Another perfectly captured screenplay, and this time of one of 's greatest movies; a movie that is listed in most Top 100 movies of all time lists, 'North by Northwest'. The dialogue is fast and furious, especially the male-female banter between leads Eva Marie Saint. The dialogue captures Grant perfectly and the stage directions epitomise the attention to detail beloved of Hitchcock. Plus there's one of the most famous scenes in 1950s movie making history: This romantic thriller, which is very much more thriller than romantically minded, starts as it means to go on with advertising executive Cary Grant, in a case of mistaken identity, being hounded by organised crime and the police forces. Zipping across America to a classic Hollywood-esque climax at an American monument, it almost feels like a dedication to the golden Hollywood years earlier in the 20th century. What I will say for play and movie fans, is pick up a film script or a screenplay, they are captivating reads, so hard to put down, I purposelessly tried to put this down on three occasions only to have to pick this back up again, and ended up reading it all, within a day (about three hours reading time). 7 out of 12 - firm Three Star read. I'll leave Cary Grant with the last words... 2020 read
It's a shame screenwriters rarely become household names. We remember directors and score composers, and of course the actors, but the writers--the ones most responsible--go largely unnoticed. I had no idea, for example, that Ernest Lehman didn't just pen the script for North By Northwest, one of Hitchcock's sexiest and most intriguing thrillers, but also many of the most iconic films in history. These include The King and I (1956), West Side Story (1961), The Sound of Music (1965), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), and Hello, Dolly! (1969).
As detailed in the introduction, North By Northwest was very much Lehman's baby. He was introduced to Hitchcock by Bernard Herrmann and the two instantly hit it off. Lehman told his new friend that he wanted to write "the Hitcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures." Something with "wit, glamour, sophistication, suspense, and many different colorful locals." After a year of toil, severe writers block, and yes feedback from Alfred H. himself, he turned in the final copy and the rest is history.
From a writer's perspective, it's hard not to admire Lehman's carefully crafted dialogue. He places the audience in the midst of it all, wielding confusion effortlessly as a source of mystery and intrigue. It matches the experience of the characters, who also find themselves fish out of water.
Then, Eve is introduced and the premise goes from smoldering intensity to steamy broil. Eve and Thornhill's flirtations get so hot that at least one line had to be dubbed over to bypass censors. Even by today's standards, their subtext-driven innuendo can make a person blush. Of course, there's also a number of Hitchock worthy twists to keep the story fresh and unexpected all the way to the dramatic finale. I don't know if it's the Hitchcock movie to end all Hitchcock movies, but it certainly plays all the hits and cranks them up to eleven.
Now that I know his filmography, I can see Lehman's fingerprints clearly in some of the most memorable cinematic characters. The Sound of Music in particular is full of that subtext-driven undercurrent between Maria and Captain von Trapp. The Baroness always knows how to carefully phrase something so it drips with multiple meanings. He transforms minor details--such as pink lemonade--into character-revealing, plot-enhancing devices.
I don't read a lot of screenplays, which is a shame, but I'm really glad I got a hold of this one. In addition to merely seeing brilliant dialogue on the page, reading the action directions and scene descriptions create a new kind of experience with visual storytelling. Though it is short, the introduction detailing the script's backstory is also a treat. Highly recommended!
really liked it! first time reading a screenplay and it was very interasting, and the story very engaging!! i didnt understand the title though, so if someone could shed a light on me that'd be great!
I read this as an introduction to screenplays, and found that I enjoyed it better than the movie! The wit and humor are often lost in the action, and Lehman is a masterful writer. I also found out what a diverse career he has had, writing screenplays for movies like North by Northwest to The Sound of Music. Cool! I loved this.
A hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive.Not all is as it seems however, leading to a dramatic rescue and escape at the top of Mt. Rushmore.
honestly couldn't fall asleep when i read this before going to bed because the momentum of reading the scenes was too crazy. love how it twists and turns and always keeps you on your toes. obvs hitchcock's directing deservedly gets the praise here, but lehman's witty dialogue and his writing of action sequences and tense build-up is just as cinematic underneath all of that.
It's Ernest Lehman writing the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures. What's not to love? It's kind of dated now, but still holds up ridiculously well. The balance of suspense, romance and humor is always entertaining.
Lately I have been reading an increasing number of screenplays; of films I've loved, films I've hated, and films I've never seen. I'll admit that I am reading them with educational purposes in mind, but that doesn't preclude the basic enjoyment of a good story. This one falls into the category of films I've loved: my favorite Hitchcock film.
A story about someone who works in advertising is mistaken to be a government worker which lead some spies to try to kill him in several occasions as he was able to run away from them by chance. What he will do in order to get his freedom and live a normal life !