Ladies and gentlemen, with your kind attention, and permission,...
..I have the honour of presenting to you...
..one of the most remarkable men in the world.
(man) How remarkable? He's sweating!
(laughter)
Can you be surprised at that, gentlemen?
Every day he commits to memory 50 new facts...
..and remembers every one of them! Facts from history, from geography,...
..from newspapers, from scientific books. Millions and millions of them!
Think of the strain involved by his prodigious feat!
(woman) His feet ain't half as big as yours, cully!
- I'm referring to his feats of memory! - (woman) Oh!
Test him, please! Ladies and gentlemen, ask him your questions,...
..and he will answer you fully and freely. Mr Memory!
(fanfare)
I also add, ladies and gentlemen, before retiring,...
..that Mr Memory has left his brain to the British Museum!
Hurray!
(applause)
A question, please. Ladies first.
Where's my old man been since last Saturday?
- On the booze! - Out with his bit!
(laughter)
A serious question, please!
What won the Derby in 1921?
Mr Jack Joel's Humorist. Won by a length. Odds 6-1.
Second and third: Craig-an-Eran and Lemonora. Am I right, sir?
Right!
(man) What won in 1936?
You come back in 1937 and I'll tell you, sir!
How far is Winnipeg from Montreal?
What won the Cup in 1926?
(Memory) Cup? Waterloo, football, or tea, sir?
Football, silly!
(man) When did Chelsea win it?
(Memory) 63BC, in the presence of the Emperor Nero!
What causes pip in poultry?
- Sh! Don't make yourself so common! - Well, our fowls have got it, haven't they?
How many races did Mick the Miller win?
- How old is Mae West? - When was Crippen hanged?
Who was the last British heavyweight champion?
Henry Vlll!
My old woman!
(laughter)
Bob Fitzsimmons defeated Jim Corbett, heavyweight champion of America,...
..at Carson City, Nevada, in October 1897. He was 34 years of age.
Am I right, sir?
- How old is Mae West? - I know, sir, but I never tell a lady's age!
(laughter)
Next, please.
What causes pip in poultry?
How far is Winnipeg from Montreal?
- Miss Winnie who, sir? - How far is Winnipeg from Montreal?
Ah! A gentleman from Canada. You're welcome, sir.
Winnipeg: third city of Canada, and capital of the province of Manitoba.
Distance from Montreal: 1,424 miles.
- Am I right, sir? - Quite right.
- Next, please. - How old is Mae West!
How old's Mae West!
(audience shouting)
How old's Mae West!
Here, you!
How old's Mae West?!
Gentlemen, gentlemen! Please! You're not at home!
Hey! You!
What causes pip...
What...
(gunshot)
(screaming)
Play! For God's sake, play something, man!
(band strikes up)
Well, here we are.
(foreign accent) May I come home with you?
What's the idea?
Well, I like to...
Well, it's your funeral.
Come on, then, there's a bus.
You don't stay here always?
No, I've taken a furnished flat. I'm only here from Canada for a few months.
By the way, am I allowed to know your name?
Smith?
All right.
Do you want to know more about me? What do you think I do for a living?
- Actress? - Not in the way you mean.
- Chorus? - No!
I am a freelance.
Life of adventure, eh?
You'll find my sitting room all upset.
I've had decorators in.
- Wait till I find the switch. - Not yet.
Now.
Mr Hannay, would you be so kind and turn that mirror with its face to the wall?
You'd be happier if there were curtains over those windows.
(telephone)
Hallo, there's the telephone. Just a minute.
Mr Hannay, don't answer the telephone.
- Why not? - Because I think it's for me.
Please don't answer!
Just as you say.
- Won't you sit down? - (telephone stops)
If you would please kick that footstool over to me?
- You needed that. - I did.
Thank you.
- I owe you an explanation. - Don't bother about me.
I'm nobody.
We cannot talk here.
All right.
Just a minute.
- Okay? - Mm-hm.
- Cigarette? - No, thank you.
(telephone)
- That's our friend again. - Take no notice.
Would you think me very troublesome if I asked you for something to eat?
Sure.
- Do you like haddock? - Yes, please.
I suppose your name isn't really Smith.
It depends on where I am. You may call me Annabella.
Annabella Smith. A clergyman's daughter, I presume.
- (gas ignites) - Ohh!
Nervy? Upset by those shots tonight?
I fired those shots.
- You what? - Yes, to create a diversion.
You see, I had to get away from that theatre quickly.
There were two men there who wanted to kill me.
You should be more careful with your gentlemen friends.
- You don't understand. - Well, you don't make it very easy.
A beautiful, mysterious woman pursued by gunmen. It sounds like a spy story.
That's exactly what it is. Only I prefer the word "agent" better.
- Agent? For what country? - Any country that pays me.
- Well, what is your country? - I have no country.
Born in a balloon, eh? Well, we'll let that go.
And I suppose you've come over here to dig up some great big state secret.
No, I'm here to save the secret from being dug up.
A very important secret for this country.
Not because I love England but because it pays me better that way.
You see, the very brilliant agent of a certain foreign power...
..is on the point of obtaining a secret vital to the Air Defence.
I tracked two of his men to the music hall. Unfortunately they recognised me.
- That's why they're after me. - That was too bad.
Have you ever heard of a thing called persecution mania?
- You don't believe me? - Frankly I don't.
Go and look down into the street, then.
You win.
- Are they there? - Yes.
I hoped I'd shaken them off.
I'm going to tell you something which it's not very healthy to know.
But now that they have followed me here you are in it as much as I am.
How do you mean?
- Have you ever heard of the 39 Steps? - No, what's that? A pub?
Never mind. But what you were laughing at just now is true.
These men will stick at nothing. I am the only person who can stop them.
It is only a matter of days, perhaps hours, before the secret is out of the country.
Why don't you phone the police?
They wouldn't believe me any more than you did.
And, if they did, how long would it take to get them going?
These men act quickly.
You don't know how clever their chief is.
Clever and ruthless.
Who is he? What's his name?
He has a dozen names. He can look like a hundred people.
But one thing he cannot disguise.
This part of his little finger is missing.
If ever you should meet a man with no top joint there,...
..be very careful, my friend.
I'll make a note of it. Meanwhile, what are you going to do?
First I'll eat my haddock. Then, if you are not going to turn me out into the street,...
..have a good night's rest.
Well, you're welcome to my bed. I'll get a shakedown on the couch.
Anything else I can get you?
A map of Scotland.
Why Scotland?
There is a man in Scotland whom I must visit next if anything is to be done.
Are the 39 Steps in Scotland, by any chance?
Perhaps I'll tell you tomorrow.
Clear out, Hannay! They'll get you next!
(spluttering)
(ringing)
(ringing continues)
What you were laughing at just now is true.
These men will stop at nothing.
(telephone still ringing)
(ringing stops)
There is a man in Scotland whom I must visit next ifanything is to be done.
It is only a matter ofdays, perhaps hours,...
..before the secret is out ofthe country.
The police would not believe me any more than you did.
I tell you, these men act quickly.
Quickly... Quickly...
Good morning, sir! You're up bright and early this morning!
- Could you use a pound note, brother? - What's the catch?
I want to borrow your cap and coat.
- What for? - I want to make a getaway.
- Do a bunk? - Yes.
What have you been up to?
I'll have to trust you.
A murder's been committed on the first floor.
- By you? - No, no. By those two men out there.
And I s'pose they're waiting there for a copper to come and arrest 'em!
Listen... they're spies. Foreigners. They've murdered a woman in my flat.
Come off it! Jokes at five in the morning!
All right, all right... I'll tell you the truth.
- Are you married? - Yes, but don't rub it in.
- What's the idea now? - Well, I'm not. I'm a bachelor.
A married woman lives on the first floor, and I've just been paying her a call.
- And now I want to go home. - What's preventing you?
One of those men is her brother. The other's her husband.
Why didn't you tell me before! I only wanted to be told!
Kidding me with tales about murders and foreigners!
Put on me little hat. There.
- Take the pound. - No, no, sir. You're welcome to it.
You'd do the same for me one day.
Leave the pony round the corner.
- So long, old sport. - Goodbye. Thank you.
Oi! The empties!
(vendor) Papers! Magazines! Chocolates! Cigarettes!
(porter) Mind your backs, please!
(guard's whistle)
(train's whistle)
There he is!
(steam whistle)
They're much prettier than they were 20 years ago.
More free. Free and easy.
I don't know how people put up with the old-fashioned sort.
All bones and no bend.
- Well, they did last longer. - Oh, I dunno.
Mine last about a year. Here, I'll show you.
There's a big demand for these now.
- The old-fashioned sort. - Brr...! My wife!
Now look at these. Our new streamlined model.
- What I've been talking about. - Anything to go with it?
I should say so! This.
A pretty girl inside those needn't be ashamed of herself anywhere.
- Bring it back for me when it's filled! - I will!
Hallo, what's this? Edinburgh, Waverley... We're getting on.
- Pardon us for talking business, sir. - Oh, certainly, certainly.
- Good day, sir. - Good day.
- Broad-minded old geezer. - I'll bet he's good at charades!
I wonder what won the 2 o'clock at Windsor?
I don't know. Let's get a paper.
(newspaper vendor shouting)
Hey, son. Speaka da English?
Dispatch.
- Hallo! - Well, what won?
There's been another woman murdered in a West End flat.
Sex dramas don't appeal to me. What won?
- Bachelor Button. - Good.
- 7-4 on. - Oh, not so good.
Portland Mansions, Portland Place.
By the BBC. Nice, quiet place to put someone to sleep!
- "Good night, everybody. Good night"! - That's a good one!
What was she like? One of the usual?
A well-dressed woman of about 35, with a knife in her back.
- The tenant, Richard Hannay, is missing. - You surprise me!
At 7 o'clock this morning, the charwoman, Elizabeth Briggs...
Well, if that isn't the blasted limit!
- Now what? - Is there no honesty in this world!
I ask you! "The new Body Line rubber panty corset...
..on sale today."
"McCutcheon Brothers, Princes Street. Price 17/9d. Brassiere to match 4/11d."
Do you get that?
The Body Line. 1/3d cheaper than our streamline.
No use going to Aberdeen now.
- Might I have a look at your paper? - Certainly.
Thank you.
That's all right.
(newspaper vendor shouting)
(man) ..his bark's worse than his bite.
There's enough evidence there to hang any man.
What can I do for you, sir?
Can you tell me what station that train stops at next?
Who do you think I am? A railway porter? Away and find out for yourself!
- I can tell you a better one than that! - Oh, you couldn't! That was very funny!
Have you heard the one about the young lady of Ongar? Oh, you must hear that!
There was a young lady of Ongar...
- Taking tea, sir? - Thank you.
Darling, how lovely to see you!
Young man having a free meal in there!
I was desperate, I'm terribly sorry. I had to do it.
My name's Hannay and they're after me. I swear I'm innocent. You must help me.
Have you seen a man passing in the last few minutes?
This is the man you want, I think.
But when we passed just now...
He forced his way in and said he was Hannay.
- Is your name Hannay? - No.
- Are you coming to tea, sir? - I'll be right along.
Pull the cord!
(barking)
Go on, man!
Get on with it!
Here! Here! What for did you pull the communication cord!
- To stop the train, you old fool! - It's against the regulations!
- But a man jumped off! - He's a murderer!
- Which way did he go? - He must've jumped off here!
I cannae wait here!
- He's getting on the train! - No, that's a passenger!
- It's him, I tell ye! - Come on with you, then!
(telegraph pips)
(vendor) Hannay escapes/ Paper/
Hannay escapes/ Paper/
Paper/ Extra special/ Paper/
Sensational escape on Forth Bridge/
Paper/
Extra, extra/ Paper/
(wireless) Height about 5ft 10in. Small moustache.
Last seen wearing a dark suit.
But he may have obtained a change ofclothing.
- Good day. - And to you.
- What'll your business be? - I'm a motor mechanic, looking for a job.
- You'll find no work here. - Are there no big houses?
Only Sir Andrew's, and he's had the same chauffeur for 40 years.
- I didn't know there'd been cars that long. - He was a coachman when he was a boy.
What's that?
The manse. The minister has no motor car.
Are there no newcomers?
There's an Englishman, a kind of professor.
Professor?
He lives at Alt-na-Shellach. The other side of the loch.
- Would it be anywhere near that village? - It would.
- Thanks, I'll try there. - You won't try tonight. It's 14 miles.
Could I get a lift in that van?
No. He's bound the other way.
I guess you're right. Er... could you put me up for the night?
- Free? - No, I'll pay.
- Could you eat a herring? - I could eat half a dozen.
- Can you sleep in a box bed? - I can try.
- 2/6d. - Take it now. Thank you.
Go in with the gentleman. He'll stay till tomorrow morning.
Your daughter?
My wife.
- Will you no come in? - Thank you.
Here's your bed.
I'll lift these things.
- Could you sleep there, do you think? - You try and stop me!
You'll be tired.
I'll say I am!
I'm on the tramp looking for a job.
Won't you sit down, please, while I go on with our supper?
- Have you been in these parts long? - No. I'm from Glasgow.
- Did you ever see it? - No.
You should see Sauchiehall Street with all its fine shops!
And Argyll Street on a Saturday night, with the trams and the lights.
And the cinema palaces and the crowds.
- And it's Saturday night tonight. - And you don't get those things out here.
No...
Do you miss them?
Sometimes.
I've never been to Glasgow, but I've been to Edinburgh, Montreal and London.
- I'll tell you about London at supper. - John wouldn't approve.
Why not?
He says not to think of such places, and the wickedness that goes on there.
Why not listen now before he comes back?
What do you want to know?
Is it true that all the ladies paint their toenails?
Some of them.
- Do London ladies look beautiful? - They do.
But they wouldn't if you were beside them.
You ought not to say that.
What ought he not to say?
I was just saying to your wife that I prefer living in town than the country.
(John) God made the country.
Is the supper ready, woman?
- Do you mind if I look at your paper? - No, I don't mind.
- You didnae tell me your name. - Hammond.
Well, Mr Hammond, if you'll put down that paper, I'll say a blessing.
Yes, of course.
Sanctify these bounteous mercies to us miserable sinners.
O Lord, make us truly thankful for them and for all Thy manifold blessings.
And continually turn our hearts from wickedness...
..and from worldly things...
..unto Thee.
Amen.
I forgot to lock the barn.
(car approaching)
- The police are coming. You'd best go. - And I was having such a grand sleep!
- Don't let them catch you. - I'll never forget you.
- Which way do I go? - I'll show you.
Aye... I might've known.
Making love behind my back!
- Get out! - Just a minute...
- And you. Get out of my house... - Aye. Go.
And leave you like this?
- It's a chance of liberty... - You don't understand!
(car horn)
- She was only trying to help me. - Aye, to bring shame upon my house.
She was helping me escape from the police.
- The police? - They're after me for murder.
They're here!
She was only trying to warn me. I had to tell her about it last night.
Say I'm not here. I'll make it worth your while.
- How much? - £5.
- Give it to me. - After they've gone.
(banging on door)
Get back into bed. Shut him in. Hide him.
(dogs barking)
Not there! I dinnae trust him!
- But he took the money. - He couldnae resist it.
Here.
(policeman) Have you seen a stranger about here?
I was right. He's asking if there's a reward if you get catched.
He'll argie-bargie before he lets them in. Now's your time.
Your jacket's terrible light-coloured. I'm afeared they'll see you. Take this one.
- Is this your husband's coat? - Aye, his Sunday best. But never mind.
- What about you? He'll not ill-treat you? - No. He'll pray at me, but no more.
- What's your name? - Margaret.
Goodbye, Margaret. I'll never forget you for this.
There he goes!
Spread out in a line.
- Is the master in? - What name shall I say, sir?
Ask him if he knows Miss Annabella Smith.
- Wait here, sir, while I enquire. - Yes... all right.
We'd better make enquiries here.
Somebody may have seen him through the windows.
There's been motor cars here.
Murderers never pay calls in motor cars.
- Good day to you. - The same to you.
Have you seen any strangers?
There's callers upstairs but they're not strangers.
Any suspicious-looking bodies outside the windows?
Or calling at the house?
No, sir. There hasn't been anybody near here for the last half hour.
- You're from Annabella Smith? - Yes.
We're just celebrating my daughter Hilary's birthday.
Let me get rid of these people, then we can talk.
Louisa, my dear, I've another guest for you.
- This is Mr... I forgot to ask your name. - Hammond.
He's come to see me on business, all the way from London.
There's a police inspector at the door, sir.
At the door?
All right. I'll deal with him.
Take him in, my dear.
Come and meet my daughters. This is Patricia.
Mrs Bailey. Mrs Huntley.
- Hilary, my dear, this is Mr... - Hammond.
He's just arrived from London.
Mr Hammond, forgive the orgy, but the church sermon lasted almost an hour!
This is Captain and Mrs Oglivie.
Have a drink, Mr Hammond?
This is Derek. Derek Stewart.
This is Sheriff Watson. You have to be polite to him.
(Oglivie) He's our Sheriff's Substitute.
Give you six months' hard as soon as look at you!
It's all right, don't worry. I've sent them away.
Come and look at the view from this window, Mr Hammond.
We're rather proud of it.
(Captain Stewart) Sheriff, have you caught that murderer?
(Mrs Stewart) What murderer?
(Hilary) The man who stuck a knife into that woman in Portland Place! He's here!
(Mrs Stewart) How exciting!
(Hilary) He's been on the moors or somewhere...
Sheriff, you must catch him. You wouldn't want me knifed in the back, would you?
(Sheriff) You catch him and I'll convict him!
(Mrs Stewart) Good gracious, it's nearly one o'clock! We must get out of here.
There's no hurry, my dear. Still, if you must go...
Pat! Ring for Captain Oglivie's car, will you?
Whenever you do catch him,...
..you'll find me at the Sheriff's court at 10 every morning, so bring him along.
(Jordan) Louisa, my dear, Mr Hammond and I want to have a chat before lunch.
Now, Mr Hannay...
I suppose it's safe to call you by your real name now?
What about our mutual friend Annabella?
- She's been murdered. - Murdered?
Oh, the Portland Place affair. What our friends outside are looking for you for.
- I didn't do it. - Of course you didn't.
But why come all this way to tell me about it?
She was coming to see you about some Air Ministry secret.
She was killed by a foreign agent who was interested, too.
- Did she say what the agent looked like? - Part of his little finger was missing.
- Which one? - This one, I think.
Are you sure it wasn't... this one?
(door handle)
- Lunch is ready, dear. - I'm coming right away.
Well, Mr Hannay, I've been guilty of leading you down the garden path.
Or should it be up? I never can remember.
Seems to be the wrong garden all right.
Well... what are we going to do about it?
That's just the point. What are we going to do about it?
You see, I live here as a respectable citizen.
My whole existence would be jeopardised...
..if it became known that I'm not... what shall we say? Not what I seem.
Oh, Mr Hannay, why have you come here?
Why force me into this difficult position?
I can't lock you up in a room or anything like that.
There's my wife and daughters to think of.
I don't know what to think. Really I don't.
What makes it doubly important that I shouldn't let you go is that...
..I'm just about to, er... convey some vital information out of the country.
Oh, yes, I've got it.
I'm afraid poor Annabella would've been too late in any case.
- Well, that's that. - Yes. What about it?
- What about what? - About yourself.
- It seems to me there's only one way out. - And what's that?
Supposing I left you alone with this revolver.
Tomorrow's newspapers would be able to announce...
..the Portland Place murderer had taken his own life.
I thought you were coming to lunch directly, dear.
- Will Mr Hammond be staying? - I don't think so, dear.
Well? What do you think, Mr Hannay?
Well, I'm afraid you leave me no alternative.
I cannae find my hymn book.
Where did you leave it?
In the breast pocket of my overcoat. It was hanging here.
John, I...
I'm afraid I gave it to that gentleman who was staying here that night.
(slap/)
(laughter)
I've never seen it happen to a hymn book before!
And this bullet stuck among the hymns, eh?
Well, I'm not surprised. Some of those hymns are terrible hard to get through!
- "Hymns that have helped me", eh? - That's a good one, Mr Hannay!
And to think that I was drinking his champagne only half an hour before!
It's a lesson to us all. Not to mix with doubtful company on the Sabbath.
- How did you escape? - Look through the window and you'll see.
They put the, er... the body... in the dressing room.
When I came to, I borrowed this suit and pinched his car.
Sheriff, I don't want to hurry you, but this is serious, you know.
If it weren't, I wouldn't come to you with a murder charge hanging over me.
Never heed the murder. You'll convince Scotland Yard of your innocence...
..as easily as you've convinced me.
All I need is a short statement that I can forward to the proper authorities.
I've someone coming over from the police station to take it down.
- Are you wishing to see me, Sheriff? - Indeed I am!
Do you think I enjoy playing for time with a murderer?!
- Murderer?! - Certainly!
You're under arrest for the wilful murder of a woman unknown...
..in Portland Mansions, London.
- Take him to the jail. - Sheriff, you've heard my story! It's true!
We're not so daft in Scotland as some smart Londoners may think.
You think I believed your story about the Professor? Why, he's my best friend!
Get me Professor Jordan.
- Then where did that bullet come from? - From one of your pursuers on the moor.
I had a shot at him myself.
Allow me to telephone the High Commissioner for Canada!
You can do that from London. You'll be there soon enough.
That's the Professor's car. Hannay must be inside spilling the beans.
Stop that man!
My God!
Go on!
(# marching band)
How do you do! How do you do! We're waiting for you!
Pamela's gone to meet you at the station. This way. This way.
(loudly) ..and standard bearer himself!
I welcome this opportunity of discussing with you...
..another question vital to the import of our country...
..at this critical and momentous hour!
But, first of all, I shall occupy your time with...
(man) You've occupied too much already!
(woman) We've had enough of you!
(quietly) Ladies and gentlemen, I now call upon the speaker of the evening.
- (man) Speak up! - There's no need to tell you who he is,...
..nor to speak of his brilliant record as a soldier and a statesman,...
- (woman) Speak up! - He has conquered England...
..and is one of the foremost figures of the political world in the great city of London.
- I ask him to tell you something... - (man) About time, too!
Namely, how important it is that at this crucial bye-election...
..our candidate should be returned by an adequate majority.
- I now ask for Captain Fraser. - (applause)
Ladies and gentlemen, I apologise for my hesitation in rising just now.
I'd entirely failed while listening to the Chairman's flattering description...
- ..to realise he was talking about me. - (laughter)
May I say from the bottom of my heart and with the utmost sincerity...
..how delighted and relieved I am to find myself in your presence at this moment...
(applause)
Delighted because of your friendly reception.
Relieved because so long as I stand on this platform...
..I'm delivered for the moment...
..from the cares and anxieties which must always be the lot of a man in my position.
When I journeyed up to Scotland a few days ago, on the Highland Express,...
..over that magnificent Forth Bridge,...
..that monument to Scottish engineering and Scottish muscle,...
(applause)
..I'd no idea that in a few days' time I'd be addressing a political meeting.
I'd planned a very different programme for myself. A very different programme.
- On the moors to shoot something? - Or somebody! I'm a rotten shot!
(laughter)
I little thought I should be speaking tonight...
..in support of that brilliant young statesman, that rising, er...
..er... the gentleman on my right.
Already known among you as one destined to make...
..no uncertain mark in politics.
In other words, your future member of parliament, your candidate, Mr, uh...
McCrocodile.
(man) He doesnae know his name!
Your candidate will forgive my referring to him...
..by the nickname by which he's already known in anticipation,...
..in anticipation, mark you,...
..at, er... Westminster.
Now, we're going to discuss some topic. What shall it be?
- The herring fisheries! - Unemployment!
- What about the idle rich? - That's an old-fashioned topic!
Well, I'm not rich and I've never been idle!
I've been busy all my life and I expect to be busier soon!
Have ye ever worked with your hands?
Indeed I have, and I've known what it is to feel lonely and helpless!
Things no man or woman ought to feel!
I ask your candidate, and all who love their fellow men,...
..to make this world a happier place to live in!
Where no nation plots against nation, no neighbour plots against neighbour,...
..where there is no persecution,...
..where everybody gets a sporting chance,...
..where people help and not hinder!
A world from which suspicion and cruelty and fear have been banished!
That is the world I want! Is that the world you want?!
(cheering)
That's all I have to say! Good night!
(cheering)
- I kept going as long as I could for you. - You're certainly a difficult man to follow!
- I suppose you think you're damn clever. - Officer, tell the prisoner not to insult me.
Couldn't you realise I was speaking the truth in that railway carriage!
Will you put a call through to the High Commissioner for Canada and tell him...
That'll do now.
..an important secret is being taken out of this country by a foreign agent!
- Has that penetrated?! - Right to the funny bone.
Have you no sense?!
Put that call through, I beg of you, and refer them to me!
Will you do this?!
No. Good night.
- Miss, we should like you to come, too. - What for?
To identify the prisoner at the police station. It's only for a few minutes.
All right, if it's absolutely necessary.
- Now you. - Must I sit next to this man?
- It's only for a short time, miss. - Well, be as quick as you can.
Isn't that the police station? You're running past it. Tell the man.
You misunderstood, miss. We're not going to this police station.
- Then where are we going? - lnverary.
lnverary?
This man has to see the Sheriff Principal. We have orders to take him there.
You've no orders to take me.
But I'm afraid you must go. I'll see you're sent back as soon as possible.
- How far is it to lnverary? - 40 miles.
Will you keep quiet?
We'll be there in two hours, miss.
Two hours?! Do you think I'm going to spend half the night with you all?!
Isn't the man going the wrong way? Surely that's the way to lnverary?
There's a bridge fallen down on that road, miss. We shall have to go round.
Might I see your warrant?
You shut your mouth. You'll see it soon enough when we get to the station.
(whistles)
Would you like to have a small bet with me, Pamela?
All right, I'll have it with you, Sherlock.
100-1 your Sheriff Principal has the top joint of his little finger missing.
What about it?
I win.
(brakes)
Hallo! What are we stopping for?
Oh, a flock of detectives!
(bleating)
These sheep are all over the road! Get out and clear them away.
- What about him? - I'll soon fix that.
Now you're a special constable.
- What's the idea? - As long as you stay, he stays.
And as long as I go, you go. Come on!
Stop them!
(bleating continues)
- Come on, we must run for it! - I won't!
You're hurting me!
See if they've gone that way!
Where the devil can they have gone!
Help! Help!
(Pamela) Let me go! Let me go!
One yip out of you and I'll shoot you!
There's nobody here, I tell you!
Come up here, blast you! Spread out and find them!
We must be a mile away by now.
Don't do that!
(whistling)
Oh, do stop whistling!
You can't escape. What chance have you got tied to me?
Keep that question for your husband. I'll admit you're the White man's burden.
I can't tell you what comfort that thought gives me!
Those policemen will get you as soon as it's daylight.
- They're not policemen. - When did you find that out?
You found it out. I should never have known that was the wrong road.
They were taking us to their boss, God help us!
I see. Still sticking to your penny-novelette spy story.
20 million women in this island and I've got to be chained to you!
Look, I'm telling you the truth. I told you last week and I told you this evening.
I'm telling you now for the third time!
There's a dangerous conspiracy against this island and only we can stop it.
The gallant knight to the rescue!
All right. Then I'm just a plain common murderer...
..who stabbed an innocent defenceless woman in the back not four days ago.
I don't know how innocent you are, but you're a woman and you're defenceless.
And you're alone on a desolate moor, manacled to a murderer.
If that's the situation you prefer, my lovely, you're welcome.
I'm not afraid of... Atchoo!
For all you know I may murder a woman a week.
So listen to a bit of advice.
From now on do every single thing I tell you to do and do it quick.
You big bully!
I like your pluck!
Come on.
(whistles)
(Hannay still whistling)
We're going in there.
- What for? - That's my business.
Now, a civil tongue or else.
You're going to back me up in every single thing I say or do.
- Has that penetrated the ivory dome? - Only just.
Put your hand in my pocket. Look as if you're in a hurry. Come on.
Come away in, ma'am. Come away in, sir. Oh, the young lady's terrible wet!
We had an accident with our car.
- You'll be staying the night? - Yes.
We've just the one room, with the one bed, but you'll no be minding that.
No, no, quite the reverse.
- You're man and wife, I suppose? - Oh, yes.
Er... yes.
- Have you any luggage? - No, we left that in the car.
I could lend the young lady a nightgown. Will you please to register?
James, the book!
I'll light the fire for you. Will you be needing supper?
No, just a large whisky and soda and sandwiches...
Oh, and a glass of milk.
I can't write with my left hand but I can shoot with it.
You can guess what's in this pocket.
You sign, darling. The sooner you get used to writing your new name the better.
Off we go. Mr and Mrs Henry Hopkinson, The Hollyhocks, Hammersmith.
Now, dearie, off with that wet skirt and I'll dry it in the kitchen.
Oh, don't bother. It'll dry in front of the fire just as well.
No doubt the gentleman will take care of you.
- Good night, sir. Good night, ma'am. - Good night.
Good night.
Is he married to her, do you think?
I dinna ken and I dinna care. They're so terrible in love with each other!
I shall tell them the whole story!
- Do you want me to hang for murder?! - I don't care!
- I'm not spending the night with you! - What else can you do!
(knock at door)
Can I come in, sir?
Come in.
We were just getting warm before the fire.
I can see that. I thought you'd like this in your bed, sir.
Would you like a hot-water bottle?
(whispers) Say "Yes, darling".
- Yes, darling. - Very well.
- I say, please don't go! - Why not? Is anything wrong?
She wants to tell you something, that's all... We're a runaway couple.
I kenned it all the time! And they're after you?
- You won't give us away, will you? - Of course we will not give you up.
And good night to you both. You'll no be disturbed.
But...
Thank God for a bite to eat! Come on.
Here you are.
- What's the next item on the programme? - Get these things off.
How are we going to do that? Anything in that bag of yours that would help?
A pair of scissors or a hairpin or something?
- A nail file? Would that help? - It'd take 10 years but we can try!
Now let's get comfortable.
What about that skirt? It's still pretty damp.
I don't want to be tied to a pneumonia case as well. Take it off.
I shall keep it on, thank you!
And that... is that.
I'll take my stockings off, though.
That's the first sensible thing you've said. Can I be of any assistance?
- No, thank you. - Sorry.
- Here, hold this. - Oh, yes.
Half a minute.
Thank you.
- Would you like your milk now? - No, thank you. I'll wait a little.
Cheerio.
That's better.
- Are your feet quite warm again? - Yes, thanks.
Now, kindly place yourself on the operating table.
Nobody's going to hurt you! Let's get some rest while we can.
I will not lie on this bed.
You'll lie wherever I lie! We're Siamese twins!
Oh, don't gloat!
Gloat?! Do you think I want to wake up and see your face unwashed and shiny?!
What a sight you'll be!
Give me that nail file.
Thank you.
(whistles)
I wish I could get that damn tune out of my head. I wonder where I heard it.
(yawns)
- You sound very sleepy. - Sleepy? I'll say so!
Do you know when I last slept in a bed? Saturday night. And I only got two hours.
- What woke you so soon? Dreams? - What do you mean?
- I thought murderers had terrible dreams. - Oh, I got over that a long time ago.
At first I was quite squeamish. I was a most sensitive child.
You surprise me.
I'd wake up screaming, thinking the law was after me, but one gets hardened.
How did you start?
Oh, pilfering pennies from other children's lockers at school.
Then pocket-picking. Then car-pinching.
Then smash and grab and burglary.
I killed my first man when I was 19.
(yawns)
You'll be able to take your grandchildren to Madame Tussaud's and point me out.
- Which section? - It's early to say. I'm still young.
But I'll be there somewhere. You'll point me out and say "Chicks,...
..if I were to tell you how matey I was with that gentleman..."
What's the matter?
- You're pinching my wrist. - I'm sorry.
- Anyway, that's how it all began. - What began?
My career of crime. All hereditary. Great Uncle Penruddock.
Who was he?
My good girl! Never heard of my Great Uncle Penruddock? Cornish Bluebeard?
I thought your family came from Canada.
That's where they went, after the Penruddock incident.
He murdered three wives and got away with it.
His third mother-in-law tried to have him arrested.
Did she succeed?
No...! He was too quick for her.
Took her for a walk to Land's End and shoved her over into the Atlantic Ocean.
He's in Madame Tussaud's, and there's no doubt about his department.
You must go and see him sometime. Can't mistake him.
Third on the left as you go in, red whiskers and a harelip.
And that, lady, is the sad story of my life.
Poor orphan boy who never had a chance.
Are you still set on giving me up to the police?
- You're sure everything will be all right? - Bound to be. He can't have much time.
As soon as I've picked up... you know what... I'll clear out of the country.
Be careful.
Wire me.
- Goodbye, my dear. - Goodbye.
(front door)
(man) Is that Professor Jordan's house?
Can I speak to Mrs Jordan, then?
Is that Mrs Jordan?
He's gone to London already, has he?
- I'd like that whisky hot. - I'll away and get the hot water.
He dodged the police, but the girl handed him to us thinking we were detectives.
We had to take her because he told her everything.
Very good, ma'am. I see.
Yes, ma'am.
Well?
The old man's got the wind up. He's cleared out already.
He thought it too dangerous with Hannay loose. He's warning the whole 39 Steps.
Has he got the... er... you know.
He's picking up our friend at the London Palladium on the way out.
Here's your toddy.
That'll be half a crown.
- And the phone call? - We'll say a shilling.
- Is, er... is this a hotel as well? - Aye.
- Do you have people staying here? - Aye.
- I suppose you get a few odd people? - Oh, aye.
- Didn't have anyone in tonight, did you? - Aye!
They weren't by any chance a young couple, were they?
James!
Mercy me! What kind of a silly creature am I married to!
Do you want us all jailed?!
- How much did you take for these? - Half a crown.
Out, the pair of you!
And dinna let on to anybody that you got a drink here after hours!
You old fool, you. You wouldnae have given away a young couple, would you?
Morning.
What's the idea? How did we get out of these?
I slipped out of mine last night and camped out here.
- Why didn't you run away? - I did, but just as I was going I...
I discovered you'd been speaking the truth, so I decided to stay.
May I ask what earthquake caused your brain to work at last?
Those two men - I heard them telephoning.
- What did they say? - Oh, stuff about... about the 39 Steps.
You don't mean...? No, go on.
Someone's going to warn them... How can you warn steps?
And there was another thing... Someone's got scared and is clearing out.
And, um... Oh, yes, and is picking up someone at the London Palladium.
London Palladium?
Is that the Professor? Our friend with the little finger missing?
What does he want to go there for?
I feel such a fool not having believed you.
Oh, that's all right.
Um... Well, we ought to get a move on.
What room are those two men in?
No room. They went as soon as they'd telephoned.
They what?!
Didn't I tell you?
You let them go after hearing what they said?!
- You button-headed little... - Don't talk to me like that!
Four or five hours wasted! Even you might have realised this was important!
Well, why not let well alone?
My good girl, I'm accused of murder!
The only way to clear myself is to expose these spies!
You still can. Go to the London Palladium.
I'll get there five hours late!
- The show will suit you! - What's that?
"Crazy Month!"
(car horns)
You're quite right, madam.
The Air Ministry has got a new thing quite a lot of people are interested in,...
..but they are positive that no papers are missing that would be of any use to a spy.
But there's a man leaving the country tonight with something!
Since you telephoned from Scotland this morning...
..we've made the minutest enquiries.
I'm wasting my time here.
Just a moment, miss, please... There's one thing you haven't told us.
Where's Richard Hannay?
I haven't the faintest idea.
Now look here, miss...
- You're in the telephone book? - Yes.
If anything crops up, we'll give you a ring. That'll be all now. Thank you.
Tell Archer and Seagrave to get a taxi and follow that girl.
She'll lead us to Hannay all right.
(audience laughing)
# Love is a song...
(laughter)
Cover every exit. Don't let anyone leave.
You two go in the orchestra pit.
Ladies and gentlemen,...
..we shall now sing!
(band strikes up)
(tap dancing)
(laughter)
Move along there, please.
Come on, sir.
- Sorry, sir, no-one's allowed to leave. - What? A man can't go and get a drink?
I'm just looking for someone. Can I go through, please?
(comedy dance routine continues)
She's seen him. She's on her way down to the stalls now.
May I borrow your opera glasses, please?
May I take your place, please?
What are you doing here? Look, he's in that box.
I've been to Scotland Yard. Nothing has been stolen from the Air Ministry.
But you heard those men say he'd got it, and there he is!
Shall we take him now, sir, or wait till the interval?
What are you going to do? There's nothing missing. There's an end to it.
(band strikes up new tune)
Hear that tune? It's that damn thing I couldn't get out of my head.
Now I know where I've heard it before. That music hall - Annabella Smith!
(applause)
Ladies and gentlemen, with your kind attention and permission,...
..I have now the honour to present to you...
..one of the most remarkable men in the world.
It's the same little man.
Every day he commits to memory 50 new facts...
..and remembers every one of them!
Facts from history, from geography, from newspapers,...
..from scientific text books.
Millions and millions of them, down to the smallest detail.
Test him, ladies and gentlemen. Ask him...
Of course there are no papers missing! The information's in Memory's head!
I don't understand.
The details of that Air Ministry secret were borrowed, memorised,...
..then replaced before anyone found out.
That's why he's here tonight - to take Memory out of the country.
Some gentlemen wish to speak to you.
(Memory) Question, please! Question, please!
(woman) When did Florence Nightingale die?
- Are you Richard Hannay? - Listen, that man on the stage is...
Look here, you don't want to cause trouble and spoil people's entertainment.
(Hannay) What are the 39 Steps?!
Come on, answer up! What are the 39 Steps?!
The 39 Steps is an organisation of spies...
..collecting information on behalf of the Foreign Office of...
(gunshot)
(screaming)
(screaming continues)
Keep your seats! Keep your seats, please!
There's no need for alarm! No cause for alarm!
I'm all right.
- Are you sure you don't want a chair? - Let me rest here. I'm all right.
Take it easy. Take it easy now.
Take it easy.
Get the girls on straight away!
Girls' introduction!
Mr Memory, what was the secret formula you were taking out of the country?
Will it be all right me telling you, sir?
It was a big job to learn it. The biggest job I ever tackled.
- I don't want to throw it away... - It'll be quite all right.
The first feature of the engine is its increased ratio of compression...
..represented by R minus one over R to the power of gamma...
..where R represents the ratio of compression, and gamma...
..seen in end elevation...
..the axis of the two lines of cylinders,...
..angle of 65 degrees...
Dimensions of cylinders as follows...
This device renders the engine completely silent.
Am I right, sir?
Quite right, old chap.
Thank you, sir. Thank you.
I'm glad it's off my mind...
..at last.