Spectacular thriller

Rating: 10/10 (25 June 2000)

Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" is a classic thriller. I think this is Hitchcock's second best movie (his best is "Psycho"). It has everything. Thrills, action, suspense, comedy, and great performances. Cary Grant has never been better as Roger Thornhill, a man who gets in way over his head when he's framed for murder. James Mason is terrific as the head bad guy, Martin Landau (35 years before his Oscar-winning role in "Ed Wood") is scary as one of Mason's henchmen, and Eva Marie Saint is wonderful as the mystery woman who helps Grant out and falls in love with him. "North by Northwest" is a very exciting adventure that never gets boring for one minute. There are lots of great scenes in this film. From an intoxicated Grant driving a car to get away from the bad guys early on to the dust-cropping scene midway through to the Mount Rushmore scenes late, I was into this film from the fascinating opening credits to the thrilling climax. The Master of Suspense as made some classic movies. "North by Northwest" is definitely one of them.

**** (out of four)