Josh Nallathambi - Core Post 2

In Steven Cohan’s chapter on Roger Thornhill in Masked Men, the critical point of his argument is that the reason North by Northwest stands out is because of how it goes against typical gender norms of classic Hollywood films. To Cohan, Thornhill’s character is directly in contrast with the typical masculine protagonists of other comparable Hitchcock thrillers. I believe that the element that contributes the most to this is the casting of Cary Grant to play Thornhill. Having Grant, an established Hollywood icon known for his charm, good looks, and confident body language gave the viewer the indication that Roger Thornhill would be a suave, action-ready hero. In the first act of North by Northwest, you somewhat believe that Thornhill is really playing an act, and that he really is George Kaplan. He’s Cary Grant, why would he be acting as a confused random businessman? Even in the famous crop-duster scene, it’s strange to see Grant frantically run in his perfectly tailored suit. You’d imagine someone of his star power to be the one firing the gun, not evading the gunshots.

But the juxtaposition in casting allows for a new social current to be stated by Hitchcock, as Cohan touches on in his chapter. Thornhill’s character creates a fresh new male protagonist, one that doesn’t have to conform or rely on the typical requirements of 50s and Production Code era masculinity. Thornhill can be the central hero of the story while still being its most clueless character.

Another interesting point Cohan makes is how Eva Marie Saint’s character of Eve Kendall role as a femme fatale is. She takes the role that you would expect Cary Grant to play. It’s an interesting twist that Thornhill is randomly caught up in Kendall’s web of drama and danger, something that is the opposite of other spy and action thrillers. Can you imagine James Bond just being caught up in Honey Ryder’s spy and terrorism connections? In the action genre, it’s been extremely typical to see the female characters completely dependent on the male lead’s development and characterization to further their own story. North by Northwest makes its mark by erasing the gendered expectations of leads in an otherwise formulaic genre.