Flight From Folly

BFI Most Wanted: the hunt for Britain's missing films

Directed by Herbert Mason, 1945

Musical comedy which aimed to launch the film career of stage siren Pat Kirkwood.

Millicent (Jean Gillie) attempts to capture the contours of her model 'Bomber' (Leslie Bradley).

Credits

Director Production Company Producer Screenplay Story Music Photography	Herbert Mason Warner Bros First National Productions Herbert Mason Basil Woon, Lesley Storm, Katherine Strueby Edmund Goulding Benjamin Frankel, Eric Spear Otto Heller
Cast: Hugh Sinclair (Clinton Clay); Pat Kirkwood (Sue Brown); Sydney Howard (Dr. Wylie); Jean Gillie (Millicent); A.E. Matthews (Neville, the butler); Tamara Desni (Nina); Marion Spencer (Harriet); Leslie Bradley (Bomber); Charles Goldner (Ramon); Mildred Shay (Bomber's sister)
94 mins, 8,463 feet, sound, black & white

Why are we so keen to find it?

This was the first starring role in a feature film for Pat Kirkwood, who was already a huge West End stage success. Several reviewers felt she deserved better, the Manchester Guardian writing that the film "is unworthy of her limited but genuine talent. She has an engaging sparkle which promises better work in better films." Others were more doubtful about her potential, the Daily Mail reviewer saying that her rhumba "evoked Harringey rather more than Habana." However, the Daily Mirror hymned her "vivacious personality and talent which take her a long way" and the Motion Picture Herald was convinced that she was Hollywood-bound. But although she did make one feature in the US while under contract to MGM - No Leave, No Love (1946) - Hollywood stardom didn't beckon. She remained a stage star in the UK for many years; critic Kenneth Tynan once described her legs as "the eighth wonder of the world."

Director Herbert Mason had begun his career in the early 1930s, working his way up to director by 1936, but this was the last film for which he took directorial credit. Instead he went into production, eventually working for Group Three at Southall Studios; he later produced the films Cast a Dark Shadow (1955) and The Story of Esther Costello (1956). The film's cinematographer was Otto Heller, who went onto shoot Laurence Olivier's Richard III (1955) and Alfie (1965).

What's it about?

This synopsis is from Kinematograph Weekly (8 February 1945):

Clinton Clay, a successful composer, playwright and impresario, takes to drink when Nina, his Russian star and girl friend, goes off with Raymon, a continental Romeo. Doctor Wylie, a psychiatrist, and Neville, Clinton's butler, try to pull Clinton round, but he fails to respond to their treatment and sacks every nurse they engage. Sue Brown, an attractive, but out-of-work showgirl, gets to hear of Clinton's eccentricities, poses as a nurse and takes on the job of keeper. Later, she accompanies Clinton to Marjorca, where he travels in search of his lost Nina.

Millicent, Clinton's good-hearted sculptor sister, Bomber, her tough model, and Neville are also on the party. Harriet, a designing widow, follows by the next boat. Eventually, Clinton catches up with Nina and she agrees to star in his new musical comedy. He arranges to try his production out at Majorca, but just before the opening Harriet learns that Nina is her rival and locks Nina in her dressing-room. Sue promptly takes Nina's place and is a success. Clinton inevitably falls for her and is cured. Subsequently, Sue consults Dr. Wylie and acts wild, thereby starting a new case history.

Last seen?

The film was reviewed by the press early in May 1945, and the trade show seems to have been in February that year at Studio One in London. There is no record of any television showings.

What else do we know about it?

The film features the popular dance combo Edmundo Ros and his Rhumba Band, as well as speciality act Halamar and Konarski.

Does anything survive?

The BFI holds several stills and a press sheet from the film.

Reviews

The greatest praise was reserved for Pat Kirkwood, but the rest of the cast was also favourably reviewed. "A strong company can be seen working hard," applauded the Manchester Guardian, while the Daily Mirror found the film a "neatly made and tuneful comedy", and the Daily Mail critic, despite reservations, confessed to "almost enjoying 'Flight from Folly'," conceding that it "represent[s] a tremulous but definite step toward a school of British musicals." The Monthly Film Bulletin described it as a "frivolous and lively sort of film, elaborately conceived and produced." More than one reviewer commented on the poor costumes and make-up, the Daily Mail writing "the dressing of the picture... explores new regions of banal ugliness."

While the national press was a little lukewarm, Motion Picture Herald was much more enthusiastic, finding praise for the direction and supporting players as well as Miss Kirkwood herself. "The picture... will be a wow in Britain's neighborhood theatres," it proclaimed, "American showmen will do well to note the phenomenon when the picture crosses the Atlantic."

Jo Botting, Curator (Fiction), BFI National Archive

You can find more about British films of the mid-1940s, including entries on surviving films and video clips for users in UK schools, colleges, universities and public libraries, at BFI Screenonline. You can also view similar titles at the BFI Mediatheques.