The young Oliver and Richardson -- especially Richardson -- are obviously having a ball in this mix of spies, high adventure, and tongue in cheek comedy According to Michael Powell, the two stars tore up the script, and devised their own scenes, and the pleasure they have in sending up the material, and in each other's work, shines through. (In fact, once or twice, Oliver seems to be trying not to crack up at Richardson's antics.) Patrick Macnee says he based The Avengers' John Steed on Richardson's character in this film, and that, too, shows. Thrills, spills,secret rays, gags and eccentric British characters, and villains from a country suspiciously reminiscent of Germany, but not named in 1938.
27 Reviews
Who Is Stealing The Airships of Great Britain?
bkoganbing6 June 2007
Some 20 years before Ian Fleming started writing about these things, it's nice to know that the British Secret Service was on the job and apprehending spies and saboteurs even if they're a bit slow to catch on at times.
With a little inside help from the air plant, some Teutonic looking gentleman have perfected a ray that immobilizes airships and brings them down real nice on the ocean. No trace of about four warships has been found at all or their crews. It's of concern to test pilot Laurence Olivier, to British agent Ralph Richardson, and to news reporter Valerie Hobson.
Hobson and Richardson are brother and sister. As you can imagine his job involves secrecy and undercover work and Hobson's from the Lois Lane school of journalism. Family dinners must really be something in that family. She also falls for Olivier while she's undercover working as a waitress at a coffee shop near the plane factory.
Q Planes must have been seen as wildly fantastic by the 1939 audience, but two generations who saw Sean Connery and Roger Moore engage in even wilder derring-do than is shown in this film, would regard Q Planes as all in a day's work.
Olivier and Hobson are fine, but Richardson steals the film whenever he's on screen. Q Planes will never be ranked as in the top 10 of any of these players, but it's a nice breezy espionage comedy/drama made a lot better by some of the greatest thespian talent in the English speaking world of the last century.
With a little inside help from the air plant, some Teutonic looking gentleman have perfected a ray that immobilizes airships and brings them down real nice on the ocean. No trace of about four warships has been found at all or their crews. It's of concern to test pilot Laurence Olivier, to British agent Ralph Richardson, and to news reporter Valerie Hobson.
Hobson and Richardson are brother and sister. As you can imagine his job involves secrecy and undercover work and Hobson's from the Lois Lane school of journalism. Family dinners must really be something in that family. She also falls for Olivier while she's undercover working as a waitress at a coffee shop near the plane factory.
Q Planes must have been seen as wildly fantastic by the 1939 audience, but two generations who saw Sean Connery and Roger Moore engage in even wilder derring-do than is shown in this film, would regard Q Planes as all in a day's work.
Olivier and Hobson are fine, but Richardson steals the film whenever he's on screen. Q Planes will never be ranked as in the top 10 of any of these players, but it's a nice breezy espionage comedy/drama made a lot better by some of the greatest thespian talent in the English speaking world of the last century.
This is not one of those historically interesting WWII morale builders...
AlsExGal9 December 2017
... instead it is a fun little espionage piece with a witty script with its tongue placed firmly in its cheek. Set during the tense years preceding the outbreak of WWII, the Brits are losing experimental aircraft (the titular Q Planes) in mysterious circumstances, and Ralph Richardson's character is head of a government agency out to discover whats really going on, whilst Valerie Hobson is seemingly a spy for a foreign power, trying none-too-subtly to extract information from a bemused, cynical test pilot played by Laurence Olivier just before he headed off to bigger things.
The tone of the film is set from the initial scene, which opens with a composed, but confused Richardson trying to work out what he's doing in a trashed room, why he's surrounded by police, and what the heck his own name is.
Aside from a fun plot & great cast, there are some neat period aircraft up for viewing, for those with an interest in such things. Some other interesting tidbits that Wikipedia turned up are that airfield shots in the film were filmed at Brooklands (an early center of aviation & motor racing) and that the film was apparently based off actual events where the British government believed that the Germans were behind the downing of an experimental plane over the English Channel, so they helped fund this movie to let the Germans know that they were on to them, without any messy diplomatic unpleasantness being needed.
The tone of the film is set from the initial scene, which opens with a composed, but confused Richardson trying to work out what he's doing in a trashed room, why he's surrounded by police, and what the heck his own name is.
Aside from a fun plot & great cast, there are some neat period aircraft up for viewing, for those with an interest in such things. Some other interesting tidbits that Wikipedia turned up are that airfield shots in the film were filmed at Brooklands (an early center of aviation & motor racing) and that the film was apparently based off actual events where the British government believed that the Germans were behind the downing of an experimental plane over the English Channel, so they helped fund this movie to let the Germans know that they were on to them, without any messy diplomatic unpleasantness being needed.
Politics of the Eccentric
nk_gillen3 June 2004
A secret British aviation project is being disrupted by a foreign power, and intelligence agent Charles Hammond, is assigned the case. What follows is a tense espionage thriller that refuses to take itself seriously. Yet strangely, this odd mixture of screwball comedy and political potboiler actually works.
"Q Planes" (released in the U. S. as "Clouds Over Europe") was directed by an American, Tim Whelan, who establishes an anarchic tone throughout. Here, he satirizes what his contemporaries may have considered too serious a subject to examine lightly. British experimental aircraft are being "electronically" hijacked right out of the sky, and though the culprits' nationality is never identified, you can guess their origin as soon as they speak their lines in that thick Teutonic accent.
The dialogue, much of it written and improvised by the actors themselves, is crackling, smart; and the action, while wildly improbable and clumsily staged, is as unreal and stylized as the characters. The joker in the deck is Hammond himself. As portrayed by Ralph Richardson, he boasts of his own considerable skills as a solver of crimes, a solver of crossword puzzles, and a solver of lovers' squabbles. But despite such brash self-assurance, Hammond is never tedious. Richardson plays him as an eccentric of many shades - horse-racing addict, amateur master chef, verbal wit extraordinaire, constant belittler of his valet (Gus McNaughton), and a man whose obsession with his case causes him to repeatedly ignore his beloved Daphne (Sandra Storme), the single character who bests Hammond in the film's fittingly ironic conclusion.
Hammond is aided on the case by his intrepid sister-reporter, Kay (Valerie Hobson), and a temperamental test-pilot, Tony McVane (Laurence Olivier), whom Kay picks up while snooping around an aircraft factory. Kay's character may have been intended as a caricature of the "liberated" working English suffragette. But she holds her own when competing with her two male cohorts - McVane, who hates reporters and let's rip whenever he hears mention of Kay's profession, and Hammond, the charismatic, ardent egoist-as-detective. "I'm right!" he proclaims to his doubting superiors. "I'm right - and the whole world is wrong!" Naturally, Hammond's irregular method of sleuthing bears out his claim - as if any enemy country could measure up against single representatives of MI-5, Fleet Street, and the RAF.
"Q Planes" (released in the U. S. as "Clouds Over Europe") was directed by an American, Tim Whelan, who establishes an anarchic tone throughout. Here, he satirizes what his contemporaries may have considered too serious a subject to examine lightly. British experimental aircraft are being "electronically" hijacked right out of the sky, and though the culprits' nationality is never identified, you can guess their origin as soon as they speak their lines in that thick Teutonic accent.
The dialogue, much of it written and improvised by the actors themselves, is crackling, smart; and the action, while wildly improbable and clumsily staged, is as unreal and stylized as the characters. The joker in the deck is Hammond himself. As portrayed by Ralph Richardson, he boasts of his own considerable skills as a solver of crimes, a solver of crossword puzzles, and a solver of lovers' squabbles. But despite such brash self-assurance, Hammond is never tedious. Richardson plays him as an eccentric of many shades - horse-racing addict, amateur master chef, verbal wit extraordinaire, constant belittler of his valet (Gus McNaughton), and a man whose obsession with his case causes him to repeatedly ignore his beloved Daphne (Sandra Storme), the single character who bests Hammond in the film's fittingly ironic conclusion.
Hammond is aided on the case by his intrepid sister-reporter, Kay (Valerie Hobson), and a temperamental test-pilot, Tony McVane (Laurence Olivier), whom Kay picks up while snooping around an aircraft factory. Kay's character may have been intended as a caricature of the "liberated" working English suffragette. But she holds her own when competing with her two male cohorts - McVane, who hates reporters and let's rip whenever he hears mention of Kay's profession, and Hammond, the charismatic, ardent egoist-as-detective. "I'm right!" he proclaims to his doubting superiors. "I'm right - and the whole world is wrong!" Naturally, Hammond's irregular method of sleuthing bears out his claim - as if any enemy country could measure up against single representatives of MI-5, Fleet Street, and the RAF.
Fun
blanche-215 July 2011
You really can't go wrong with Ralph Richardson in a cast, and it holds true with "Clouds Over Europe," a 1939 film that also stars Laurence Olivier and Valerie Hobson. It's pre-WW II, and Richardson plays a secret service man in England who is convinced that a series of missing planes from diverse places is no accident. He's convinced the planes are being sabotaged, but by whom, and why? Olivier plays one of the pilots, and he's funny as well as handsome. Valerie Hobson is a reporter in an adversarial relationship with Olivier. She turns out to be related to someone else in the film.
But it's Richardson who steals the show with his eccentric portrayal of Major Charles Hammond, a man who always forgets his umbrella and returns for it. He helps to give this affair a lightheartedness that makes it enjoyable.
Recommended for its very good British cast.
But it's Richardson who steals the show with his eccentric portrayal of Major Charles Hammond, a man who always forgets his umbrella and returns for it. He helps to give this affair a lightheartedness that makes it enjoyable.
Recommended for its very good British cast.
Rollicking good fun
lyn508 February 2004
Everyone involved with this brisk comedy/thriller seems to be enjoying themselves immensely. It's a ripping yarn about spies, disappearing planes and a secret ray gun, lit up by Olivier and Richardson, with lots of cheerful gags along the way. It's dated, of course, but if you can leave that aside it's still good fun.
some light fun with espionage
SnoopyStyle7 May 2022
Policemen raid an apartment to find the place generally ransacked and a Devil-may-care man who claims to have no memory. He's actually wacky British Secret Agent Major Hammond (Ralph Richardson) who is investigating plane manufacturers and possible espionage. He is assisted by his sister Kay and ace pilot Tony McVane (Laurence Olivier).
This delivers some light fun with espionage. It's a little surprising considering the state of the world during that time. The whole place is about to explode into world war in a few months. It's not unforeseen at that time. The subject matter is hitting something real and yet the characters are cracking jokes. I do like the joking aspect but I also wonder if the audience of its day was in the mood.
This delivers some light fun with espionage. It's a little surprising considering the state of the world during that time. The whole place is about to explode into world war in a few months. It's not unforeseen at that time. The subject matter is hitting something real and yet the characters are cracking jokes. I do like the joking aspect but I also wonder if the audience of its day was in the mood.
Hobson's Choice
writers_reign25 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The great Ralph Richardson not only walks away with this film but makes Laurence Olivier look as wooden as Richard Todd, John Gregson, Laurence Harvey and Richard Pasco combined. Both primarily actors in the theatre they had appeared in something like ten or twelve movies apiece (including The Divorce Of Lady X in which they both played) but whilst Richardson is laid-back and thoroughly at home before the camera Olivier is self-conscious in the extreme and about as believable as a pilot as Stan Laurel would be as a thoracic surgeon. It's all very Boy's Own Paper with a fair quota of sloppiness in the writing - no explanation of why Richardson is sleeping in a building that is being raided by police and nothing more said of the raid, for example, plus George Merrit's character - supposedly a hard-headed businessman who has built up an airplane factory yet is portrayed as a buffoon. All this is forgiven whenever Richardson is on screen which, luckily for us - and tough for Olivier - is virtually throughout the running time.
A Ripping Yarn:
robertguttman21 March 2017
Produced before WW-II, this is a sort of British equivalent of the Saturday-matinée thrillers they used to produce in the U.S. by the hundreds in those days. However, this particular example sports A-List British stars Lawrence Olivier, Ralph Richardson and Valerie Hobson. The story involves a nefarious plot by foreign agents to steal the newest British airplanes, and the efforts of an eccentric intelligence agent, a female reporter and a heroic pilot to thwart them. It's strictly comic-book stuff but these three pros, and particularly Ralph Richardson, lift the material up above the level of mediocrity.
This was early in Olivier's career, before he made "Withering Heights", the movie on which he admittedly learned how to act in movies. Olivier was still clearly not entirely at home in front of the camera.
On the other hand, Valerie Hobson was a major British film star and was at the peak of her relatively short career at the time this movie was produced. She retired from acting in the mid 1950s, when she was still only in her thirties.
However, this is clearly Richardson's movie. He is delightfully hilarious as an eccentric British Intelligence agent, and milks every scene he is in for all it is worth. When Richardson and Olivier share the same scene Olivier doesn't stand a chance.
One of my all-time favorite actors, Ralph Richardson was one of those versatile British actors who seemingly could turn his hand to everything, from Shakespearean tragedy to low comedy, with equal grace. And he possessed that incredible voice, the sort that actors don't seem to have anymore. Small wonder that, when Terry Gilliam had to cast an actor to play the role of "The Supreme Being" in "Time Bandits", he chose Ralph Richardson. After all, if there is a God, doesn't it stand to reason that He would have to be something like Ralph Richardson?
If you don't mind checking your mind at the door this is the perfect movie with which to sit back and enjoy some vintage fun.
This was early in Olivier's career, before he made "Withering Heights", the movie on which he admittedly learned how to act in movies. Olivier was still clearly not entirely at home in front of the camera.
On the other hand, Valerie Hobson was a major British film star and was at the peak of her relatively short career at the time this movie was produced. She retired from acting in the mid 1950s, when she was still only in her thirties.
However, this is clearly Richardson's movie. He is delightfully hilarious as an eccentric British Intelligence agent, and milks every scene he is in for all it is worth. When Richardson and Olivier share the same scene Olivier doesn't stand a chance.
One of my all-time favorite actors, Ralph Richardson was one of those versatile British actors who seemingly could turn his hand to everything, from Shakespearean tragedy to low comedy, with equal grace. And he possessed that incredible voice, the sort that actors don't seem to have anymore. Small wonder that, when Terry Gilliam had to cast an actor to play the role of "The Supreme Being" in "Time Bandits", he chose Ralph Richardson. After all, if there is a God, doesn't it stand to reason that He would have to be something like Ralph Richardson?
If you don't mind checking your mind at the door this is the perfect movie with which to sit back and enjoy some vintage fun.
The Disappearing Airplanes Caper
profh-129 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In 1938, test planes with advanced, experimental features have been vanishing without a trace, yet the factory owner continues to insist they must all be the results of accidents, equipment failure, or sabotage. But eccentric espionage man Major Charles Hammond is certain enemy agents are involved, even though his own boss doubts it and is in a hurry to send him off to another assignment in the Middle East. While investigating undercover, he runs across Tony McVane, an outspoken test pilot who believes as he does, but also finds his own sister Kay has been spying on the plant in order to dig up a story for her newspaper. Before it ends, a plane flown by Tony is brought down by a secret weapon, several plane crews rebel against their foreign captors, and a British Destroyer ambushes the "salvage" ship involved. All the while, the film wildly bounces between serious thriller and outright comedy. What fun!
Ralph Richardson steals the film as "Hammond", whose interests include horse racing, crosswords and cooking; according to Patrick Macnee, "Hammond" was his model for "John Steed"! (I find it amusing that both Richardson and Macnee at different times played Dr. Watson.)
Laurence Olivier is "McVane", angry at his boss, angry at the idea of lady newspaper reporters, yet by the end even angrier at the foreign spies and takes a gattling gun to many of them, while also falling in love with Hammond's sister.
I recognized several other actor in this, including Gordon MacLeod as the chief Nazi (even if he's never identified as such); I'll always think of him as the best-ever "Inpector Teal" in 3 different SAINT movies around this time. There's also Ronald Adam & John Laurie, who both turned up in Cathy Gale AVENGERS episodes, a series this film shares so much in common with, more than 20 years before-the-fact.
Amazingly, one of the writers is Jack Whittingham, who collaborated with Ian Fleming on the unproduced screenplay, "Longitude 78 West", that Fleming turned into his next novel, "Thunderball". BOTH this story and that one involve enemy agents bringing down a plane over the ocean with somthing valueable onboard-- in this case, a prototype engine, in the latter, 2 atomic bombs.
Further, while the bulk of the film is very much like a prototype of an AVENGERS episode, the climax, where several captive crews are in a cell comparing notes, later turned up in the film YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967), while those same crews escaping and starting a running gun-battle with the villains turned up in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)! The design of the "Marconi" ray looks like something out of THINGS TO COME (1936) or THE FABULOUS WORLD OF JULES VERNE (1958).
I never even heard of this film until a few weeks ago, but now I'm so glad I got my hands on a copy. I've always enjoyed Richardson as an actor, but this role of his is unlike anything I've ever seen him do.
I only now dearly wish someone would do a full restoration on it-- and much more importantly-- issue it on a BLU-RAY. As far as I know, the film is in Public Domain, as multiple small outfits have copies of it available. I got mine from "Reel Vault". The picture is crystal-clear, the sound mostly the same, and like their copy of the 1931 THE SPECKLED BAND (with Raymond Massey), the box art is very nice! There's only one major problem... it MUST be copied from a PAL disc, as it's running at THE WRONG SPEED. (The Region 2 DVD box sets I have of THE AVENGERS seasons 2 & 3 have the exact same problem.) For me, Blu-Rays are not so much about enhanced picture and sound quality-- but the fact that they're encoded to AVOID the old PAL-NTSC problem. Anyone who ever claims Blu-Ray technology "never caught on" is spouting utter nonsense! There are GREAT films and TV series from all over the world that deserve to be viewed in all countries, PROPERLY. This is one of them!
Ralph Richardson steals the film as "Hammond", whose interests include horse racing, crosswords and cooking; according to Patrick Macnee, "Hammond" was his model for "John Steed"! (I find it amusing that both Richardson and Macnee at different times played Dr. Watson.)
Laurence Olivier is "McVane", angry at his boss, angry at the idea of lady newspaper reporters, yet by the end even angrier at the foreign spies and takes a gattling gun to many of them, while also falling in love with Hammond's sister.
I recognized several other actor in this, including Gordon MacLeod as the chief Nazi (even if he's never identified as such); I'll always think of him as the best-ever "Inpector Teal" in 3 different SAINT movies around this time. There's also Ronald Adam & John Laurie, who both turned up in Cathy Gale AVENGERS episodes, a series this film shares so much in common with, more than 20 years before-the-fact.
Amazingly, one of the writers is Jack Whittingham, who collaborated with Ian Fleming on the unproduced screenplay, "Longitude 78 West", that Fleming turned into his next novel, "Thunderball". BOTH this story and that one involve enemy agents bringing down a plane over the ocean with somthing valueable onboard-- in this case, a prototype engine, in the latter, 2 atomic bombs.
Further, while the bulk of the film is very much like a prototype of an AVENGERS episode, the climax, where several captive crews are in a cell comparing notes, later turned up in the film YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967), while those same crews escaping and starting a running gun-battle with the villains turned up in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977)! The design of the "Marconi" ray looks like something out of THINGS TO COME (1936) or THE FABULOUS WORLD OF JULES VERNE (1958).
I never even heard of this film until a few weeks ago, but now I'm so glad I got my hands on a copy. I've always enjoyed Richardson as an actor, but this role of his is unlike anything I've ever seen him do.
I only now dearly wish someone would do a full restoration on it-- and much more importantly-- issue it on a BLU-RAY. As far as I know, the film is in Public Domain, as multiple small outfits have copies of it available. I got mine from "Reel Vault". The picture is crystal-clear, the sound mostly the same, and like their copy of the 1931 THE SPECKLED BAND (with Raymond Massey), the box art is very nice! There's only one major problem... it MUST be copied from a PAL disc, as it's running at THE WRONG SPEED. (The Region 2 DVD box sets I have of THE AVENGERS seasons 2 & 3 have the exact same problem.) For me, Blu-Rays are not so much about enhanced picture and sound quality-- but the fact that they're encoded to AVOID the old PAL-NTSC problem. Anyone who ever claims Blu-Ray technology "never caught on" is spouting utter nonsense! There are GREAT films and TV series from all over the world that deserve to be viewed in all countries, PROPERLY. This is one of them!
Viking secrets
AAdaSC7 January 2024
The British are flying test planes that keep disappearing and Major Ralph Richardson (Charles) thinks he knows what is happening. His theory is one of espionage and he is correct. Laurence Olivier (McVane) plays a pilot who is destined to fly one of these doomed planes. Can the British prevent their secrets from falling into enemy hands? Well, this is played as a comedy so I think you know the answer.
This film is carried primarily by Richardson who wins the acting honours hands down over his rival Olivier. He is funnier and has a more powerful screen presence - the true lead in this film. Olivier is unintentionally funny as he is so unnecessarily angry and shouts his dialogue, originating the Whit Bissel-style employed in the 1960s "Time Tunnel" series. There is no need for Olivier to be such a horrid man and he comes out second best to undercover journalist Valerie Hobson (Kay) during their scenes together as well.
As for the story, you need to pay attention, and, on occasion, we know that it is English that is being spoken but you may struggle to decipher what they are saying. The story gets pretty stupid at the end with Olivier and a machine gun. How easy it is resolved - let's break out and shoot everyone. OK, And off they go. Ha ha. Total nonsense.
You should be able to guess the news that Sandra Storme (Daphne) tries to tell Richardson throughout the course of the film. It's an ok film to watch but no need to revisit.
This film is carried primarily by Richardson who wins the acting honours hands down over his rival Olivier. He is funnier and has a more powerful screen presence - the true lead in this film. Olivier is unintentionally funny as he is so unnecessarily angry and shouts his dialogue, originating the Whit Bissel-style employed in the 1960s "Time Tunnel" series. There is no need for Olivier to be such a horrid man and he comes out second best to undercover journalist Valerie Hobson (Kay) during their scenes together as well.
As for the story, you need to pay attention, and, on occasion, we know that it is English that is being spoken but you may struggle to decipher what they are saying. The story gets pretty stupid at the end with Olivier and a machine gun. How easy it is resolved - let's break out and shoot everyone. OK, And off they go. Ha ha. Total nonsense.
You should be able to guess the news that Sandra Storme (Daphne) tries to tell Richardson throughout the course of the film. It's an ok film to watch but no need to revisit.
Essential Comedy
johnbrittain1 March 2019
As a confirmed Ralph Richardson fan, I can say that this is one of his best performances. I watch it happily avery several years or so and always come away delightfully entertained.. I've probably seen it ten times and I always laugh at the same bits.
bonded
dodswrth8 September 2008
No wonder that this picture anticipates Bond by 25 years, it was co written by Jack Whittingham, who was one of the principle architects of the movie version of James Bond.
Whittingham shares a credit on the film, and the novel, Thunderball, which was originally intended to be the first James Bond picture.
More than a few of the classic Bond tropes are contained in the story--it actually points to Dr No (bringing down planes electronically) and to so many of the Bond stories that have huge battles at the end, with the hero freeing, and/or working alongside troops of one kind or another.
Whittingham shares a credit on the film, and the novel, Thunderball, which was originally intended to be the first James Bond picture.
More than a few of the classic Bond tropes are contained in the story--it actually points to Dr No (bringing down planes electronically) and to so many of the Bond stories that have huge battles at the end, with the hero freeing, and/or working alongside troops of one kind or another.
Classic British wartime romp
bob the moo16 March 2002
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.
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.
Comedy Thriller.
rmax3048234 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
It's 1938 and Britain is gearing up for war by testing secret devices in their airplanes. Unfortunately, the airplanes are disappearing over the sea once airborne. Ralph Richardson, an intelligence officer, and Lawrence Olivier, a pilot, come independently to the same conclusion. -- namely that there's a spy in their midst and -- SURPRISE! -- there is a spy in their midst. Not to worry. The spy makes an error and is bumped off by his irate colleagues, just like all the other enemy spies who make mistakes in other movies.
There are several familiar names in the cast, including Richardson and Olivier, who at first play rivals. (They were rivals in the real-life theater too.) This isn't their usual milieu. They're not deliberate or thoughtful. They rush through their lines the way they rush through the rooms, flipping off some neat wisecracks along the way.
Valerie Hobson has the part of Richardson's nosy journalist sister, which means that Olivier gets the girl. She was something of a surprise. She's tall and slender, and I'm used to seeing her in roles in which she's aristocratic, delicate, and priggish. Here she poses as a counter waitress in order to get stories for her paper and she trades unchaste and speedy quips with the best of them. She's awfully attractive too.
The story is nonsense. It has to do with some kind of ray invented by Marconi that disables airplanes in flight at a distance, bring them down into the hands of "those fellows." If the production values weren't as high as they are, if the performances weren't so professional, and if the wit were lower, it could be a Charlie Chan movies, or Mr. Wong, or Fu Manchu. As it is, it's rather fun.
There are several familiar names in the cast, including Richardson and Olivier, who at first play rivals. (They were rivals in the real-life theater too.) This isn't their usual milieu. They're not deliberate or thoughtful. They rush through their lines the way they rush through the rooms, flipping off some neat wisecracks along the way.
Valerie Hobson has the part of Richardson's nosy journalist sister, which means that Olivier gets the girl. She was something of a surprise. She's tall and slender, and I'm used to seeing her in roles in which she's aristocratic, delicate, and priggish. Here she poses as a counter waitress in order to get stories for her paper and she trades unchaste and speedy quips with the best of them. She's awfully attractive too.
The story is nonsense. It has to do with some kind of ray invented by Marconi that disables airplanes in flight at a distance, bring them down into the hands of "those fellows." If the production values weren't as high as they are, if the performances weren't so professional, and if the wit were lower, it could be a Charlie Chan movies, or Mr. Wong, or Fu Manchu. As it is, it's rather fun.
Fun spy thriller
Leofwine_draca27 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A fun spy thriller made right at the outbreak of WW2. It deserves plaudits for the excellent casting of Ralph Richardson as the quirky and flamboyant investigator character who seemingly inspired the look of John Steed, no less. The story, about experimental aircraft and sinister forces trying to steal them, is quite straightforward but you get added dashing Laurence Olivier and Valerie Hobson so it's all quite light and enjoyable. The all-action climax is very well handled, although I was annoyed that a plane sprayed with machine gun fire doesn't get a single bullet hole...
***
edwagreen16 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The film, though a good one, seems to have a rushed up ending to draw to the climax as soon as possible. I guess that is called film budgeting.
Ralph Richardson, in a way, is comedic here and that was something different for the veteran screen star. As the head of the bureau, he is often right exactly where the action is, while he has to constantly disappoint a female dinner date who can't get to tell him something.
The film involves planes with special secretive equipment mysteriously disappearing throughout the world as the war clouds in 1939 are gathering.
Laurence Olivier is one of the pilots and he makes sure that when one plane is downed, it doesn't have the necessary material leading the spy ring involved to kill the British employee who was in cahoots with them and thus opening a Pandora's box.
Valerie Hobson is a waitress whose shifty eyes and questioning reveals that she is much more than a waitress- a newspaper reporter itching to get information on exactly what is going on. Coincidentally, she is the sister of the Richardson character and soon the love interest of Olivier.
Would have rated this even higher had it not been for the rather quick ending to a sordid affair.
Ralph Richardson, in a way, is comedic here and that was something different for the veteran screen star. As the head of the bureau, he is often right exactly where the action is, while he has to constantly disappoint a female dinner date who can't get to tell him something.
The film involves planes with special secretive equipment mysteriously disappearing throughout the world as the war clouds in 1939 are gathering.
Laurence Olivier is one of the pilots and he makes sure that when one plane is downed, it doesn't have the necessary material leading the spy ring involved to kill the British employee who was in cahoots with them and thus opening a Pandora's box.
Valerie Hobson is a waitress whose shifty eyes and questioning reveals that she is much more than a waitress- a newspaper reporter itching to get information on exactly what is going on. Coincidentally, she is the sister of the Richardson character and soon the love interest of Olivier.
Would have rated this even higher had it not been for the rather quick ending to a sordid affair.
Fun early 'spy-fi' adventure
jamesrupert20147 December 2023
Enemy agents (of undisclosed (but clearly not British) origin) employ a ray-gun that knocks out an aircraft's engines and radio so the villains can recover the downed plane and steal experimental technological secrets. The premise and 'special effects' (secret agents employing a secret weapon from the secret base to steal secrets) resemble contemporaneous Republic Studios serials but the cast, which includes Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier), is top-notch (although Olivier is somewhat wasted in his routine role as 'love interest' and heroic test pilot). On the other hand, Richardson carries the picture and, as Patrick Macnee has acknowledged, his droll, eccentric umbrella-carrying British intelligence officer was the inspiration for the debonair 'John Steed' in 'The Avengers' (1961). The light-hearted script is excellent but the simplistic and trite climax is a bit of a letdown. As always, watching 1930's 'state of the art' aeronautical technology is entertaining given a post-WW2 perspective and knowledge of what would be in the air within a decade of the film's production. All in all, "good show".
It's all Olivier and Richardson
Gilly-135 January 2000
The two stage actors rattle off the rapid-fire dialogue like two Spitfires in a dogfight. I got the feeling they were almost in a goof-off competition to see who could memorize their lines right before the take and spit them out with the most unrehearsed verve.
Q Planes
Prismark1013 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Q Planes is regarded as a propaganda film but it was made before Britain entered World War 2.
Co-written by Jack Whittingham who went on to write a James Bond film. There is a touch of espionage and sabotage in this movie.
British planes carrying an experimental supercharger for test flights have gone missing at sea. Each time, a search and rescue mission detects no signs of the planes, wreckage or the crew.
Major Charles Hammond (Ralph Richardson) is the eccentric secret service agent who believes that there is something amiss. Maybe even a spy working for a foreign nation is working for the plane manufacturer.
In fact the planes were brought down by a ray gun by a salvage ship that pretends to be British. They are looking for the experimental supercharger.
Tony McVane (Laurence Olivier) is a pilot who suspects wrongdoing but the plane manufacturer seems to have buried their head in the sand.
Eventually Hammond and McVane join forces but will they be able to carry out the next test flight successfully?
Q Planes is a strange film. A comedy espionage drama. Richardson does the quirky comedy. Olivier is the action man, he even gets to romance Hammond's journalist sister.
It is also not a very good film. I expect this was made in the expectation that Britain was going to war with Germany.
Some of the characters are very lackadaisical about security issues or that there could be sabotage. There is no concern that a foreign power might want to get their hands on the supercharger.
The climax with McVane and fellow pilots overpowering the crew of the salvage ship was a bit over the top. At least Olivier managed to show he could be an action hero.
Co-written by Jack Whittingham who went on to write a James Bond film. There is a touch of espionage and sabotage in this movie.
British planes carrying an experimental supercharger for test flights have gone missing at sea. Each time, a search and rescue mission detects no signs of the planes, wreckage or the crew.
Major Charles Hammond (Ralph Richardson) is the eccentric secret service agent who believes that there is something amiss. Maybe even a spy working for a foreign nation is working for the plane manufacturer.
In fact the planes were brought down by a ray gun by a salvage ship that pretends to be British. They are looking for the experimental supercharger.
Tony McVane (Laurence Olivier) is a pilot who suspects wrongdoing but the plane manufacturer seems to have buried their head in the sand.
Eventually Hammond and McVane join forces but will they be able to carry out the next test flight successfully?
Q Planes is a strange film. A comedy espionage drama. Richardson does the quirky comedy. Olivier is the action man, he even gets to romance Hammond's journalist sister.
It is also not a very good film. I expect this was made in the expectation that Britain was going to war with Germany.
Some of the characters are very lackadaisical about security issues or that there could be sabotage. There is no concern that a foreign power might want to get their hands on the supercharger.
The climax with McVane and fellow pilots overpowering the crew of the salvage ship was a bit over the top. At least Olivier managed to show he could be an action hero.
Can Someone Please Clone Ralph Richardson!
MarvellousMedicine1 February 2021
Oh my, what a delight. Good old Ralph made outshining Larry on screen look as easy as taking your pet mouse for a walk. (Yes that's right Ralph Richardson used to take his pet mice for walks).
Plots a bit silly, but it's just good fun all round. The scenes in the kitchen between Ralph and Larry, and than Valerie and Larry was very charming indeed.
Definitely a good Sunday afternoon movie if you don't want something too serious and you're fed up of James Bond films being repeated on a loop.
Plots a bit silly, but it's just good fun all round. The scenes in the kitchen between Ralph and Larry, and than Valerie and Larry was very charming indeed.
Definitely a good Sunday afternoon movie if you don't want something too serious and you're fed up of James Bond films being repeated on a loop.
Good.....could have been better.
planktonrules5 August 2016
"Clouds Over Europe" (also known as "Q Planes") is a film that has been mischaracterized by some as a 'wartime' picture, though it actually came out several months before WWII began. Additionally, although the baddies in the film COULD have been Germans, no mention of their nationality is given and most have very British accents.
Several experimental planes have been lost around the world. In each case, no trace of the planes ever turned up and the Major (Ralph Richardson) is convinced someone is behind this. But, inexplicably, the latest company that is the victim of such a loss seems amazingly sure that there is no conspiracy and they do their best to thwart his investigation. Good thing that a hot-shot pilot (Laurence Olivier) is out to help the Major.
In some ways, it's a very good film. I love some of the main characters-- particularly the Major . When it comes to the characters, this is the big strength of the movie. He is very quirky and enjoyable to watch. The story idea also is quite nice. What is NOT so nice is how easily the baddies are beaten at the end of the film. Why would they allow the planes' crews to live and have ANY opportunity to fight back?! And, when the pilots are fighting back, why do NONE of the bad guys yell out for help when they notice the pilots have escaped from their jail?! Weird and sloppy...yet everything up until that is enjoyable and well done. With a better handled ending, it easily could have scored an 8 or 9.
Several experimental planes have been lost around the world. In each case, no trace of the planes ever turned up and the Major (Ralph Richardson) is convinced someone is behind this. But, inexplicably, the latest company that is the victim of such a loss seems amazingly sure that there is no conspiracy and they do their best to thwart his investigation. Good thing that a hot-shot pilot (Laurence Olivier) is out to help the Major.
In some ways, it's a very good film. I love some of the main characters-- particularly the Major . When it comes to the characters, this is the big strength of the movie. He is very quirky and enjoyable to watch. The story idea also is quite nice. What is NOT so nice is how easily the baddies are beaten at the end of the film. Why would they allow the planes' crews to live and have ANY opportunity to fight back?! And, when the pilots are fighting back, why do NONE of the bad guys yell out for help when they notice the pilots have escaped from their jail?! Weird and sloppy...yet everything up until that is enjoyable and well done. With a better handled ending, it easily could have scored an 8 or 9.
A hidden gem!
jimjo121621 November 2011
Beneath the British B-picture exterior lies a hidden gem of an espionage thriller. Q PLANES is briskly paced and delightfully entertaining, balancing exciting spy intrigue with lighthearted character moments. The villains' dastardly scheme foreshadows James Bond villainy to come, and one can almost hear the John Barry music swell up during certain scenes.
The film is anchored by Ralph Richardson in a droll performance as a slightly Holmesian secret service man: undeniably brilliant, if a tad eccentric and prone to absent-mindedness. The triumvirate of stars is completed by Laurence Olivier as a pilot (and all-around good guy) and Valerie Hobson, who we learn is a newspaper reporter out looking for a scoop (in the grand tradition of such characters).
Top-secret experimental planes are disappearing under mysterious circumstances and Richardson is doing everything he can to get to the bottom of it. The main cast of Richardson, Olivier, and Hobson are great together and the movie manages to blend real comedy with real excitement. This little-known British thriller is a real winner. It's lots of fun and a wonderful surprise. Try to catch it on TCM sometime.
The film is anchored by Ralph Richardson in a droll performance as a slightly Holmesian secret service man: undeniably brilliant, if a tad eccentric and prone to absent-mindedness. The triumvirate of stars is completed by Laurence Olivier as a pilot (and all-around good guy) and Valerie Hobson, who we learn is a newspaper reporter out looking for a scoop (in the grand tradition of such characters).
Top-secret experimental planes are disappearing under mysterious circumstances and Richardson is doing everything he can to get to the bottom of it. The main cast of Richardson, Olivier, and Hobson are great together and the movie manages to blend real comedy with real excitement. This little-known British thriller is a real winner. It's lots of fun and a wonderful surprise. Try to catch it on TCM sometime.
Very pleasant classic, never mind the little perforations.
peterjamesyates7 March 2002
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.
Technically correct spy feature.
Bernie444423 October 2023
1939 was a good year for movies. It was at the end of this year that England declared war on Germany so no one could have predicted the outcome. You can get a feel for the time and events by watching Mrs. Miniver (1942). Laurence Olivier is the head pilot for an aeroplane test firm. Planes are missing from the test of a new turbocharger. The use of Marconi's ray in the movie has shades of EMP (electromagnetic pulse) and looks like a particle beam generator that we are perfecting today for our anti-ballistic missile defenses system.
Aside from being a great spy movie, there is a love interest (Valerie Hobson) that does not overwhelm the story. And we see the mysterious workings of the intelligence service (Ralph Richardson).
Aside from being a great spy movie, there is a love interest (Valerie Hobson) that does not overwhelm the story. And we see the mysterious workings of the intelligence service (Ralph Richardson).
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