"CLOUDS OVER EUROPE"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 176, 21 June 1940, Page 7

"CLOUDS OVER EUROPE"

NEW TYPE OF FILM Something entirely new in spy films, Columbia's "Clouds Over Europe" combines thrilling actio/) with clever and pleasing humour. This film really merits a special classification as although the routing of spies plays an important part in the finely written narrative, the constant introduction of bright and witty dialogue and situations makes it most amusing and yet it retains the imDressiveness and seriousness that the plot is meant to convey. Brilliantly enacted by Ralph Rich ardson, Laurence Olivier and Valerie Hobson. with a strong supporting cast which includes George Curzon, George Merritt and Sandra Storme, "Clouds Over Europe" is a tense yet very humorous film that concerns the mysterious disappearance of British bombing • planes carrying important national secrets of construction. Although the majority of officials and authorities of the British Air Force believe that the missing planes met with some accident, Ralph Richardson, as Major Hammond of the Secret Service, is of another opinion. He suspects foul play by foreign agents and sets out to prove his theory by tracking down the offenders and exposing them. In this role Richardson is superb and provides many thrills and just as many laughs. Laurence j Olivier plays the part of Tony Vane, ace pilot for the large manufacturing company which furnishes the planes for the A,ir Force* and he too is worthy of high praise for the excellent manner in which he enacts his role. Valerie Hobson supplies the feminine interest in a very fine characterisation of a newspaper reporter and sister of Major Hammond.