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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Thriller | War

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Certificate:

Approved

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several scenes were filmed at Brooklands, the Clubhouse and the banking are clearly visible. When the Ministry Dragon Rapide comes into land, a Wellington is just visible in the background. The test plane appears to be an Airspeed Oxford; other planes were Tiger Moths and Gypsy Moths, and possibly a Bristol Fighter (just the engine and propeller are seen).

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Goofs

When Major Hammond goes to Sonia's dressing room, a shadow of the camera can be seen as it tracks down the line of other actresses sitting at their dressing tables.

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Quotes

Tony McVane: You're pretty fresh, for a new girl.
Kay: New things should always be fresh.

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Soundtracks

Title Music
(uncredited)
from The Private Life of the Gannets (1934)
Music by Muir Mathieson

User Reviews

Classic British wartime romp

When newly developed planes being disappearing during testing with no trace a police Inspector and a test pilot begin to look into the possibility of espionage within the company.

Wartime dramas are very much of a standard affair – feel good affairs where we beat the Germans. This is very much one of those – the story is very flimsy and unlikely but it manages to have plenty to commend it. The story is carry by the comedy and the characters that make you overlook the sheer unlikely way in which the planes vanish. The story progresses to the inevitable shootout between the Brits and the Germans but on the way there's plenty to enjoy.

The film is mainly saved by a wonderful performance by Ralph Richardson as the inspector – he is funny from the first scene and his character is wonderfully charming and forgetful. Olivier is also good, but it's not his best! The supporting cast of sassy women and foolish businessmen also add to the mix to make for an enjoyable romp.

Overall this isn't a classic but the comedy and a superb Richardson makes this better than the sum of it's parts.