Entertaining North, South, East or West.

Rating: 9/10 (5 August 2015)

North by Northwest (1959): Dir: Alfred Hitchcock / Cast: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Jesse Royce Landis, Martin Landau: A case of mistaken identity of an innocent victim out to clear his name while being literally pulled in different directions. Cary Grant plays an advertising executive abducted and learns that he was mistaken for someone else. He cannot reason with them and when he refuses to cooperate with their demands he is force fed alcohol and sent on a driving spree that ends with his arrest. His story is laughed at and a trip to the mansion with police goes unsuccessful due to the removal of evidence. Fascinating mystery with Grant up for murder with plot turns, train rides, mystery blondes, and a heart-pounding climax atop Mount Rushmore. Skilled directing by Alfred Hitchcock who worked with Grant in three previous films. Grant is hilarious yet intelligent as he struggles to render his innocence as well as avoid police. Eva Marie Saint plays a suspicious blonde with secret ties beneath the romance. James Mason plays the sly villain whose defeat should have been more highlighted. Jesse Royce Landis brings humour as Grant's unbelieving mother but more of her would have been great. Martin Landau plays Mason's sinister head henchmen. Exhilarating adventure with nail-biting suspense from north to northwest and elsewhere. Score: 9 / 10