiled it for me a little and that was when Grant pulled the knife out of the man's back which is something no one in their right mind would do. Another observation, which was rather absurd, was when the thugs poured whiskey into him which would have made even the most hardened boozer throw up, or even kill him. Nevertheless it is my favourite Hitchcock movie.
You mention Saul Bass. Did I tell you about the time I threw an entire garbage can full of, uh, garbage, at him? Film making makes for some pretty weird happenings, along with the movies themselves.
Jerome, People who have watched the film and take a train ride hope to meet a mysterious woman on the train. A little Hitchcock humour the porter is only a short man his uniform would'nt fit Cary Grant. Cheers, Chris Perry.
Very good review and brilliant regarding that this movie was like a precursor to the James Bond movies. I’m 62 now and your age does matter in watching this movie. I’ve seen it probably a half dozen times, and when I was younger, I just kicked back and enjoyed it, however, like you said, I don’t care for James Mason because his voice is disturbing and too distracting. At age 62, I’ve noticed after I watched it again on TCM last night that in the beginning I find Cary Grant hammy and overacting. He also seems to be playing his part like he used to in his movies with Katherine Hepburn: a sort of frolicking comedy and too silly. As North by Northwest progresses he seems to tone it down and becomes more focused and serious. When I was younger, like 28 or so, I found the plot too choppy and even now I think that is still true. Otherwise a great show with a lot of Americana in it (New York, Mount Rushmore, passenger trains, etc.).
If you get a chance to watch the movie, check out the young child extra in blue sitting in the restaurant just before Eva Marie Saint shoots Cary Grant. I'm assuming he was tired of hearing the gunshots retake after retake. I work background and I could definitely understand!! I'm surprised Hitchcock left that in, he must have noticed it, but then he WAS known to have a sense of humor. czcams.com/video/L7YVcnBbeeI/video.html
I'm supposed to be writing right now, but, like many who write there are a lot of those "ok, what do I want to say next?" moments (that become minutes) and one has to stop. For a bit. And this is another one of those "check out YT" minutes-moments. I am on same page re NxNW. I much prefer it to VERTIGO, which, of course, seems to be on everyone's "all-time" lists. The only thing I might comment on is related to James Mason. A little surprised you are not a "fan", as you say. But what and/or who strikes a chord is such a personal thing. Mason to me is right at the top of the list of what a think of as "magical" performers who convey some quality that is just "above and beyond" is some way (Claude Rains is there along with many others of those earlier eras, as well as contemporary actors like Geoffrey Rush, Charlize Theron, Sigourney Weaver...I'd better stop there because this is a tangent. Again.) Wonder if you've seen the Disney version of 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA? Mason, as they say, owns the part of Captain Nemo. Wonder if you've talked about that film or, if not, plan to do so at some point?
Oh dear, I dislike those moments. But I'm happy if my videos can provide a momentary distraction. :) I haven't seen that version of 20,000 Leagues but I've had a few people tell me that it's very good, so it's on my list of things to see.
@@JeromeWeiselberry Not that budget per se is the point, but Disney did give the Jules Verne undersea epic everything it deserved. It was the biggest-budgeted science fiction films done until 2001/PLANET OF THE APES in '68, a fact rather remarkable in itself since---generally speaking----studios gave SF projects short shrift for decades.
Hm, I don't think that's quite right. According to the birthdates I found, Cary Grant was born on January 18, 1904, and Jessie Royce Landis was born on November 25, 1896.
@@JeromeWeiselberry I’ve read a few Hitchcock biographies ( admittedly quite a while ago ) and they often said that the notorious part of this was that Landis and Grant were born in the same year. So this stuck in my mind. I just checked in Quinlan’s Character Stars and that says Landis was born in 1904 as well. I’ve also found 1904 on several websites when double checking Landis date of birth ! AND guess what : I’m currently watching a documentary about N by NW HOSTED BY EVA MARIE SAINT and she says “Cary was only a year younger than Jessie Royce Landis”. Was Eva Marie Saint misinformed?! Seems to be some revisionism here ! All the Hitch books I read in 1980s/1990s said those two actors were born in the same year 1904, but yes I can see a few websites now listing 1896 for Landis. Watching the film again last night, to me Landis does look more 55 than somewhere in her 60s. I’m not sure which source to believe now! Half the sources say 1896, the other half 1904, and the Hitch books I read last century always made a point of saying 1904 for both actors
That is strange, and I don't know what to tell you. I will say this, though: the first time she got married was reportedly in 1915 to Lester Perry Landis. If that's the case, she couldn't have been born in 1904. I'll also add that her Wikipedia page does address the issue: "In the 1950s, she began appearing in movies as a character actress, such as her roles in To Catch a Thief (1955), and North by Northwest (1959), both starring Cary Grant and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. In North by Northwest she played Grant's character's mother, and in To Catch a Thief and The Swan (1956), she played the mother of characters played by Grace Kelly. Landis's appearance in North by Northwest earned her publicity for portraying Cary Grant's mother despite claiming to be nearly a year younger. Landis listed 1904 as the year of her birth. However, she had actually shaved eight years off her age. She appears in the 1900 U.S. Census as a 3-year-old born in November 1896; not old enough to be his (biological) mother."
@@JeromeWeiselberry Well, I’m 57 and if 63 year old women today look as age-defyingly good as Landis did in “North by Northwest”, I may go chasing a few gals in their 60s ! I wouldn’t have turned down Jessie if given the opportunity in 1959 ! Apart from Cary Grant, ( who always looked fantastic for his age) back then most actors tended to look their age, especially if they weren’t major stars. Hats off to glamorous Jessie !
I just love this movie. Incredible acting, casting and direction. It was packed with suspense and action scenes that were iconic then and they are iconic today. The chemistry between Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint is present and it makes me feel as though their attraction for each other is real. Also Cary Grant did "Charade" with Audrey Hepburn when he was older and he looked in top shape. He did some great movies at an older age, he did not slow down.
Kinda like Denzel Washington now.
Cary Grant looked better at 60 than most of us men do in are prime in our 20's. But he was so much more than a handsome man. That guy had humor, charisma and charm by the truck load. You root for his characters at a base level because he is so damned likable!
I want to thank you because your Cary Grant review led me to watch this movie again and to watch this review for the first time. This is the perfect movie for these times because it is just pure entertainment. Not a lot makes sense, but it's a great movie. Probably my favorite Grant and my favorite Hitch movie. Cary Grant, of course, carries the movie with his charm and abundant humor - even when his life is being threatened. And he looks great in the same grey suit almost the entire picture. There are so many great scenes like the crop dusting scene, which is probably the most talked about. Most action movies today are hit the viewer with visuals - hit them fast and hard. But this scene is allowed to breathe. There are shots of flat, open land and cars just driving by. Sure, there are easier ways to kill somebody, but none more suspenseful and fun for the viewer. The auction scene is also great. Besides his funny exit, I really like Eva Marie Saint's performance because she is just sitting there with emotion building up and you can see tears in her eyes. It's 2 hours and 15 minutes of pure fun that fly by. Couldn't recommend this movie enough.
Great review of a great movie! I totally agree that Cary Grant was easily the best choice to play the lead.
'Suspicion' is another great Hitchcock film with Cary Grant
The whole inspiration for this film was based on this one idea by Hitchcock: A man stands at a crossroads in the middle of nowhere with nothing around for miles. He looks to the left. Nothing. Looks to the right. Nothing. A car drives by, but just drives by. Nothing happens. The man stands waiting. The something finally happens. The master of suspense.
It is a testament to the craft and artistry of Hitchcock that one of the most iconic and gripping sequences in film is also one of the most ridiculous. People rarely question it, but the Crop Duster Scene is straight out of the Dr. Evil playbook. I saw NBNW in the theater when it was first released. The kid in me still watches it every few years. One of the Master's best.
The crop-duster scene is bloody amazing. I very much like the flipping the matchbook scene - it clenches everything clinchable.
Thanks so much for all your reviews! They have been a nice companion for a while, and especially in the last two bonkers years.
I'm so glad you've found them a good source of entertainment and distraction! :)
James Mason and Martin Landeau❤️. And the chemistry between Eva and Cary is 🔥. And THANK YOU for shouting out Leo G. Carroll🙏🏼
Clare Greet also appeared in six films directed (plus one produced) by Alfred Hitchcock. The films directed by Hitchcock were: The Ring (1927), The Manxman (1929), Murder! (1930), The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), Sabotage (1936), Jamaica Inn (1939). The film produced by Hitchcock was Number 13 (1922)
John Williams appeared in three films directed by Alfred Hitchcock and eight episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The films were: The Paradine Case (1947), Dial M for Murder (1954) and To Catch a Thief (1955). The episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents were: The Long Shot (1955), Back for Christmas (1956), Whodunit (1956), Wet Saturday (1956), The Rose Garden (1956), I Killed the Count (1957), The Three Dreams of Mr.Findlater (1957), and Banquo’s Chair (1959).
But the individual who appeared in by far the most films directed by Alfred Hitchcock was............. Alfred Hitchcock who appeared in 39 films directed by Alfred Hitchcock!
Interesting! I didn't know about Clare Greet. Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome. I very much enjoy your enthusiastic, intelligent, well informed and highly articulate reviews! :-)
One of my favorite films of ALL TIME! Excellent review Jerome!
This is one of my favorite Hitchcock "color" films. Every time I see this it always makes me want to take a train ride.
Having watched your Star Trek reviews, did you notice the actor that played Licht (Robert Ellenstein) is also the "President of the United Federation of Planets" in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home?
Cary Grant has been (and always will be) my definition of "how a man should dress". He's extremely underrated as an actor, in my opinion. He was also the 1st choice to play James Bond, before they cast Sean Connery (James Mason was their 2nd choice).
Another great review.
I can't remember if it was last year or the year before but Turner Classic movies was actual screening the movie around a ton of amc theaters around the country and it made it to the newly built amc theater in my town it was so cool
The precursor to every James Bond film.
North By Northwest is Hitchcock's best "Man on the run from the law" movies alongside The 39 Steps. Cary Grant regardless of his age was right for this role and very much carries the movie and has great chemistry with Eva Marie Saint. Excellent review!
I comletely agree and I'll add; if you enjoyed NBNW and you havn't seen The 39 Steps, I highly recommend it. It's Hitchcock's other wrong man on a train with a beautiful woman who might be good, might not be so good. Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll have a 1930's wit and chemestry that was slick then, just as NBNW had clever, quick 1950's dialogue. It's a lot of fun.
Has anyone ever noticed the blooper at Mt. Rushmore?
I'll review the soundtrack if you like. That's one of Bernard Hermann's greatest scores and it's perfect for the movie. The theme is a Fandango, brisk, and flying; fitting for RoT in his cross country flight from everyone. Listen as Roger enters the Plaza Hotel; the song playing on the hotel speakers is "It's a Most Unusual Day" by Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson; ironic don't you think? Later, in the one slow scene as Roger and Eve fall in love, the music slows to an intimate crawl while flutes and oboes carry a haunting and romantic theme. As the pace picks back up and we get to the iconic crop-duster, Hitchcock and Hermann made a brilliant decision that helped make the scene unforgettably surrealistic and dream-like. The scene has no music at all; nothing but the vast silence of the spreading corn fields until a literal explosion brings the music back with incredible force. Finally, it's the Rushmore scenes. As we see Roger and Eve atop Mt. Rushmore thinking they are facing certain death, we are hit with a wall of terrifying horns, like majestic and eminent doom. Hermann was a giant of a film composer and a pioneer of suspense and horror movie music. In all he scored seven Hitchcock films and, of course, one would become one of the most well-known pieces of music in film history. Bernard Hermann was brilliant and the score for NBNW will leave you dizzy like the plot.
Super movie, I think Bernard Herrman's music is superb, I've bought quite a few of his film scores! 🙂
Favorite exchange:
GRANT - apparently the only role that will satisfy you is when I play dead.
MASON - your very next role and you'll be quite convincing I assure you.
One of my favorite Hitchcock movies and one of my favorite Hitchcock leading ladies. Eve Kendall is right up there with Alicia Huberman and Frances Stevens.
I am surprised you're not a James Mason fan. Along with the distinctive voice, he plays heroes and villains equally well. A movie of his I'm sure you've seen, and most likely like, played on one of the local UHF stations when I was a kid fairly regularly. Journey to the Center of the Earth. Just imagine my surprise when we finally got a color TV when I was about 8 or 9. 🙂
Leo G. Carroll is wonderful in this, and always fun to see in a Hitchcock film. Another regular not in this one, who is another favorite of mine is John Williams. 3 movies and countless AH Presents roles, perhaps as many as 10.
Another excellent review Weisie. It had to be a challenge to avoid giving spoilers. It's a movie that only begins to make sense when all the pieces are in place. And Hitch masterfully releases those pieces a little at a time, pulling the viewer further in with each little nugget. It's an amazing ride. His man on the run movies are so much fun.
I am a James Mason fan, going all the way back to 20000 Leagues Under the Sea
If pressed to pick my favorite Hitchcock movie I guess North by Northwest would have to be it. Why? You just covered that well. I 1st saw it as a kid and like you I wasn't quite getting it all but I knew it was good. Even as a 6 or 7 year old I knew I liked Cary Grant. The personification of a movie star. Great cast good story that just keeps you fully engaged from the very beginning to the dramatic end. Very good movie.
I can't get enough of this film. The pacing. The visuals. He's always been great at framing his shots. And this film excels at this.
I would bet that if someone put a pen and paper in front of me that I could write the entire script from memory. I know the film that well.
Thanks for posting! If you haven't seen it before, you might enjoy what was once called "The greatest film Hitchcock never made," Witness For The Prosecution from 1957, directed by Billy Wilder. Super-surprise ending.
The late Les Tremayne plays the auctioneer. He loved doing this film. He told me that it took maybe a week to shoot this very short scene. "Will the gentleman please cooperate with the spirit of the proceedings?" Good line.
The brilliant auction scene is one of the finest in cinema history...
Jerome, you are articulate, insightful and fun to watch. As someone who wrote movie reviews for print, I'm also impressed by your presentation and editing abilities - it's a lot of work!
But my oh my, how can you not like James Mason? As you say, his Vandamm is probably the smoothest villain in the Hitchcock canon. He's perfectly oily as the spy in Five Fingers, likeable in the "monster" hit Journey of the Centre of the Earth - and a solid presence in everything from The Verdict to The Blue Max and even Cross of Iron. Finally, he seemed like a nice guy as I recall Lynn Redgrave praising all his support when she debuted in Georgy Girl. Ah, to each his own. Oh, and congrats for getting through this entire review without using the term "McGuffin"!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos and my presentation style!
Ah yes, my James Mason comment, the part of this video that has ruffled a few feathers! Since I filmed this, I've seen some of his earlier films and really enjoyed them (and him in them). I especially liked Hotel Reserve (1944) and Cry Terror! (1958, which, okay, is just one year before North By Northwest). I discussed both in my "what else I saw" series, if you're interested in hearing more of my thoughts on those. These experiences did a lot to redeem Mason in my eyes, though I still feel he ended up playing some awfully distasteful, creepy guys!
@@JeromeWeiselberry glad to hear it - and I know you're too clever to dislike the actor for the unsavory roles he plays.
This reminds me of Fred McMurray. He played heels in Double Indemnity and the Caine Mutiny but also had nicer roles, like the TV dad in My Three Sons. As that show launched he also appeared as the heel of heels in The Apartment. After that Best Picture was released - an angry mom accosted McMurray (in Disneyland?) for playing such a cad. It really shook him. He only played "safe" roles afterwards - mainly lightweight Disney comedies. He was well off but it was a sad end for the man who committed murder for Barbara Stanwyck's ankle bracelet.
I'm getting redundant, lol! Another great review!)!
I think one of the things that makes NBNW such a great movie is that it is so surreal: the waiting for the bus, and Rushmore scenes are witty and absurd.
And what do you mean you aren't a James Mason fan? Bigger than Life, A Star is Born, Odd Man Out, The Seventh Veil, The Man in Grey. Binge on those Weiselberry.
It's ok not to get on with an actor. Heck I've never liked Meryl Streep except in Deer Hunter. But I do like James Mason a lot, and amongst the many aspects I appreciate is that even when playing broadly sympathetic roles there is often something about the character that doesn't sit quite right. He carries an air of unease around with him that might at any moment reveal itself as something unpleasant - witty or charming but still unsettling or worse
Very informative review
This film is stellar! It's my favorite Hitchcock film. The score by Bernard Herrmann is superb and memorable.
As one who is quite deliberate in his grooming and attire, I thank you for giving special note to one of the most memorable supporting characters of this Cary Grant movie, the Kilgour suit.
But you ARE a film scholar! A fine one.
Aw, haha, thank you. :)
Favorite exchage, "Tell me, what makes a girl like you a girl like you?", "Lucky, I guess", "No not lucky; naughty, wicked, up to no-good. Ever kill anyone.... ?".
I didn't like this movie (as blasphemous as it sounds) the first time, but it has warmed on me and I seem to like it better. I appreciate Hitchcock quite a bit. Anyhow, loved your thoughts on this. Thanks!
Well, not only you but with the Coen brothers too. Check out the Big Lebowski to see the secret the Dude finds at Jackie Treehorn's house!
You did a great job of reviewing this film without spoilers! Cary Grant has a glamorous James Bond quality; Jimmy Stewart wouldn't have been believable as Eva Marie Saint's love interest lol
If anything Jimmy Stewart would have been perfect playing the guy who was waiting for the bus on that deserted stretch of highway lol
"You men aren't REALLY trying to kill my son, are you?"
This is my favorite Hitchcock film. A perfect blend of action, suspense, humor, and romance. Perfectly cast from top to bottom and brilliantly scored by Bernard Herrmann. Much as I enjoy the vast majority of Hitchcock's movies, I do wish he'd taken this light touch approach in a few more of them.
Are you planning to review the Master's entire body of work? I ask because so few people seem to be aware that Hitchcock directed a screwball comedy with the queen of the genre, Carole Lombard, entitled Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
I have been focusing on the suspense films in my review series and will probably continue to do so, but I'm sure I'll discuss other ones eventually. No telling when that may be, though, since I'm going at kind of a snail's pace. (I did see Mr. and Mrs. Smith years ago, as well as a couple other non-thrillers of his.)
For me, it's the last great Hitchcock's movie. This production has a wonderful cast (in addition to Cary Grant, great performances of Eva Marie Saint and Martin Landau); an interesting screenplay (showing a kind of pre-James Bond film); and a very good cinematography. And, until then, the dangers and thereats were only suggested, not explicit. I say this because, from the next Hitchcock's movie ("Psycho"), this director began to be more explicit in their films, using more horror than thriller. And this fact , in my opinion, it was not so good to the Hitchcock productions. I'm not saying that, after "North By Northwest", didn't have good films in his catalogue. But, in my opiniom, the quality was not in the same level again.
You are my superhero - Captain Ray-Aeromexico
A puzzling line spoken by Martin Landau “Call it my woman’s intuition, if you will,” says Leonard. “but I’ve never truested neatness. Neatness is always a result of deliberate planning.”
(Leonard is Landau's character name.)
Nowadays you don't see a flamboyant villain like Van Damme at the movies 😉
Yeah. When I was a boy I used to think The Man From Uncle TV Series was very serious and sophisticated.
Jimmy Stewart could not have pulled off this role but I think Gregory Peck could have, just not as well as Grant. But the scene that sticks with me more than any other is the dining car scene. The chemistry between Grant and Saint is palpable.
Like the others have said, great review. A couple of fun facts: In the cafeteria scene where Eve "shoots" Thorhill, a kid in the background covers his ears right before the shot. And secondly, during the breakfast table scene on the train some of Eve's lines had to be dubbed over because the censors didn't like the original lines as they were too risque.
The only Hitchcock movie I really like.
One of my all time favorites. Might be my favorite Hitchcock, but Rear Window is equally good. This is probably the most fun and exciting of all the Hitchcock movies. I don't think many people would regard Psycho as a jolly watch. I had heard in addition to Jimmy Stewart and Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and William Holden were also considered. Cary Grant was definitely the best choice for the role. I'm surprised to hear your not a fan of James Mason. He made an excellent Watson opposite Christopher Plummer as Holmes.
I did see two new-to-me James Mason movies this year: Hotel Reserve and Cry Terror! I enjoyed them, and his performances in them, very much.
I haven't seen either of those! Will have to check them out. I find Mason's voice to be very calming and usually I find he gives good performances.
There is one scene that spoiled it for me a little and that was when Grant pulled the knife out of the man's back which is something no one in their right mind would do.
Another observation, which was rather absurd, was when the thugs poured whiskey into him which would have made even the most hardened boozer throw up, or even kill him.
Nevertheless it is my favourite Hitchcock movie.
I know! Never, ever touch a murder weapon.
The reason he pulled the knife out of the guys back was because he didn't do it. It was a WTF??? moment.
"Someone ...who has appeared in more Hitchcock movies than any other actor." How about Alfred Hitchcock?
You mention Saul Bass. Did I tell you about the time I threw an entire garbage can full of, uh, garbage, at him? Film making makes for some pretty weird happenings, along with the movies themselves.
No, you've never mentioned that! On purpose?!
@@JeromeWeiselberry No. I'll explain elsewhere.
Jerome, People who have watched the film and take a train ride hope to meet a mysterious woman on the train. A little Hitchcock humour the porter is only a short man his uniform would'nt fit Cary Grant. Cheers, Chris Perry.
Very good review and brilliant regarding that this movie was like a precursor to the James Bond movies.
I’m 62 now and your age does matter in watching this movie. I’ve seen it probably a half dozen times, and when I was younger, I just kicked back and enjoyed it, however, like you said, I don’t care for James Mason because his voice is disturbing and too distracting.
At age 62, I’ve noticed after I watched it again on TCM last night that in the beginning I find Cary Grant hammy and overacting. He also seems to be playing his part like he used to in his movies with Katherine Hepburn: a sort of frolicking comedy and too silly. As North by Northwest progresses he seems to tone it down and becomes more focused and serious.
When I was younger, like 28 or so, I found the plot too choppy and even now I think that is still true.
Otherwise a great show with a lot of Americana in it (New York, Mount Rushmore, passenger trains, etc.).
If you get a chance to watch the movie, check out the young child extra in blue sitting in the restaurant just before Eva Marie Saint shoots Cary Grant. I'm assuming he was tired of hearing the gunshots retake after retake. I work background and I could definitely understand!! I'm surprised Hitchcock left that in, he must have noticed it, but then he WAS known to have a sense of humor. czcams.com/video/L7YVcnBbeeI/video.html
I'm supposed to be writing right now, but, like many who write there are a lot of those "ok, what do I want to say next?" moments (that become minutes) and one has to stop. For a bit. And this is another one of those "check out YT" minutes-moments. I am on same page re NxNW. I much prefer it to VERTIGO, which, of course, seems to be on everyone's "all-time" lists. The only thing I might comment on is related to James Mason. A little surprised you are not a "fan", as you say. But what and/or who strikes a chord is such a personal thing. Mason to me is right at the top of the list of what a think of as "magical" performers who convey some quality that is just "above and beyond" is some way (Claude Rains is there along with many others of those earlier eras, as well as contemporary actors like Geoffrey Rush, Charlize Theron, Sigourney Weaver...I'd better stop there because this is a tangent. Again.) Wonder if you've seen the Disney version of 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA? Mason, as they say, owns the part of Captain Nemo. Wonder if you've talked about that film or, if not, plan to do so at some point?
Oh dear, I dislike those moments. But I'm happy if my videos can provide a momentary distraction. :) I haven't seen that version of 20,000 Leagues but I've had a few people tell me that it's very good, so it's on my list of things to see.
@@JeromeWeiselberry Not that budget per se is the point, but Disney did give the Jules Verne undersea epic everything it deserved. It was the biggest-budgeted science fiction films done until 2001/PLANET OF THE APES in '68, a fact rather remarkable in itself since---generally speaking----studios gave SF projects short shrift for decades.
I luv James Mason's sexy voice.
One bit you got wrong : Jessie Royce Landis and Cary Grant were born only a few months apart -no 10 year age difference there!
Hm, I don't think that's quite right. According to the birthdates I found, Cary Grant was born on January 18, 1904, and Jessie Royce Landis was born on November 25, 1896.
@@JeromeWeiselberry I’ve read a few Hitchcock biographies ( admittedly quite a while ago ) and they often said that the notorious part of this was that Landis and Grant were born in the same year. So this stuck in my mind. I just checked in Quinlan’s Character Stars and that says Landis was born in 1904 as well. I’ve also found 1904 on several websites when double checking Landis date of birth ! AND guess what : I’m currently watching a documentary about N by NW HOSTED BY EVA MARIE SAINT and she says “Cary was only a year younger than Jessie Royce Landis”. Was Eva Marie Saint misinformed?!
Seems to be some revisionism here ! All the Hitch books I read in 1980s/1990s said those two actors were born in the same year 1904, but yes I can see a few websites now listing 1896 for Landis.
Watching the film again last night, to me Landis does look more 55 than somewhere in her 60s.
I’m not sure which source to believe now! Half the sources say 1896, the other half 1904, and the Hitch books I read last century always made a point of saying 1904 for both actors
That is strange, and I don't know what to tell you. I will say this, though: the first time she got married was reportedly in 1915 to Lester Perry Landis. If that's the case, she couldn't have been born in 1904.
I'll also add that her Wikipedia page does address the issue: "In the 1950s, she began appearing in movies as a character actress, such as her roles in To Catch a Thief (1955), and North by Northwest (1959), both starring Cary Grant and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. In North by Northwest she played Grant's character's mother, and in To Catch a Thief and The Swan (1956), she played the mother of characters played by Grace Kelly. Landis's appearance in North by Northwest earned her publicity for portraying Cary Grant's mother despite claiming to be nearly a year younger. Landis listed 1904 as the year of her birth. However, she had actually shaved eight years off her age. She appears in the 1900 U.S. Census as a 3-year-old born in November 1896; not old enough to be his (biological) mother."
@@JeromeWeiselberry Well, I’m 57 and if 63 year old women today look as age-defyingly good as Landis did in “North by Northwest”, I may go chasing a few gals in their 60s ! I wouldn’t have turned down Jessie if given the opportunity in 1959 ! Apart from Cary Grant, ( who always looked fantastic for his age) back then most actors tended to look their age, especially if they weren’t major stars. Hats off to glamorous Jessie !
How about reviewing THE BIRDS?
Great movie.