UK, 1937
69m, 1972.66 metres, 7 reel
35mm film, black and white, 1.37:1
mono, English
A British science fiction film directed by Robert Stevenson.
Plot Summary
A year into the future, passengers on a non-stop flight to New York become involved in a murder mystery.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: Robert Stevenson
© [not given on screen]
General Film Distributors Ltd. A Gaumont British production. Controlled through the world excluding U.S.A. by General Film Distributors Ltd London
Screen Play: Roland Pertwee, J.O.C. Orton
Additional Dialogue: E.V.H. Emmett
Based Upon the novel Sky Steward by: Ken Attiwill
Photography: Mutz Greenbaum
Editor: Al Barnes
Musical Director: Louis Levy
Recordist: A.C. O’Donoghue
Dresses: Norman Hartnell
Art Director: Walter Murton
[Made] At: Shepherd’s Bush, London
Cast
John Loder (Inspector Jim Grant)
Anna Lee (Jennie Carr)
Francis Sullivan (Hugo Brant)
Frank Cellier (Sam Pryor)
Desmond Tester (Arnold James)
Athene Seyler (Aunt Veronica)
William Dewhurst (Mortimer)
Drusilla Wills (Mrs Carr)
Jerry Verno (steward)
James Pirrie (Billy Cooper)
Ellen Pollock (Miss Harvey)
Arthur Goullet (Abel)
Peter Bull (Spurgeon)
Tony Quinn (Harrigan)
H.G. Stoker (captain)
Alternative Titles
La tragedia del K2 – Italy
El transatlántico de la muerte – Spain
Press
1937
Monthly Film Bulletin vol.4 no.45 (September 1937) p.191
Here is an exciting story, well told, and, with one exception, well acted. Robert Stevenson has directed with imagination and tremendous pace, the dialogue is extremely good and the result is an outstanding film of its kind. As the boy violinist Desmond Tester steals the picture with a delightful comedy performance, while Francis L. Sullivan is Laughton-sinister as Brandt, and Frank Cellier is an excellent Sam Pryor. The weakness of the film is Anna Lee (Jennie) whose acting is poor. Settings and photography are good, particularly in the air liner. – from a review by A.P.
References
Periodicals
- Film Weekly vol.19 no.476 (27 November 1937) p.29 – credits, review
- Kinematograph Weekly no.1587 (16 September 1937) – credits, review
- Kinematograph Weekly no.2086 (24 April 1947) – credits, review
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.4 no.45 (September 1937) p.191 – credits, synopsis, review
Books
- The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Science Fiction by Phil Hardy (ed) p.99
- British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928-1959 by David Quinlan p.122 – credits, synopsis
- Horror and Science Fiction Films II by Donald C. Willis p.285
- Reference Guide to Fantastic Films by Walt Lee p.339 – credits
- Vintage Science Fiction Films, 1896-1949 by Michael Benson p.167
