This months Classic Cinema offering is in honour of Alan Helm who along with a gang of other supporters a managed to save the Empire from a possible shutdown in the late 1970’s. And the film that was the first film screened when it eventually re-opened on November 27th 1978 was The 39 Steps which was released that year and the films star Robert Powell even attended the relaunch! Alan Helm passed away recently and his former carers Maggie and Alistair Jennings passed on to The Empire an absolute treasure trove of amazing memorabilia about the cinema. We are hoping to display this in and around the cinema as a testament to both Alan and the staying power of all the volunteers over the years who work tirelessly to keep The Empire going for all our wonderful patrons to enjoy!
All that aside, the film is an absolute gem and few thrillers burst with old fashioned zest like The Thirty Nine Steps, whose breathless energy and elegance instantly remind you why this story is a cornerstone of spy cinema. A classic of the espionage adventure genre, it blends wit, danger, and romance with a confident, crowd pleasing stride.
The film follows innocent Canadian visitor Richard Hannay, wrongly accused of murder and plunged into a shadowy conspiracy involving stolen state secrets and a mysterious organization known as the Thirty Nine Steps. Racing across Britain by train, road, and foot, Hannay must outwit both police and assassins while uncovering the truth behind the plot. The storytelling favours momentum, clever twists, and sharp dialogue, while its clean visual style and brisk pacing echo classic Hitchcockian suspense. Themes of identity, paranoia, and ordinary individuals rising to heroism give the film enduring appeal.
Robert Powell anchors the film with charm and intelligence, fresh from his iconic turn in Jesus of Nazareth. David Warner brings sinister flair, later unforgettable in Titanic and Tron, while George Baker adds gravitas, known to Bond fans from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Audiences and critics alike praised the film for honouring its roots while delivering polished entertainment.
The film will be preceded by a short introduction by a member of the Halstead Empire team on why the film is regarded as a classic, some great trivia and interesting things to look out for during the screening. Come join us and celebrate The Empire, its volunteers and of course enjoy the absolute bona-fide British Classic that is The 39 Steps where it belongs back on the big screen.
You might like The 39 Steps if you enjoyed North By Northwest (1959) and Saboteur(1942).
