NORTH BY NORTHWEST

My second in the 100 film challenge is Alfred Hitchcock's, North by Northwest.

This film sets the standard for the smart, sassy, spy thriller.
Set in a highly stylised era of crisp suits, classy bars, breathtaking fashion, the martini crowd, whistling and wooing their way through a fast talking new age.

He, devastatingly handsome, she, hopelessly attractive, they meet on a 20th Century Limited train headed who knows where, who knows when.
All we do know thus far is that Cary Grant must escape a couple henchmen who mistake him for a Government agent by the name of Kaplan.
It feels about as cliche an introduction as any thriller you're likely to have seen, however, I have to keep reminding myself that this is an experimental format for the time. This is 1959, Hitchcock is inventing a genre, the very cool, spy escapade. We're talking years before the greatest Bond Films, decades before cop shows, award winning spy novels and so on.

It only helps that Cary Grant is painfully charming, it's hard to believe no one has sued George Clooney for performance plagiarism, were there such a thing. It was like hearing the original version of your favourite song, the one you never knew existed, you know that feeling, simultaneously disappointing as is intriguing. Clooney has borrowed every twitch, twinkle and mannerism he could hope to replicate from Grant.
Eva Marie Saint sets the standard for cool, icy blondes to date.
They sure don't make em like they used to.

When Grant recognises what danger he's gotten himself into, he sets out on a grand adventure of sorts. Racing automobiles, skipping trains, dodging planes, tracing footsteps, picking hotel locks, you get the drift. It's a magnificent journey to be on, the performances are entertaining and the story is seamless.
I keep thinking of Madmen the entire film, (and please tell me whoever you are, that you've at least seen the complete first series!?) you have the slick advertising exec and the perfect blonde, I'm certain the honcho's at Madmen turned to North by Northwest for some very specific inspiration. Look no further than Donald and Betty Draper........

Again, I don't wish to give away too much, but there is the inevitable climax, gun shots, cliffs hanging, a heroine in danger of her life and a small plane which may or may not take off into the night sky.
Nominated for 3 oscars at the time and countless other film awards, there is a perfectly good reason why North by Northwest stands the test of time. It's crafty, humorous, brilliant and all the while hopelessly good entertainment!