MovieChat Forums > The 39 Steps (1935) Discussion > How old are you?

How old are you?

posted 16 years ago by fluffyudders
50 replies | jump to latest

I was just wondering after a discussion with a friend what is the average age of people who have seen and like this film? I'm 24 and like this film, but must admit I found it harder to get into than other Hitchcock films, I'm not sure if it was the age or not... I've seen Notorious and Strangers on a Train and had no problem with those. I just wondered if the people on this board who like this film are made up of silver surfers or younger people like me who can appreciate a good movie regardless of age?

[–] ladynarana 16 years ago

Well, I'm currently 36, but I fell in love with this movie when I was in my mid-twenties or so. I've loved this movie since the first time I saw it, but I can understand why you might find it tough to get into. Try "The Lady Vanishes." That's my fave Hitchcock of all time - but it moves something like this one does. A little slowly, more psychological and understated than most.

[–] ranier 16 years ago

A collegiate Hitchcock festival in 1972 was the venue where I first saw The 39 Steps AND The Lady Vanishes. They have been favorites ever since. One question I have is how to explain Hannay's costume changes while on the lam. The 1935 helicopter used in the Scottish search is a piece of aviation history.
The scene where Hannay joins a parade to escape his pursuers was copied in The Fugitive.

[–] Maureen5 12 years ago

I found it strange when Hannah was on the moors and the helicopter was searching for him, how the film speeded up. And also when the cops were running trying to find him, it was like watching Charlie Chaplin film. It's only this part that seems to be speeded up, the rest in normal.

[–] jd-276 8 years ago

There was a James Bond film which had a very similar scene in it. Dr No? From Russia With Love? I can't remember but it's one of the early Connerys.

[–] Cult_of_Kibner 7 years ago

Being chased by a helicopter? From Russia with Love.

[–] ranier 16 years ago

Today The 39 Steps received a nomination as Best Play for the 2008 Tony Awards.

[–] FridayOnElmStreet 10 years ago

Im 25 and I liked this film.

[–] ImOkayLarry 16 years ago

Im 18 and i love Hitchcock. I've seen at least 20 of his films, probably a few more than that but i admit that it was'nt one of my favourite. I prefer the more suspenseful films to the likes of this and notorious, but they are still very watchable and good films overall. Without a doubt my favouite is Psycho, and i also loved (off the top of my head) Vertigo, The Lady Vanishes, Strangers on a Train, North by Northwest, The Birds and many others. However, i do have a media teacher in his late twenties who ranks Notorious and 39 steps amoung his favourites so i guess its a matter of taste!

[–] dottie70438 14 years ago

Wasn't Robert Donat the star of this show?

[–] smrhyne-1 16 years ago

I am 56 years old and have seen nearly all of Hitchcock's film. I saw "The 39 Steps" years ago and hadn't seen it again until a few weeks ago. I had forgotten how good it is.

[–] agera 16 years ago

You write: "I just wondered if the people on this board who like this film are made up of silver surfers or younger people like me who can appreciate a good movie regardless of age?"

I just wonder why you make a distinction between "silver surfers" and those who can appreciate a good movie regardless of age.

Do you think the ability to appreciate value is a quality that disappears as one ages? Or do you think that the current "silver surfers" were a particularly unappreciative bunch of film buffs and that your generation will maintain its ability to appreciate good movies as it ages?

[–] fluffyudders 16 years ago

That's so backwards it made my head hurt. I'm actually saying that all silver surfers, generally, can appreciate a good movie regardless of age because old films are from their generation. They lived through the golden age of cinema, when a film didn't need explosions and cursing to be any good (as some of today's generation sadly believe). Many younger people don't have the inclination to watch an older movie such as The 39 Steps. In fact I know some people who refuse to watch a film if it's in black and white, sad but true. See, the question was just to ask who here was a silver-surfer (who can automatically appreciate an old film) or younger people like myself. The distinction is that many YOUNGER people can't appreciate a good film... I keep trying to work out how you got it backwards from what you quoted.

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

[–] madali0 12 years ago

"because old films are from their generation. "

This film is from the 30s. If a person was in their teens when they saw this when it was released, they should be more 90 years old now. How many 90 year old IMDB posters do you think are in this forum?

[–] Maureen5 12 years ago

Well, actually, I also saw it as a direct aim at older folk? This is why I said earlier that I love all the old B&W films.

However, I do see what you were trying to get at :-D

[–] sandownchloe 16 years ago

I'm 14 and I love it! I think Robert Donat is cute too!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] hohi101 16 years ago

I'm 16 and I've been watching Hitchcck movies since I was roughly about 13 ...
I Love them so much , well really I love most old movies .

Sweeney Todd the demon barber of MY street Bleeder pride

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] mikeh687 16 years ago

I'm 13 and I just started watching Hitchcock's films this summer, and the guy might be my favorite director. Anyway, I just watched this today and I loved it.

[–] benhww 16 years ago

I'm 16 and think this film is excellent.

http://ben-04.dvdaf.com/owned

[–] phoeniceus 16 years ago

I'm 37 and i just saw this for the first time and I loved it. I admit that when i was younger I was more into some of Hitchcock's more well known films like Psycho, Rear Window, The Birds and North By Northwest. Seeing an earlier made film like 39 steps made me appreciate Hitchcock's ability to refine his talents in those later films. I think 39 steps is wonderful and I couldn't help but comparing Robert Donat in appearance, and some mannerisms, to David Niven or David Tomlinson. The humor in the film was great as well as the suspenseful scenes, many of which turned out differently than what i could guess would happen.

[–] kairingler 16 years ago

well i'm 38 and liked it.. yeah it's different than some of his more famous works,, but good nonetheless.

are you going to bark all day little doggie,, or are you going to bite