Cone of Silence [Trouble in the Sky] ** (1960, Michael Craig, Peter Cushing, Bernard Lee, George Sanders, Elizabeth Seal, André Morell) – Classic Movie Review 9693

Peter Cushing stars away from his usual horror territory as a pompous pilot called Captain Judd in director Charles Frend’s intriguing if slackly paced 1960 mystery drama Cone of Silence [Trouble in the Sky], based on the novel by David Beaty.

Michael Craig also stars as Captain Dallas, a flying instructor investigating mysterious aircraft accidents, tries to prove that a design flaw caused the death of his fiancée Charlotte Gort (Elizabeth Seal)’s plane captain father Captain Gort (Bernard Lee).

There is reasonable enlightenment and entertainment value to be found in this fact-based, old-style, stiff-upper-lipped story about British jet pilots, their hazardous occupation and safety standards in the aviation industry.

Lots of familiar British faces, convincing aviation and plot detail, and a tense atmosphere help to enliven a formula flying film, with just a little originality in the story to keep it fairly fresh.

Also in the cast are George Sanders, André Morell, Gordon Jackson, Delphi Lawrence, Noel Willman, Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, Marne Maitland, Charles Lloyd Pack, Anthony Newlands, Jack Hedley, William Abney, Ballard Berkeley, Homi Bode, Simon Lack, Charles Mylne, Howard Pays and Hedger Wallace.

Cone of Silence [Trouble in the Sky] is directed by Charles Frend, runs 92 minutes, is made by Aubrey Baring Productions and Bryanston Films, is released by British Lion Films (1960) (UK) and Pictures (1961) (US), is written by Robert Westerby (screenplay) and Jeffrey Dell (additional dialogue), based on the novel by David Beaty, is shot in black and white by Arthur Grant, is produced by Aubrey Baring, is scored by Gerhard Schurmann and is designed by Wilfred Shingleton.

Bristol Siddeley Engines were thanked for their generous help in the making of this film.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9693

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