North By Northwest - 1959
Movie: North By Northwest - 1959
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Synopsis: New York advertising executive Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) is mistaken for another man - George Kaplan - while trying to send a telegram from the lobby of the Plaza Hotel. Abducted by two men, and driven to a Long Island mansion belonging to a Mr. Lester Townsend, he is presented to a bodyguard (Martin Landau), and a man he assumes is Townsend (James Mason). So begins Roger's attempt to convince people that he isn't the elusive George Kaplan, and to discover what all of this is about. After escaping an attempt to kill him, he tries to contact Mr. Townsend at the United Nations, but is greeted by a different man - who is promptly killed, and Roger is photographed with the murder weapon. He escapes New York on a train to Chicago, attempting to retrace George Kaplan's steps. On the train he is aided by a beautiful young woman (Eva Marie Saint) - who recognizes him but doesn't turn him in.
Scene: After many plot twists, and a memorable visit to the middle of nowhere on a bus, Roger suspects that Eve is more wrapped up in this than she lets on. He discovers that she is the mistress of Phillip Vandamm (James Mason), but also working for the government. He is transported to Rapid City, S.D for a meeting at Mt. Rushmore with Vandamm - where his death is faked. He is locked up by government agents in a local hospital, but escapes to rescue Eve.
Monogram: After sneeking in to Vandamm's house, Roger cuts his hand, then reaches into his pocket and finds a monogrammed handkerchief - ROT - in the pants pocket of the clothes supplied to him in the hospital. Also some monogrammed matches, which he uses to try to warn Eve of her imminent danger. Adding to the intricate plot - but not mentioned in the movie - the O in the center is larger, and by convention would be the last initial. Wardrobe mistake - or something else?
Contributed by: Cathy Sundermann
