"North By Northwest" Returns to Theaters

Special Two-Day Screening Event

Get ready for a case of mistaken identity, a web of espionage and murder, and a cross-country chase when Fathom Events, TCM Big Screen Classics and Warner Bros Entertainment bring Alfred Hitchcock's classic North by Northwest to theaters nationwide for a special two-day event on April 2 and 5 only. The screenings also includes exclusive commentary by TCM host Ben Mankiewicz.

Cary Grant teamed with director Alfred Hitchcock for the fourth and final time in this superlative espionage caper. One of the American Film Institute's Top 100 American Films and recipient of three Academy Award nominations, the 1959 thriller is filled with some of Hollywood's most iconic moments—from the crop-duster attack on Grant to the epic conclusion on the face of Mount Rushmore—not to mention unforgettable sardonic lines like, "I've got a job, a secretary, a mother, two ex-wives and several bartenders that depend upon me." As we look back on one of our favorite films in the illustrious Warner Bros. Film Library, we thought we'd first share this time-capsule video of Hitchcock himself introducing the film to audiences at the time of its release, followed by a few fun facts and some memorable photos from the set.

hitchcock (bottom right) directs his two stars—Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint—as they board the 20th Century Limited, the world's most famous train at the time. — Director Alfred Hitchcock (bottom right) directs his two stars—Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint—as they board the 20th Century Limited, the world's most famous train at the time *North By Northwest* was shot.

Eva Marie Saint pictured in North By Northwest — Eva Marie Saint as Eve Kendall in a scene from *North By Northwest*.

In a 2014 interview with Vanity Fair, Eva Marie Saint described working on the film:

[Hitchcock] didn’t talk about acting. He worked with me from the outside in. My hair, my makeup, my shoes, my jewelry, my purse, my gloves, everything. And just from creating that exterior for me, he gave me the sense of a spy lady. But we never talked about emotion. He told me not to use my hands, I have a habit of doing that, and to lower my voice. And always, in my scenes with Cary Grant, look directly into his eyes, which was not difficult.

Cary Grant as Roger Thornhill in North By Northwest. — In 2006, GQ assembled a panel of fashion experts who cited Grant’s suit worn throughout the film as being the most influential to men’s style in film history. The famous three-button, plaid suit even had an impact on the look of another famous cinematic spy: James Bond, who was still three years away from his big screen debut.

Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark had her picture taken with Eva Marie Saint, Cary Grant and James Mason, and then took a photo herself of the star trio. — Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark poses for a photo with the movie’s three stars—Eva Marie Saint, Cary Grant and James Mason—and then takes one of her own shots during a visit to the set in 1959. The princess, later named Sofia, would become Queen of Spain from 1975-2014.

Cary Grant (pictured on the set with Hitchcock) was reportedly so perplexed by the storyline that he told the director that he couldn't make "head or tail of it," but Hitchcock used his star's confusion to his advantage as Grant's character is supposed to be befuddled by all the events swirling around him.

cary grant with a distrustful look towards those around him in north by northwest — Without proper permission to film inside or outside the United Nations building, Hitchcock and his camera crew hid in a van across the street and filmed Cary Grant getting out of a cab and entering the UN. When watching the film, notice a passerby look back at the world famous actor who has just walked by.

cary grant and eva marie saint on mount rushmore during the climax of north by northwest — One of Hitchcock's working titles for *North By Northwest* was "The Man in Lincoln's Nose" since the director's desire to make a film with a murder on Mount Rushmore was the seed that gave the birth to the entire film.

Stars James mason and eva marie saint have fun on the set — Stars James Mason and Eva Marie Saint have some fun on the *North By Northwest* set.

hitchcock is added to mount rushmore in this publicity photo for north by northwest — You have to love this not-so-subtle Hitchcockian addition to Mount Rushmore that was created for the *North By Northwest* publicity machine.

Hope you enjoyed this little time travel and remember to see the exclusive theatrical screening of this classic on April 2 or April 5. Get Tickets Now!