Radio review – Lux – “The 39 Steps” (1937) **

Robert Montgomery and Ida Lupino are poorly cast and too American for this adaptation of the Hitchcock version of Buchan’s novel (cf Orson Welles’ version which was more faithful to Buchan). They do remove some classic bits – the encounter with the milk man, the made up political speech – and you get the feeling the piece is only comfortable with Montgomery and Lupino bantering. If you like them you’ll enjoy this, otherwise give it a miss.