Crime in the Clouds (1937)
"Fly Away Baby" (original title)

Torchy Blane solves a murder and smuggling case during a round-the-world flight.

Director:

Frank McDonald

Writers:

Don Ryan (screen play), Kenneth Gamet (screen play),

Stars:

Glenda Farrell, Barton MacLane, Gordon Oliver

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Glenda Farrell	...	Torchy Blane
Barton MacLane	...	Steve McBride
Gordon Oliver	...	Lucien 'Sonny' Croy
Hugh O'Connell	...	Hughie Sprague
Marcia Ralston	...	Ila Sayre
Tom Kennedy	...	Gahagan
Joe King	...	Mr. Guy Allister (as Joseph King)
Raymond Hatton	...	Maxie Monkhouse
Gordon Hart	...	Mr. Sills
Anderson Lawler	...	Alexander L. Torey
Harry Davenport	...	Colonel Higgam
Emmett Vogan	...	Clifford Vance
George Guhl	...	Desk Sergeant

Storyline

Torchy and Steve are investigating a murder/jewel theft with roots in Germany. She lobbies her publisher to underwrite her participation in an around-the-world airplane race because arrogant businessman 'Sonny' Croy will be a participant. Not only is he a prime suspect in the case, but the international itinerary includes Frankfort, Germany.

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Plot Keywords:

businessman | prime suspect | torchy blane | airplane | murder | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

19 June 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fly-Away Baby

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The famous Broadway columnist, What's My Line? star and possible murder victim Dorothy Kilgallen contributed to the script of this film. It is (very) loosely based on her participation in an around the world air race, as chronicled in Lee Israel's excellent book, "Kilgallen."

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Quotes

Lt. Steve 'Skipper' McBride: Why don't you stop trying to be a detective?
Torchy Blane: [Sassily] Why don't you start?

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Connections

Followed by Torchy Blane in Chinatown (1939)

User Reviews

Globe-trotting tale boiled down to fit into cute one-hour detective comedy

Lieutenant Steve McBride (Barton McLane) stalks away from reporter and girlfriend Torchy Blane (Glenda Farrell). "You've wasted all of my time that you're gonna," he growls back at her. "From now on I handle this case alone."

–Of course, Steve should know better…it's clear by this point that Skipper (as she affectionately calls him) probably wouldn't get anywhere without Torchy's persistent "interference." Glenda Farrell is excellent in this second Torchy Blane series mystery. Perky, pesky, self-assured—Farrell is perfect as the adventurous newshound. McLane is good, too as the affectionate but gruff detective.

The case begins with a diamond robbery and the murder of a jeweler. The leading suspect, at least in Torchy's book, is a rival publisher's son, who is about to embark on a round the world trip as a publicity stunt. On the spur of the moment, Torchy decides to follow him—as does a third reporter, and they all talk their publishers into promoting it as a race.

Also on the trip is Sergeant Gahagan (Tom Kennedy), Steve's one-time driver who has actually quit the police force to set out on a secret new career. Gahagan must have made a hit in the first Torchy picture, because his role here—the lumbering cop with the heart of a Romantic—is much expanded.

Some neat stock footage of foreign locales, ships, airplanes and even a zeppelin add interest; the plot, while it covers a lot of geography, is admittedly pretty basic. In any case, it's the trio of main characters—especially Torchy—who are the main attraction in this very enjoyable comedy-mystery.