YOUNG AND INNOCENT

In 1935 Hitchcock directed the incomparable 'The 39 Steps', about a man on the run from the police who needs to identify the real murderer in order to establish his innocence.

So it's a surprise that only two years later Hitchcock revisited the same terrain by directing this film which was bound to be inferior in every way.  And it is.

If you can stop comparing it with the earlier classic I guess it's a mildly diverting tale, but I confess my attention was in danger of wandering throughout.

There's a surprising lack of dramatic incident and of suspense.  The accused man, Robert, seems remarkably laidback about the bind he is in, and similarly the young woman Erica who helps him is relaxed right from the off about being on the run with an accused murderer.

Inevitably these two young people fall in love but the actors playing them don't have any chemistry that I could see.  In particular I found Derrick De Marney (who plays Robert) irritating throughout because of his insouciance.  

On the other hand I found Nova Pilbeam's portrayal of Erica as a can-do no-nonsense young woman rather appealing, even if she could scarcely be described as one of Hitchcock's archetypal blondes.

It also a problem that the plot doesn't bear close scrutiny.  It includes yet another example of the murderer confessing when there is scarcely any evidence to prove his guilt.

Of course the film is competently directed, and Hitchcock uses supporting characters to provide some humour.  And no doubt he had fun constructing a crane shot towards the end which zooms in on the murderer, but by this stage the effort was largely wasted on me.

RATING: x Curb Your Enthusiasm