The 39 Steps (1935)

Robert Donat: Hannay

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Richard Hannay : I know what it is to feel lonely and helpless and to have the whole world against me, and those are things that no men or women ought to feel.

• Richard Hannay : [Hannay escapes onto the stage at a political rally and has to make an impromptu speech]  Ladies and gentleman I apologise for my hesitation in rising just now, but to tell you the simple truth I'd entirely failed while listening to the chairman's flattering description of the next speaker to realise that he was talking about me.

• Richard Hannay : Beautiful, mysterious woman pursued by gunmen. Sounds like a spy story.

  Annabella Smith : That's exactly what it is. Only I prefer the word agent better.

  Richard Hannay : "Agent"? For what country?

  Annabella Smith : Any country that pays me.

  Richard Hannay : And what is your country?

  Annabella Smith : I have no country.

  Richard Hannay : Born in a balloon, eh? I'll let that go.

• Richard Hannay : There are 20 million women in this island and I've got to be chained to you.

• [a flock of sheep block the road as the car screeches to a halt] 

  Richard Hannay : Hello, what are we stopping for? Oh it's a whole flock of detectives.

• Annabella Smith : Have you ever heard of the 39 Steps?

  Richard Hannay : No. What's that, a pub?

• Richard Hannay : Are you married?

  The Milkman : Yes, but don't rub it in.

• [first lines] 

  Richard Hannay : Stall, please.

  Music hall announcer : Ladies and Gentleman, with your kind attention, and permission, I have the honor of presenting to you one of the most remarkable men in the world.

  Heckler in Audience : How remarkable? He's sweating!

• [Screaming out to Mr. Memory at the Music Hall] 

  Richard Hannay : What are The 39 Steps?

• Richard Hannay : I ask your candidate and all those who love their fellowmen to set themselves resolutely to make this world a happier place to live in. A world where no nation plots against nation, where no neighbor plots against neighbor, where there is no persecution or hunting down, where everybody gets a square deal, and a sporting chance, and where people try to help and not to hinder. A world from which suspicion and cruelty and fear have been forever banished. That is the sort of world I want! Is that the sort of world you want?

• Richard Hannay : How far is Winnipeg from Montreal?

  Mr. Memory : A gentleman from Canada. You're welcome, sir. Winnipeg, the third city of Canada and the capital of Manitoba. Distance from Montreal: 1424 miles.

• Richard Hannay : [as they register at the inn]  You shall sign, darling. The sooner you get used to writing your new name the better. Off we go, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hopkinson, The Hollyhocks, Hammersmith.

• Richard Hannay : What are you going to do?

  Annabella Smith : First, I'll eat my haddock. Then, if you are not going to turn me out onto the street, have a good night's rest.

  Richard Hannay : You're welcome to my bed. I'll get a shakedown on the couch.

• Crofter's Wife : Do London ladies look beautiful?

  Richard Hannay : They do. But they wouldn't if you were beside them.

  Crofter's Wife : [to Hannay as her husband walks in]  You ought not say that.

  Crofter : What ought he not to say?

  Richard Hannay : I was just saying to your wife that I prefer living in town than the country.

  Crofter : God made the country. Is the supper ready, woman?

  Crofter's Wife : Aye.

• Annabella Smith : Do you want to know more about me? What do you think I do for a living?

  Richard Hannay : Actress?

  Annabella Smith : Not in the way you mean.

  Richard Hannay : Chorus?

  Annabella Smith : No.

  Richard Hannay : I'm sorry.

  Annabella Smith : I'm a freelance.

  Richard Hannay : Out for adventure, eh?

  Annabella Smith : That's right.

• Richard Hannay : I suppose your name isn't really Smith.

  Annabella Smith : It depends on where I am.

• Richard Hannay : I've never been to Glasgow, but I've been to Edinburgh and Montreal and London. I'll tell you all about London at supper.

  Crofter's Wife : John wouldn't approve of that. I doubt.

  Richard Hannay : Why not?

  Crofter's Wife : He says it's best not to think of such places and the wickedness that goes on there.

• Richard Hannay : [to Pamela]  Do you think I'm looking forward to waking up in the morning and seeing your face beside me, unwashed and shiny? What a sight you'll be!

• Annabella Smith : May I come home with you?

  Richard Hannay : What's the idea?

  Annabella Smith : Well, I'd like to.

  Richard Hannay : Well, it's your funeral.

• Richard Hannay : Are the 39 Steps in Scotland, by any chance?

  Annabella Smith : Perhaps I'll tell you tomorrow.

• Crofter's Wife : I'm from Glasgow. Did you ever see it?

  Richard Hannay : No.

  Crofter's Wife : Oh, you should see Sauchiohall Street with all its fine shops - and Argyll Street on a Saturday night - with the trams and the lights - and the cinema palaces and their crowds. And it's Saturday night tonight.

• Pamela : What chance have you got tied to me?

  Richard Hannay : Keep that question for your husband. I'll admit you're the white man's burden.

  Pamela : I know, and I can't tell you what comfort that thought gives me.

• Richard Hannay : I don't know how innocent you may be, but you're a woman and you're defenseless, and you're alone on a desolate moor in the dark, manacled to a murderer who'd stop at nothing to get you off his hands. If that's the situation you prefer, have it, my lovely, and welcome.

• Innkeeper's Wife : Now dearie, off with that wet skirt of your's, and I'll have it dried in the kitchen.

  Pamela : Don't bother. It'll dry in front of the fire just as well. Thanks all the same.

  Innkeeper's Wife : No doubt the gentleman will take care of you. Good night, sir. Good night, ma'am.

  Richard Hannay : Good night.

  Pamela : Good night.

• Richard Hannay : So listen to a bit of advice. From now on do every single thing I tell you to do and do it quick.

  Pamela : You big bully.

  Richard Hannay : I like your pluck.

• Richard Hannay : Let's make ourselves comfortable. What about that skirt of yours? It's still pretty damp. I don't want to be tied to a pneumonia case on top of everything else. Take it off. I don't mind.

  Pamela : I shall keep it on, thank you.

  Richard Hannay : And that - is that.

  Pamela : My shoes and stockings are soaked. I think I'll take them off.

  Richard Hannay : That's the first sensible thing I've heard you say. Can I be of any assistance?

• Richard Hannay : What did they say?

  Pamela : A lot of stuff about - about the 39 Steps.

  Richard Hannay : You - you.

  Pamela : What?

  Richard Hannay : Go on. Go on.

  Pamela : Someone's going to warn them. How can you warn steps?

• Annabella Smith : Would you think me very troublesome if I asked for something to eat? I've had nothing all day.

  Richard Hannay : Sure. You like haddock?

  Annabella Smith : Yes, please.

• Richard Hannay : You needed that.

  Annabella Smith : I did. Thank you.

• Crofter's Wife : You'll be tired.

  Richard Hannay : I'll say I am. I'm on the tramp, looking for a job.

• Richard Hannay : What will happen to you?

  Crofter's Wife : Oh, I'll say I couldn't stop you.

  Richard Hannay : He'll not ill treat you?

  Crofter's Wife : No. He'll pray at me, but no more.

• Richard Hannay : Has that penetrated?

  Pamela : Right to the funny bone. Now tell me another one.

• Richard Hannay : We're going in there and you'll back me up on everything I say or do. Has that penetrated the ivory dome?

  Pamela : Only just.

• Mr. Memory : Am I right, sir?

  Richard Hannay : Quite right, old chap.

• Richard Hannay : You button-headed little idiot!

• Hilary, Professor Jordan's party guest : I've been guilty of leading you down the garden path. Or should it be up? I never can remember.

  Richard Hannay : It seems to be the wrong garden, all right.