Angels One Five *** (1952, Jack Hawkins, John Gregson, Michael Denison, Dulcie Gray, Andrew Osborn) – Classic Movie Review 10,346

Director George More O’Ferrall’s 1952 Britain at War film Angels One Five stars Jack Hawkins, John Gregson and Michael Denison, who display their impressive stiff upper-lips to advantage in this sterling tale of life in an RAF fighter station in Kent during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and a grounded pilot who seeks to fly again. This is the story of some of the few and their fight against the mighty Luftwaffe.

The well-meaning drama is a bit stiff too, but at heart the film has the ring of truth about it, and it was a big UK hit in its day. Gregson plays Pilot Officer ‘Septic’ Baird, an over-eager volunteer reserve pilot whose wings are clipped by the rulebook Group Captain, ‘Tiger’ Small (Hawkins) – ‘they didn’t call him Tiger for nothing’ –, and then becomes romantically attached to ambulance driver Betty Carfax (Veronica Hurst). Denison plays Squadron Leader Peter Moon and his real-life wife Dulcie Gray plays Nadine Clinton.

Authentic-seeming documentary-style direction by O’Ferrall adds veracity, and so does the excellent black and white cinematography from Christopher Challis on the ground and Stanley Grant in the air.

The screenplay is by Derek N Twist from an original story by Pelham Groom.

Also in the cast are Andrew Osborn, Cyril Raymond, Humphrey Lestocq, Dulcie Gray, Veronica Hurst, Harold Goodwin, Geoffrey Keen, Harry Fowler, Norman Pierce, Harry Locke, Philip Stanton, Vida Hope, Amy Veness, Ronald Adam, John Phillips, John Harvey, Sam Kydd, John Sharp, Peter Jones, Josephine Douglas, Freda Bamford, Marianne Stone, Russell Waters, Victor Maddern, Russell Hunter, Richard Dunn, Richard Levin, Anthony Moore, Gordon Bell, Harold Siddons, Karen Grayson, Colin Tapley, Neil Wilson, Rosemary Lomax, Donald McClusky, Thorp Devereaux, Hugh Moxey, Ambrosine Phillpotts and Ewan Roberts. Joan Hickson appears as Housekeeper (uncredited).

Angels One Five is directed by George More O’Ferrall, runs 98 minutes, is made by Templar Productions, is released by Associated British-Pathé (1952) (UK) and Stratford Pictures Corporation (1954) (US), is written by Derek N Twist, based on an original story by Pelham Groom, is shot in black and white by Christopher Challis (director of photography) and Stanley Grant (aerial photography), is produced by John W Gossage and Derek N Twist, is scored by John Wooldridge (conductor / music arranger / musical director), and designed by Fred Pusey.

Freddie Francis is the camera operator.

It is shot at Associated British Studios, Elstree, England, and at RAF Kenley, Kenley, Surrey, England.

Dulcie Gray and Michael Denison were married from 29 April 1939 till his death on 22 July 1998. She made her film debut in an uncredited part in the Welwyn Studio comedy Banana Ridge (1942).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,346

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