Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes
Directed by Ken Annakin
Written by Jack Davies and Ken Annakin
1965/UK
Twentieth Century-Fox Productions
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Lord Rawnsley: The trouble with these international affairs is they attract foreigners.[/box]
Another of the epic comedy adventures spawned by Around the World in Eighty Days is decent fun for a slow afternoon.
A London newspaper offers a 50,000 pounds to the flyer who has the best time from London to Paris over the English channel. The prize attracts contestants from many countries. The most prominent are Englishman Richard Mays (James Fox) and American Orvil Newton (Stewart Whitman). These two easily fall into love triangle combat over feisty Patricia Rawnsley (Sarah Miles). With Robert Morley, Alberto Sordi, Gert Frobe, Terry-Thomas and a cameo by Red Skelton.
Well this was exactly what I expected it to be. Not a bad thing, when one doesn’t want to put a lot of effort A couple of giggles and some nice scenery doesn’t add up to anything special.
…….one of the first movies I saw in the theatre, deserves an extra point for the memorable (ro me anyway) theme song and for aviation nuts, points for all those flying birdcages on display.
Holds an affectionate place in my heart….but I don’t know what I’d think on a rewatch by grizzled cynical current self so best not do that heh heh.
Thanks Bea
I’m pretty sure I saw it way back when but remembered almost nothing but the theme song.