The Flying Fool (1931 film)

The Flying Fool

Company type	Film
Industry	Film
Founded	1931
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Comedy thriller film

The Flying Fool is a 1931 British film blending comedy and thriller elements, directed by Walter Summers and featuring performances by Henry Kendall, Benita Hume, and Wallace Geoffrey. The movie adapts the 1929 stage play of the same title, authored by Arnold Ridley and Bernard Merivale.

Plot

Vincent Floyd, who outwardly seems to be an indolent gentleman from London, is in fact an undercover agent investigating Michael Marlowe, who is believed to be involved in trafficking narcotics from France into the UK. After facing difficulties in collecting proof, Floyd boards a plane bound for Paris alongside Marlowe. Marlowe administers a sedative to Floyd and transports him to a secret lair hidden beneath a Parisian nightclub.

With assistance from Marion, an associate working under Marlowe, Floyd manages to flee from a submerged cell connected to the River Seine. Pursued by Marlowe’s henchmen, he pilots back to England and narrowly escapes several attempts on his life involving aircraft sabotage. The story culminates with Floyd pursuing Marlowe’s vehicle from the air, successfully thwarting his getaway.

Cast

• Henry Kendall as Vincent Floyd
• Benita Hume as Marion Lee
• Wallace Geoffrey as Michael Marlowe
• Martin Walker as Jim Lancer
• Ursula Jeans as Morella Arlen
• Barbara Gott as Madame Charron
• Charles Farrell as Ponder
• Syd Crossley as Hicks

Production

The film was adapted from a popular West End production by Arnold Ridley and Philip Merivale, who also worked on the screenplay. It was produced by British International Pictures at Elstree Studios. The visual design was crafted by art directors Clarence Elder and John Mead. Although Leslie Howard was originally considered for the leading role, it ultimately went to Henry Kendall, reprising his part from the theatrical version. Filming started in December 1930 and incorporated significant location shoots. Both director Summers and lead actor Kendall were licensed pilots, which allowed for realistic aviation sequences facilitated through collaboration with Imperial Airways, French Air Union, and De Havilland Aircraft Company.

Bibliography

• Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.