Q Planes (1939)
1h 22m | PG-13
In England, an eccentric police inspector, an earnest test pilot and a spunky female reporter team up to solve the mystery of a series of test aircraft which have disappeared without a trace while over the ocean on their maiden flights; unaware, as they are, that a spy ring has been shooting the planes down with a ray machine hidden aboard a salvage vessel which is on hand to haul the downed aircraft aboard, crews and all.
Director: Tim Whelan
Studio: Irving Asher Productions
Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Thriller, Science Fiction
Video: 720p
Cast
Ralph Richardson
as Maj. Charles Hammond
Laurence Olivier
as Tony McVane
Valerie Hobson
as Kay Lawrence
George Merritt
as Mr. Barrett
George Curzon
as Jenkins
Roy Emerton
as Viking First Mate
Reviews
When aircraft with secret gadgets aboard start disappearing all around the globe, "Maj. Hammond" (Ralph Richardson) reckons that there is something suspicious going on. His investigations - frequently interfered with by his aspiring journalist sister "Kay" (Valerie Hobson) - eventually, despite scepticism from the latest aircraft's manufacturers, manage to enrol budding pilot "McVane" (Laurence Olivier) into his cunning plan to identify and bring the perpetrators to book... As a story, it's all a bit far-fetched, but what gives it quite an edge is the really quirky - almost improv. style of delivery from Richardson. He doesn't exactly speak directly to camera, but much of his effort in this breezy espionage thriller appears more directly aimed at us (and his long-suffering butler "Blenkinsop" (Gus McNaughton)). That creates quite an enjoyable intimacy that, coupled, with quite a quickly paced series of scenarios and a better the average performance from the frequently too aloof Hobson to make for quite a fun 80-odd minutes. Even Olivier manages to shake off some of his traditionally rigid style on occasion, though it's never that far away, before an action packed denouement invoking a ray gun, a destroyer and... Ralph's umbrella! It's a hybrid of genres this, and at times is a bit of a mess - but I actually quite enjoyed it, and I'd give it a go.