The auction scene in North By North West is the scene of which every thing comes together. Roger Thornhill realises that his love interest in the film is an alliance to 'Mr Townsend.'.This is also one of the more memorable scenes from the Alfred Hitchcock production. As Roger Thornhill enters the venue of the auction, the camera cuts to 'Mr Townsend' having his hand around Eve Kendall's  neck... at this point the camera .Shot changes from close range to long range and then to a pan shot in a very smooth transition  The dialogue in this scene is more important that any thing else. A lot of the tension relies on the conversations and the delivery of the dialogue. the panning camera finally stops at Roger Thornhill at the entrance.as the camera tacks roger Thornhill to the place where 'Mr Townsend' and co are seated he initiates dialogue by saying "The three of you together, now that is the picture only Charles Adams could draw", this is a very subtle way of addressing his disgust and surprise at the people actively trying to kill him.
as the scene progresses Roger Thornhill throws a few witty insults in the direction of Eve Kendall and 'Mr Townsend', for example as Eve Kendall explains that Mr Thornhill followed her to her room. he follows up quickly with the comment "doesn't everyone" which is very insulting to a woman particularly in the time of which this film was made another example of this is when he says to 'Mr Townsend' "I didn't realise you were an art .collector, I just thought you collected corpses". This is a slick remark about the attempts made by 'Mr Townsend' to kill Roger Thornhill. As the auction continues Roger Thornhill continues his slandering of Eve Kendall as she sits still trying to maintain her composure. Immediately after 'Mr Townsend comments about the different roles that Roger Thornhill seems to be playing in regards to his mistaken identity and ends his statement by saying "Seems to me you could stand a little less training from the FBI and a little more from the Actors studio".Roger Thornhill fires back by replying "The only performance that will satisfy you is when I play dead". Then 'Mr Townsend' replies by giving  one of the most classy and witty death threats by saying "Your very next role, You'll be quite convincing i assure you". as the scene progresses Roger Thornhill realises that his only refuge is in the hands of the police so he causes disruption to the point of which the police have to take him into custody to escape his death.