<P> North by Northwest is a tale of mistaken identity, with an innocent man pursued across the United States by agents of a mysterious organization trying to prevent him from blocking their plan to smuggle out microfilm that contains government secrets . This is one of several Hitchcock films that features a music score by Bernard Herrmann and an opening title sequence by graphic designer Saul Bass . This film is generally cited as the first to feature extended use of kinetic typography in its opening credits . </P> <P> North by Northwest is listed among the canonical Hitchcock films of the 1950s and is often listed as being among the greatest films of all time . It was selected in 1995 for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress, as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". </P> <P> At a New York City hotel bar in 1958, two thugs looking for a "George Kaplan" see a waiter calling out for him at the same time advertising executive Roger Thornhill summons the waiter . Thornhill is then mistaken for "George Kaplan" and is kidnapped . Thornhill is brought to the Long Island estate of Lester Townsend and is interrogated by spy Phillip Vandamm . Despite Thornhill denying he is George Kaplan, Vandamm thinks he is lying and has his henchman Leonard arrange Thornhill's death in a staged drunken driving accident . Thornhill manages to miraculously steer away from danger but is soon arrested for driving under the influence . </P> <P> The next morning, Thornhill tries but fails to convince his mother and the police that he had been kidnapped and forcibly inebriated . Journeying to the scene of the crime with police, a woman at Townsend's home, presumed to be Mrs. Townsend, says he showed up drunk at her dinner party . She also informs them that Townsend is a United Nations diplomat . While searching Kaplan's hotel room with his mother, Thornhill answers a phone call from the thugs who are in the hotel lobby . He escapes and visits the U.N. General Assembly building to meet Townsend . He discovers that Townsend is not the man he met on Long Island, and that Townsend is a widower . As Thornhill questions Townsend, one of the thugs throws a knife, hitting Townsend in the back, killing him . Thornhill catches Townsend as he falls and grabs the knife, giving the appearance that he murdered Townsend . Thornhill flees and attempts to find the real Kaplan . </P>

Where was roger thornhill's identity mistaken in north by northwest