Clouds Over Europe (1939)

A quirky British Secret Service Agent named Major Hammond tries to discover who is using a secret weapon to steal experimental planes.

Directors:

Tim Whelan, Arthur B. Woods (uncredited)

Writers:

Brock Williams (original story), Jack Whittingham (original story)

Stars:

Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Valerie Hobson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Laurence Olivier	...	Tony McVane
Ralph Richardson	...	Major Charles Hammond
Valerie Hobson	...	Kay Hammond
George Curzon	...	Jenkins
George Merritt	...	Barrett
Gus McNaughton	...	Blenkinsop
David Tree	...	Robert Mackenzie
Sandra Storme	...	Daphne
Hay Petrie	...	Stage Door Keeper
Frank Fox	...	Karl
George Butler	...	Air Marshall Gosport
Gordon McLeod	...	The Baron
John Longden	...	Peters (as John Longdon)

Storyline

Experimental aircraft of several countries are mysteriously vanishing during test flights over the sea. The latest is British, and Hammond of the Secret Service, comical but competent, investigates undercover. Also interested is waitress Kay, a disguised reporter, and Hammond's sister. The government and plane manufacturer Barrett think the whole business is just coincidence, but the "Viking", ostensible salvage ship controlled by a foreign power, has much to do with it.

---

Plot Keywords:

spy | ship | british secret service | war preparedness | propaganda | 

---

Taglines:

See the star of hit "Wuthering Heights"...in a thrill packed romantic drama!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Thriller | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The destroyer sent to intercept the S.S. Viking is the H.M.S. Echo (H23). This was one of nine E-class destroyers of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1934. During World War II, she sank a U-boat in 1943, and was transferred to the Greek Navy in 1944.

---

Goofs

When Tony mans the machine gun, he sprays the enemy crew with gunfire. Some of the crew are right in front of the plane, so the plane should be riddled with bullet holes, but no bullet holes can be seen.

---

Quotes

Major Charles Hammond: Mr Barrett, you're wasted here. With your genius for sitting on either side of the fence you ought to be in the government, were it not for your resilience, which denotes a remarkable career as a tennis ball.

---

Soundtracks

Title Music
(uncredited)
from South Riding (1938)
Music by Richard Addinsell

User Reviews

Very pleasant classic, never mind the little perforations.

A 'Korda Collection' classic film and I shan't part with my videocassette - 'Tiger' comic script and stilted dialogue notwithstanding. Doesn't even matter that McVane appears to take off in a different airplane to that which is captured and seen in flight. Only trouble with Valerie Hobson is she retired too early.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 June 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Clouds Over Europe

Filming Locations:

Brooklands Aerodrome, Weybridge, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Irving Asher Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1