User Reviews

It's in the Air (1938) is a mistaken identity outing with a wholly unbelievable (and therefore totally unfunny) climax, but many really amusing moments in between, particularly the run-ins that George has with Julien Mitchell (the sergeant major) and Garry Marsh (the commanding officer).

Alas, the juvenile practical joker of a corporal played by Jack Hobbs is far less funny and gradually wears out his welcome. On the other hand, Polly Ward makes a nice if somewhat nondescript heroine.

Disappointingly, George has time for only three songs in this one: the forgettable, if patriotic, title number "It's in the Air", and the far more typically humorous, musical outings, "They Can't Fool Me" and "Our Sergeant-Major".

Oddly, although it's extremely British and totally flag-waving and almost embarrassingly patriotic, and would be regarded by most of his fans as definitely not one of George Formby's really amusing outings (or even one of his second best triumphs), this movie was one of only two of Formby's motion pictures released in the U.S.A. The title was changed from "It's in the Air" to "George Takes the Air". (Another 10/10 Optimum DVD). It was preceded in U.S. release by "Let George Do It".

As said, this movie was once available on an excellent Optimum DVD, but does not seem to be still in circulation.

I know this sounds ridiculous (or pseudo-intellectual) but watching this reminded me of the writings of Franz Kafka! Poor old George borrows a uniform to (as he thinks) help a pal by delivering a forgotten dispatch to an RAF station. As soon as he arrives he is in the system and unable to leave the airfield. The more he tries to escape the more he gets tangled in service life, waiting for more dispatches, being drilled as a new recruit and taking part in emergency exercises. Eventually, of course, he ends up at the controls of an aeroplane (a Hawker Hart light bomber I think). It is simply assumed that he *is* Bob Bullock and he loses his identity completely. Think what some French intellectuals such as Barthes or Foucault would have made of this situation!

Any sane person will see this for what it is of course, the basis for a lot of fun and songs. One song - "They can't fool me" - is very risqué indeed, take this description of a pair of lovers: "She giggles when he hugs her tight, when she's kissed she laughs outright. She had convulsions late last night, they can't fool me". Steady on, George!

Yes there was something in the air. England was close to Germany and ,well I'm just guessing , was preparing for war. Little did England know that it would receive a surprise attack from Hitler a few more years.George Formby was a lanky comedian , singer and actor. He was plain face with kind of buck teeth. You can say he was the Joe E. Brown of England . He was noted for getting his wife to help him get out of social obligations , for his career.This created an impression that she was bossy and dominant. But this was a way for him to keep his life private. He was tired after work and just wanted to go home.George plays George Brown, who fails his home guard test. When his friend Bob. played by Frank Leighton,comes home for a furlough, to be with his fiancé, Ann, played by Ilena Sylva,and to visit his parents , after working in the r.a.f. as a mail carrier. George notices that he forgot to send an important message to the air force base.Encourage by Ann, so Bob won't get court marshaled, George decides to pretend to be him and take the message to them. His pet dog follows him. He ends up getting stuck in he base and has to wait until one of the officials finishes a letter he suppose to take. He ends up in twisted and funny situations. Every one thinking he is in the air force. He then meets Sergeant Major, played by Julien Mitchell,he force to stay in the base after he insults sergeant with a song from his Banjoe .Major makes him stay so he will report him the next day. The next day forgetting what the song he sang ,George, makes up a positive version, so he's let out.The Sergeants Daughter ,Peggy, played by Polly Ward, who works at the canteen, finds out he's not in the air force so she does things to help George to get out. One of her admires finds out but's willing to keep it a secret too and helping him to do what he suppose to do in the r.a.f..George falls in love with Peggy. Well Bob comes back and now Peggy get's him to leave, once Bob Finds out. But Peggy's admirer thinks she's in love with George and now he's going to tell. Instead of leaving, George ends up piloting the plane,very sloppy. Everyone knows he is a fake and plans to throw him in jail,but they have to get him down first. Peggy helps him to land. As they are about to send him to jail some one changes their mind and puts him in the air force. Very funny film worth collecting. 11/11/11