Transatlantic Tunnel (1935)

A team of international scientists and engineers attempts to build a tunnel under the ocean.

Director:

Maurice Elvey

Writers:

Bernhard Kellermann (novel) (as B. Kellermann), Curt Siodmak (screen story) (as Kurt Siodmak)

Stars:

Richard Dix, Leslie Banks, Madge Evans

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Dix	...	Richard McAllan
Leslie Banks	...	Frederick Robbins
Madge Evans	...	Ruth McAllan
Helen Vinson	...	Varlia Lloyd
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Lloyd
Basil Sydney	...	Mostyn
Henry Oscar	...	Grellier
Hilda Trevelyan	...	Mary
Cyril Raymond	...	Harriman
Jimmy Hanley	...	Geoffrey McAllan
George Arliss	...	Prime Minister of Great Britain (as Mr. George Arliss)
Walter Huston	...	President of the United States (as Mr. Walter Huston)

Storyline

Engineers Richard McAllan and Frederick Robinson manage to get financial backing for a gigantic project to build a tunnel from England to America. His biggest supporter is Varlia Lloyd, daughter of one of the backers, and she uses her influence more than once to keep the project going. Mack's wife Ruth is also supportive, although his constantly being away on the tunnel project strains their marriage, and affects his relationship with their son. After years of financial skulduggery and physical obstacles under the ocean floor, the tunnel proceeds as Mack's marriage and his friendship with Robbie deteriorate.

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Plot Keywords:

tunnel builder | drilling machine | transatlantic tunnel | london england | troubled marriage | 

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Taglines:

The next wonder of the world is the wonder of the movie world

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1935 (UK)

Also Known As:

Transatlantic Tunnel

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont British Picture Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Full Range Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film takes place in the 1940s.

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Quotes

Varlia Lloyd: You don't like him do you?
Mostyn: One likes human beings.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the opening credits, a card comes up with "Gaumont-British Picture Corpn. Ltd. were fortunate in securing the services of Mr. George Arliss and Mr. Walter Huston for the parts of Prime Minister of Great Britain and President of the United States."

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Connections

Version of Le tunnel (1933)

User Reviews

Eye-Popping SFX and Elaborate Production Highlight Early Sci-Fi

Visually quite Impressive, this Depression Era Sci-Fi Film is one of the few in the Genre outside Kid-Stuff Serials, because Science Fiction never Really Caught On until the Fifties. It nicely Aligns with "Metropolis" (1927), "Just Imagine" (1930), and "Things to Come" (1936).

It seems a bit Early to Wear its War Paranoia so Heavily and Much is Made about how a Transatlantic Tunnel Uniting Britain and America will Stem the Tide of another World War and makes the Case that it will End War altogether.

Much Melodrama concerning the Incredible Feat of Construction. The Cost in terms of Dollars and Human Lives. The Strength of the Movie however is the Eye-Popping SFX. The Art-Deco Set Designs are Amazing and the Slick Production is Top-Notch and Enthralls, Excites, and Captivates at Every Turn.

Two-Way "skype" Like Television Screens of All Sizes Populate the Picture and there is Some Attempt to Show Futuristic Aircraft and Automobiles. The Over Baked Drama is Almost Deadly at Times with its Heavy Handed British Style Acting, and Subplots Concerning Family Strife and Capitalism, but Not Enough to Take Away from the Overall Enjoyment of the Spectacle.

Overall, Recommended Despite the Melodramatics. It Remains an Eye-Candy Treat for Young and Old and Looks as Good as Any British Film of the Era.