North by Northwest (1959) Turns 60

Alfred Hitchcock‘s North by Northwest was released 60 years ago on July 1, 1959. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film stars Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason. Ernest Lehman penned the screenplay, and was hell-bent on creating the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures.

‘North by Northwest’ Synopsis

North by Northwest revolves around a New York City advertising executive named Roger Thornhill. Foreign spy, Philip Vandamm mistakes Thornhill for C.I.A. Agent George Kaplan, and they kidnap him. Thornhill escapes Vandamm and his crony, Leonard’s clutches, but finds himself framed for murder. While on the lam from local police, Thornhill boards the 20th Century Limited to Chicago where he meets the beautiful Eve Kendall. Although very helpful, Thornhill eventually discovers the blond bombshell isn’t his innocent bystander isn’t who he thinks she is. This leads to a climatic confrontation at the top of Mt. Rushmore as Thornhill looks to escape the Vandamm’s clutches once and for all, clear his name, and get the girl.

Also available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Critical Response

North by Northwest was nominated for three Academy Awards at the 32nd Academy Awards: Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Color; and Best Original Screenplay; losing to Ben-Hur and Pillow Talk. Ernest Lehman did win a 1960 Edgar Award for the film in the category of Best Motion Picture Screenplay.

In 1995, the National Film Registry selected North by Northwest for preservation as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

In June 2008, the American Film Institute listed North by Northwest as the seventh-best film in the mystery genre. AFI lists is as No. 40 in their list of top 100 Movies; No. 4 in their 100 Years…100 Thrills category, and No. 55 in their 100 Years…100 Movies 10th Anniversary Edition.

Metacritic gives the film a 98 out of 100. IMDb gives it an 8.3 out of 10, and finally, Shane A’s favorite gives the film a 99% Critics and 94% Audience.

What do you think of the film? Let us know in the comments below.