Textual analysis of the opening of '39 steps' film by Hitchcock

1. 39 Steps

2. First Image of Wording

3. Mise En Scene Set in black and white which tells us that the narrative takes place before colour filming was introduced. The lights turn on one by one to spell out Music Hall. Music Hall’s where popular in the 1930s. Tells us that Music Hall will be important to the scene Words are lit in individual flashbulbs which are iconographic of glamour and theatre. We know this is a glamorous occasion. Sound At the beginning there is the non diagetic sound of music. The music is upbeat and sets a light atmosphere. We later discover that the sound is from pieces performed by the house orchestra during the early music hall scene. The music also sets the era, with no vocals just instruments such as violins playing. Camera Angles The angle of the camera is at eye level. The camera then pans from left to right showing the lights turning one one by one creating excitement for the audience. It is a quick shot used to set up the action of whats to come.

4. Second Image of Shadow

5. Mise En Scene A shadow appears on the screen creating mystery and intrigue, stereotypical device used in the mystery genre. We see the figure of a man, he's wearing a trench coat with his collar up. Shows that he is suave and sophisticated. He is buying a ticket at the stalls, he is a man of leisure, doesn’t take life too seriously and appreciates the arts. Sound We still hear the diagetic orchestra music playing, which creates a sense of excitement even though its quieter now. Its quietens to tell us that something else is going to happen. We hear dialogue from the mysterious man to the ticket seller “ A ticket please” this gives us not a lot of information but a bit more then before. Its straight to the point and shows he's a direct speaking person. Camera Shots At this point the camera is positioned in one place, face a ticket vendor. However the angle is canted telling us that there is more then meets the eye. A shadow appears on the wall that gradually gets bigger but the camera doesn’t move. Using shadows in films is a stereotypical way of creating mystery and intrigue. We then see a midshot of the middle half of his body. We are being offered more clues into who the man is without actually being told who he is.

6. Third Image of men on stage

7. Mise En Scene Set in a lavish theatre with traditional curtains on stage giving us a clue to the time period Two men on stage both wearing suits. They are of the same status and this is a formal occasion. They represent a classic comedy duo. The audience members are all dressed formally suggesting elegance and that you have to be upper class to get a ticket. We can see cigarette smoke which also links to it being in thee 1930s. As nowadays you can not smoke indoors at public venues. Sound The underscore of music stops and we now hear the diagetic sound of the audience clapping. This tells us that the show is about to start and builds up excitement even more. We hear a man say ‘Ladies and gentlemen” which sets up the mood as formal and sophisticated. Then one of the audience shouts out ‘how remarkable’ which juxtaposes what has been said before and sets the mood to be humorous. Which is a the stereotypical quality of a Hitchcock thriller. Is that the mood starts as humorous and right through the film there are comedic elements Camera Shots

8. Editing This film was made much before computer editing, it would have been hand edited. As a result you don’t see much artistic editing or use of different style. Everything is continuous editing that sticks to a linear narrative. This also creates an almost rhythmical effect, as there are only five noticeable edits in the first 3 minutes which seem to happen in time with the music. Every time there's a loud clash in the music. It also keeps the suspense of guessing who this man is. If there were to be lots of edits it may disorientate the viewer, this is simple editing but also effective. We are being taken slowly into this glamorous world of theatre and comedy.