This movie was very smooth and light in that it showed a way of life in a less weighty approach unlike many dark, coarse, or ominous-looking films of this nature. That being a way of life we don’t know (I don’t suppose) except in the movies. I, for one, would find it difficult believe people live and work that way were it not for a brief observation I made as a teenage. My boyfriend and I drove down a street past a very large mansion. Cars stopped in front of the mansion and the drivers got out and entered parked cars and drove away while a few people rushed out of the house and entered the drivers’ cars and drove off, then a couple of others simply switched cars. It was all very bizarre to a couple of teenagers.

As usual Cary Grant (one of my favorites) was his charming, witty self. He has the kind of charisma that makes you wish you knew someone like him. Eva Marie Saint’s character was a smart cookie. I liked the train ride scenes, and how she manipulated him so well. It was deception of course, but it took a few minutes before I began to suspect her.

I liked the movie mostly because it’s just good entertainment that doesn’t make you feel two marbles short or one apple pie too many. I often wonder why these days, we can’t simply be entertained without someone having a point to prove. Watching the Topper films, the Humphrey Bogart films, and so many others make me feel I was born too late. Nostalgic I guess.

What did you think of North By Northwest? What did you like about the movie? What did you dislike?

Please forgive the belated hour of opening this discussion. I didn't get to bed last night (Sunday night) and still haven't slept from being pretty busy. Hope everyone had a fun Valentine's Day.

Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint off into the the sunset, or at least back to New York. Such famous actors; it was neat to watch their pluses and minuses.

And who was that man getting on the bus? Hum?

And Cary Grant throws left handed and writes with his right hand.

Thanks bestlawn, we needed an oldie in the mix.

It's too early in the morning for my brain to work at its full capacity but I know there are some famous, very witty, lines in the movie. It has also been a while since I've seen it. I was hoping to watch it again for the discussion but haven't got around to do that. I particuarly remember when Eva Maria Saint says "I'm a big girl now" and Cary Grant responds, "Yes, and in all the right places."

One of my favorite characters is Cary Grant's mother, who is played by the delightful Jessie Royce Landis. I can't remember her exact line but I love it when she's talking to Cary Grant about "being locked up in a bathroom."

And James Mason's character is gay and it is done very subtly. WHat is his line there towards the end that is SO gay? Gosh, I can't remember.

Another favorite part is the famous goof where the little boy put his fingers in his ears before the gun shot!

The intrigue and suspense was fast-paced and the plot was quite convoluted. I don't think it's as great as Vertigo or Rear Window (those had, I think, tighter scripts), but it's up there. And the camera work was quite good -- especially the shots on Mount Rushmore and the crop duster sequence.

Lehman also was commenting on how this was really the predessor to the James Bond movies.

Loved the humor, when Cary comes through the window into the woman's hospital room, and she says STOP!, ..then stop (please) ha

I thought that house near the monument was fantastic.

I can't think of anything I disliked!

Oooh! That house. If I remember correctly: it is(was?) an actual house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, but it's not in quite as spectacular a setting -- dramatic and beautiful though the real setting is.

I read somewhere that Jessie Royce Landis, who played Grant's mother, was actually slightly younger than him. No matter if it was pushing things a bit, I agree with Phillip that she's a delight.

The James Mason character: Phillip, I don't think I ever truly noticed that Vandamm was supposed to be gay. Yeah, it was subtle, but you're right: it's there.

Eva Marie Saint is the quintessential "ice" blonde that Hitchcock so famously favored. In many ways, I think she could outdo the "ice" of Kelly, Novak, and Hedren. I'm trying to think of the others -- when did Hitchcock's fixation really begin? Was it with Bergman?

This is not my favorite Hitchcock film -- "Rear Window" is and I probably like a couple of others better -- but "North by Northwest" is right up there for me.

Frieda, the cinematographic is fantastic as you say. I'm glad you point that out. Another reason I think film making was better back then. It was so real. You saw what you needed to see for the purpose of affect and impact.

My favorite Hitchcock film is "Rebecca," but this one is right there, too.

M. Night Shymalan (sp) borrows from Hitchcock, in at least once instance. In Signs, the alien is viewed as a reflection on the TV screen. In NBN the maid see's Grant's reflection walking the balcony on the a TV screen also.

I always liked Grant's dry tongue-n-cheek humor. In NBN there are a few chucklers, like when he yells out that the guy should not shoot him because he has a wife, a couple of mistresses and some bartenders who depend on him so he didn't want to get 'slightly killed'!

I also thought Grant and EM Saint had wonderful chemistry.
"Shall I come up there (in the upper berth) and show you why?" murmurs EMS in their train compartment. Smo-kin!

I also remember reading somewhere that Hitchcock, in doing The Birds, was so infatuated with Tippy Hedren that he would push her to do scenes over and over until she collapsed from exhaustion (you call that love? hmmm...) Now that movie was made in the early sixties, if my memory serves me, and the other movies are earlier, so I guess he was 'fixated' way before Hedren, Frieda. As for who played the 'ice' blonde the best, I thought Kim Novak always looked like she was on the verge of either spilling the beans or attacking someone in some psychotic repressed rage! lol

Kim Novak always looked like she was on the verge of either spilling the beans or attacking someone in some psychotic repressed rage!

Heh! Clairabelle, you're right!

Well, now I'm confused. Phillip, you had me thinking Vandamm when you meant Leonard. Leonard is more obvious, but was Vandamm just excessively sauve? Or is it Mason's British accent, or am I trying to detect something that isn't there?

Also, am I the only one who was fooled at the end by thinking she was still hanging from the cliff?

I loved the story -- what would you do in this guy's situation of mistaken identity? He handled himself better than I would and was a quick thinker.

I appreciated the steamy scenes and innuendoes in this movie, which I find much more intriguing than modern films where everything is blatantly shown.

Cary Grant was such an attractive fellow and looked particularly sharp in that beautiful grey suit. Eva Marie Saint was a great match for him in the love scenes, with a very expressive face, voice and body language. (Her clothes were beautiful too.)

After Martin Landau credits his female intuition for figuring out what Eva is up to, James Mason accuses him of being jealous. I noticed the vibes between the two and am sure that was intentional.

I want that house in S. Dakota -- fabulous!

That scene in the open field with the crop duster is fabulous -- yes, I did cringe and feel like I needed to duck.

I'm afraid of heights, but kept reminding myself that the scenes on Mt. Rushmore were not real (It's only a movie, it's only a movie ...)

Bestlawn, yes I did think the shooting was real, but thought what actually happened was very clever.

And ... how the heck did Eva get off that cliff in one piece? I know, Carey stripped off his shirt, showing his manly chest, and dangled the shirt down to Eva. She was able to reach it, grab on tight and he hauled her up onto the ledge. (I made that up, but it could work ... don't you think?)

Hear hear Petaloid - it is always so more interesting when things are left to the imagination. I don't need to see what anyone does behind closed doors. The conversations, body language, hints, leading up to that point are titilating enough, going into actual 'nekkid' stuff is embarassing to this old fashioned viewer.

I think today's younger set probably don't appreciate Hitchcock, or Shymalan's imitations of him in his own way... I think he's a creative guy.

Your comment on Eva Marie Saint's wardrobe made me remember Ernest Lehman's comments on the DVD. Hitch was not happy with ANYTHING the wardrobe people presented to him. He finally just took her with him on a shopping trip in NYC, and found what he wanted, and I believe they were on the rack.

Like I commented earlier, NBN was the precurser to the James Bond films, only more relatable to the common man and women. You could actually see yourself getting mixed up with a case of mistaken identity, especially nowadays!

Petaloid, that was observant of you. Mason's remark flew past me in that respect. I just thought of "jealous" in general terms. Yikes! Never realized Hitchcock was quite that daring.

Yes, her wardrobe was great. I especially liked the evening dress she wore when he went to her hotel room.

Don't know why, but kept wondering what his dinner companions must have thought when he never returned.

Guys, I was so tickled to find that graphic. Had to find somewhere to use it, LOL. The clue game has been moving right along lately.