Director: KARL HARTL. Screenplay: Curt Siodmak, Walter Reisch from the novel by Curt Siodmak. Screenplay translated by Donovan Parsons. Dialogue editors: Robert Stevenson and Peter MacFarlane. Photography: Konstantin Irmen-Tschet, Gunther Rittau. Production designer: Erich Kettlehut. Costumes designed by Otto Suckrow. Music composed by Allan Gray, directed by Hans Otto Borgmann. Special effects: Konstantin Irmen-Tschet, Theo Nischwitz. Stills: Karl Ewald. Technical advisor: Albert Berthold Henninger. Sound editor: Rudolf Schaad. Make-up: Waldemar Jabs. Film editor: Willy Zeyn. Sound recording: Fritz Thiery. Producer: Erich Pommer.
Copyright (as F.P. One) 29 June 1933 by Fox Film Corporation. New York opening at the 7th Avenue Roxy: 15 September 1933. U.S. release: 16 September 1933. U.K. release through Gaumont-British: 3 April 1933. Running times: 93 minutes (U.K.); 74 minutes (U.S.A.).
SYNOPSIS: Shipping interests attempt to sabotage a giant refueling platform built for the use of aircraft flying the Atlantic.
COMMENT: Even in its abbreviated USA cut, this is a fascinating and highly exotic (and at times even bizarre) sci-fi entry, with fine performances from almost the entire cast (weak-as-water Leslie Fenton lets the side down), especially nervy Conrad Veidt and the beguiling Jill Esmond. Also to be commended, George Merritt who does nobly by the biggest role of his career. A mammoth budget is right up there on the screen, complete with breathtaking sets, atmospheric photography and fast-paced, imaginative direction. AVAILABLE on DVD through Grapevine. Quality rating: Six out of ten. (Visuals are fine, but sound is out of sync throughout).
Copyright (as F.P. One) 29 June 1933 by Fox Film Corporation. New York opening at the 7th Avenue Roxy: 15 September 1933. U.S. release: 16 September 1933. U.K. release through Gaumont-British: 3 April 1933. Running times: 93 minutes (U.K.); 74 minutes (U.S.A.).
SYNOPSIS: Shipping interests attempt to sabotage a giant refueling platform built for the use of aircraft flying the Atlantic.
COMMENT: Even in its abbreviated USA cut, this is a fascinating and highly exotic (and at times even bizarre) sci-fi entry, with fine performances from almost the entire cast (weak-as-water Leslie Fenton lets the side down), especially nervy Conrad Veidt and the beguiling Jill Esmond. Also to be commended, George Merritt who does nobly by the biggest role of his career. A mammoth budget is right up there on the screen, complete with breathtaking sets, atmospheric photography and fast-paced, imaginative direction. AVAILABLE on DVD through Grapevine. Quality rating: Six out of ten. (Visuals are fine, but sound is out of sync throughout).