FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Feb. 20, 2008
CONTACT:  Jay D. Vogt, (605) 773-3458, Jay.Vogt@state.sd.us

State Historical Society seeking material on North by Northwest

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota State Historical Society is seeking material on the 1959 movie North by Northwest, filmed in part in the Black Hills. 

An Alfred Hitchcock suspense film starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, North by Northwest is a story of an advertising executive mistaken for a government agent by a gang of spies. He is pursued across the country, with the climax of the film taking place at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

In 1958, Hitchcock filmed for three days in the Black Hills, primarily in Rapid City and at Mount Rushmore. The State Historical Society is interested in collecting materials associated with the filming of the movie in South Dakota. Memorabilia, home movies, photographs, anything that would help tell the story of the filming of the movie.

The State Historical Society is cooperating with St. Mary’s College of Maryland, The Public Honors College, which is doing a documentary film project on North by Northwest. Assistant Professor Leon Wiebers, a South Dakota native, is heading the film project. 

“This is a great opportunity for the State Historical Society to collaborate with an academic institution in the preservation of social culture,” said Jay D. Vogt, Director of the State Historical Society. “One step in this process is gathering as much information as we can find about North by Northwest. Many people may have things put away in drawers in their homes that relate to the filming of the movie in South Dakota. We ask that they contact us.”

Anyone with information or material to donate on the filming of the movie North by Northwest is asked to contact State Archivist Chelle Somsen, Chelle.Somsen@state.sd.us, 605-773-3804 or Museum Director Helen B Louise, Helen.Louise@state.sd.us, 605-773-3458 or stop by the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center at 900 Governors Drive in Pierre.