Somewhere in the Pacific, the skipper of a boat, Eddie Constantine (heard of him in connection with Alphaville, of course, but not sure I'd actually seen him in anything before) is arrested for carrying smugglers, and put on board a sea plane to travel to some other Pacific destination, along with the man who ratted him out, a weasley Dickie Attenborough. The plane is on its last legs, run by alcoholic pilot (never a good mixture) John Gregson, co-pilot Cec Linder and stewardess Pier Angeli. Also on board: 'bad girl' Eva Bartok (many films in Europe), detective Clifford Evans, prim Jean Anderson and academic Gunnar Möller. Grand Hotel at sea, in other words. (Or perhaps Stagecoach would be even more fitting.)
Quite lively and enjoyable, music unexpectedly by Georges Auric, photographed by Wilkie Cooper. Locations not credited but apparently the Canary Islands (I would have guessed Mallorca). Nice twist in Gilbert Thomas / Robert Westerby screenplay / story that they end up bang next to nuclear testing site.
Another beautiful 'restoration' by Reknown Pictures, who give us credits in 16:9, then thoughtfully crop the rest into 4:3.
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