U.S. version condensed to 2 reels, presented by E.W. Hammons, with story and narration by Lowell Thomas, entitled "Wings Over Mt. Everest", copyright 19 July 1935 by Skibo Productions, Inc.
U.K. release through Gaumont British Picture Corp. Ltd. Original running time around 60 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: The story of the Houston-Mount Everest Flight. For the purposes of the film, the material from the three flights — two over Mount Everest by Lord Clydesdale and the other over Kanchenjunga by Air Commodore Fellowes — have been combined into one.
NOTES: As the American copyright has now expired, I expect this one to join other Hammons material on an Alpha DVD.
COMMENT: Fascinating. The Houston-Mt Everest flight has passed so far back into history it is now forgotten. Nonetheless this documentary is now so captivating on at least two levels it fully deserved its 1994 airing on Australian national TV.
Firstly, of course, is the specter of the flight itself with its stunning aerial photography and remarkably skillful film editing. Secondly is the sociological aspect. The expedition — its impetus and staffing — is a solidly upper-crust affair, very much a cultural and social activity of the British aristocracy.
As a reflection of this aristocracy's Empire-leaning and Kiplingesque attitudes in the mid-1930s when its rights and privileges, its ability to give and show leadership were simply taken for granted, "Wings Over Everest" is a compelling record, not only of the flight itself, but of the social mores associated with it.
U.K. release through Gaumont British Picture Corp. Ltd. Original running time around 60 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: The story of the Houston-Mount Everest Flight. For the purposes of the film, the material from the three flights — two over Mount Everest by Lord Clydesdale and the other over Kanchenjunga by Air Commodore Fellowes — have been combined into one.
NOTES: As the American copyright has now expired, I expect this one to join other Hammons material on an Alpha DVD.
COMMENT: Fascinating. The Houston-Mt Everest flight has passed so far back into history it is now forgotten. Nonetheless this documentary is now so captivating on at least two levels it fully deserved its 1994 airing on Australian national TV.
Firstly, of course, is the specter of the flight itself with its stunning aerial photography and remarkably skillful film editing. Secondly is the sociological aspect. The expedition — its impetus and staffing — is a solidly upper-crust affair, very much a cultural and social activity of the British aristocracy.
As a reflection of this aristocracy's Empire-leaning and Kiplingesque attitudes in the mid-1930s when its rights and privileges, its ability to give and show leadership were simply taken for granted, "Wings Over Everest" is a compelling record, not only of the flight itself, but of the social mores associated with it.