North by Northwest is one of Hitchcock's most popular thrillers. Coasting on his reputation as a master of his craft, Hitchcock's virtually repeats the format of his most entertaining British period - The 39 Steps, - except the location is transferred from Britain to America. The story - and it is a constantly thrilling story -engages an innocent man caught in a complex web of spies, murder and escape.

Cary Grant plays the charming executive who is mistaken for a CIA spy and lands himself in trouble chased by the police, Russian spies and the CIA. In attempting to prove his innocence, Cary Grant treks across the expanse of America ending up on Mount Rushmore climbing across the rugged cliff faces of American Presidents. Hitchcock obviously enjoyed making the film and included a scene which has become a Hitchcock classic.

The crop-duster scene in which Cary Grant waits for a rendezvous on a deserted highway in broad daylight surrounded by Midwestern cornfields is regarded as a masterpiece of suspense and terror. Hitchcock's ability to depict menace in a sunny, pastoral landscape demonstrates his ability to bring suspense in the most natural surrounding. Cary Grant and Eve Marie Saint as the mysterious blonde are superb in the main roles as is James Mason as the suave master-spy.

There is humor, adventure and a barrel full of thrills in this marvelously entertaining thriller that ends up on the nose of President Lincoln on Mount Rushmore.