"That's funny, that plane's dustin' crops where there ain't no crops"
Usually when a film criticism outlet runs a Top 100 list, it's a sign of a desperation grab for new readers during a slow editorial month. So by golly, how slow must June have been for Empire to run a 1001 Greatest Movie Moments Feature in their latest issue? Whenever Obsessed With Film runs a Top 100 or Top 1000 anything, be sure to throw these words back into my face and bring me up on this issue. Anyway, according to the list, Cary Grant rigidly running, from the shootings of a crop duster in the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock classic North by Northwest, probably the first bit of exercise he got in any of his movies up until that point is the greatest movie moment of all time. I don't know who compiled the list, but they deserve some kudos for A) a pretty damn good choice and B) for telling us the moment occurs at exactly 01:08:44.
"Even Hitchcock knew the scene made no sense at all. After all, if you've lured your quarry all the way to a lonely bus stop, why not simply shoot him?"But of course that is the genius of North by Northwest, as it's a fantasy comedy/thriller, based on the idea of over the top theatre play. It's a movie about mistaken identity, and play-acting to the 100th degree. Later in the movie, Cary Grant's advertising salesman, a profession we don't need reminding is all about moral deception tells the villainous James Mason....
"The only performance that will satisfy you is when I play dead."Such fun when it comes from the mouths of such a legend like Cary Grant. Here's the crop dusting scene for your enjoyment...