F.P. 1 DOESN'T ANSWER (1933)

 

PHENOMENALITY: *uncanny*
MYTHICITY: *fair*
FRYEAN MYTHOS: *drama*
CAMPBELLIAN FUNCTION: *cosmological, sociological*

I should note that this early sound film was one of three films with a more-or-less identical plot, respectively directed in English, French and German versions by Austrian wunderkind Karl Hartl. I'm reviewing the English version, starring Conrad Veidt after his emigration to the British Isles from his native Germany due to the rise of Nazism.

The very dated "science fiction" of this film, based on a novel by Curt Siodmak, falls into the category I call "uncanny." Given that in the early thirties no one had yet managed to solve the fueling problems of transatlantic flight, Siodmak's solution was to create a "floating platform"-- the "F.P." of the title-- in the middle of the Atlantic, where planes could land to refuel. This was possibly an extension of the principle of aircraft carriers, which began to catch on in the 1910s. In any case, even in 1933 such a construct did not require the sort of "X factor" needed for most marvelous phenomena; it was simply a fictional extension of current technology rather than a surpassing of technological possibilities. 

All that said, everything in the film dealing with the platform is pretty dull. The F.P. is simply the setting for a romantic triangle drama, whose conflict is exacerbated when selfish corporate evildoers plot to destroy the new invention.

The designer of the platform, Captain Droste (Leslie Fenton) is not any more interesting than his invention. His efforts are sponsored by a London shipping company, partly owned by Claire Lennartz (Jill Esmond). Though Claire and Droste know one another, their relationship is that of business. Then Claire meets the dashing aviator Major Ellisen (Veidt). They fall in love, and Ellisen even does Droste a good turn in helping his project gain recognition. Clearly Claire is willing to say yes if Ellisen asks-- but he procrastinates, wanting one more daredevil feat to his name, and off he flies.

When Ellisen returns to London, a lot of things have changed. He's had some terrible experience he never talks about, aside from saying he was left broke in a foreign country. But in his absence Claire and Droste have become romantically involved. So, who's the only one who can save F.P. 1 when saboteurs strike, and the F.P. is doomed to sink beneath the waves? No points for guessing the right answer, though it's a minor relief that the odd man out doesn't have to sacrifice his life to save his rival's fortunes.

F.P. is an efficient enough drama for its time, but there's really no reason to watch the film except for Conrad Veidt's acting. Supporting actor Donald Calthrop provides some minor comic relief as a querulous photographer nicknamed "Sunshine."