da Hitchcock ting

Under the strong influence of Alfred Hitchcock, thrillers often begin with a crime and the accusation of an innocent bystander. Were the accused to contact the authorities, no doubt the case coul be promptly solved, but instead the poor bystander runs from the law thus further jeopardizing life and limb.' - Rick Altman - Film/Genre. 

Some examples - 'The 39 Steps' - 1935, 'North by Northwest' - 1959.

"[In]...The thirty-nine steps... suspense films abandon both thrills and suspense. When the falsely accused character finally reaches safety." - Rick Altman (Again).