<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> 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>
where was roger thornhill 's identity mistaken in north by northwest
where was roger thornhill 's identity mistaken in north by northwest
a New York City hotel bar
a New York City hotel bar