cynthiahost
I just recently received the VHS version of this picture form nostalgia family video.Although the transfer is analog and not very sharp, it is a Good broad cast print.It looks like early Eastman color.Its a medium budget film and an early anti Nazi intrigue film. The word Nazi is never used cause at that time they didn't want to start a war yet. The plot is that the captain of Darmouth naval college has been murdered. The murder was intended for the head of the college, by played Leslie Banks, because he knew of the torpedo, in the bay. He gets aid from his son who wants to quit the military and go into business with with a friend an alleged astronomer visits this college then claims he's a an agent. This was the first and only feature in a early single strip color process called ,Dufeycoulor, which used tiny micro color lenses , rather than dye emolution,. Now this was a probably restored print using Eastman color process. Its hard no notice any grainy look since its printed un sharply on tape. but i bet you if projected on screen the grain would be more noticeable.It was used only for one feature because of the war needs to salvage film stock. Joan bridge,who was a Technicolor associate adviser, was an associate adviser for Dufycolour. My guess ,also, Technicolor, of england, might have bought them out too too
Geoffrey Haskins
I saw this film when it first came out just after the war started and enjoyed it for what it was - a schoolboy adventure story (I was then thirteen). I next found it in Singapore showing at the Cathey cinema in 1945; it was reputed to have been found on the premises after the Japanese surrendered, having survived the occupation in the manager's custody.Since I sensibly recorded it one afternoon I have found it a "once a year" nostalgic one-off. The scenes of the RNC Dartmouth are absolutely genuine and the local settings a good historical record. The Dartmouth Railway station is still there today: it never had a railway line, passengers had to cross to Kingswear on the ferry to catch a train. Finally - the police sergeant's role was played by my actor uncle, but IMDb was no record!
Marlburian
I'm writing this (my first contribution to IMDb) after as long weekend in the locale where the film was shot. Can't say that I recognised Plymouth in the film, nor Brixham (as one or two others claim to have done)but several other settings were familiar, not least the little tower (now sadly dilapidated) where the commander embarks in the boat. The modern telephone directory lists two "Tradesmen's Arms" pubs locally (an inn of than name featured as a backdrop) but I didn't have a chance to check these out.I thought the plot creaked terribly and some of the acting was poor. It wasn't too clear whether the film was set in the war or in peacetime, but I've found out that production was announced in July 1939, with the premiere held the following March, so I guess that the plot was tweaked a bit as production continued, with the patriotic closing shots contributing to some flag-waving. When the enemy spy is finally unveiled he seemed very cheerful considering he would be facing the death penalty
tgabber
I stumbled across this film while flicking through the TV channels this morning, the BBC were giving it an airing on BBC2. I'll be honest I was about to move on as the acting struck me as pretty dreadful when the scene changed to an outdoor shot of Portsmouth like I'd never seen it before. Period cars in new condition and vibrant colour!I'd thought from the indoor scene that first on that this was some 1950s film and was shocked to discover that it was a colour film made in 1939! Looked up the details on the IMDb here and was fascinated to learn about the film's unique history.It's a shame that the story and the acting is not better, but for curiosity value alone this film is worth digging out. The colour has lasted very well and it provides an invaluable record of an England that no longer exists.
AD
