Introduction

As the intermediate film between Vertigo and Psycho, Hitchcock’s North by Northwest may seem to be a comical and amusing vacation from the preceding and proceeding intense psychological thrillers. The role of Roger O. Thornhill is played by an actor who debuted and prospered through his comedic talents. In this film, Cary Grant uses these talents to comment on the power of a driving economic force within the American society of the 1950’s: advertisement. Hitchcock portrays the power of advertisement through the presence of consumerism, the importance of music, and the effect of characters taking on various roles to play.

Although Roger O. Thornhill helps to create a society of consumption as Madison Avenue advertising man, he is not apart of the consumer society at large.