Wings Over Africa is a 1936 British adventure film directed by Ladislao Vajda and starring Joan Gardner, Ian Colin, James Harcourt and James Carew.
The film is a quota quickie produced for released by RKO. It was shot at Shepperton Studios with sets designed by the art director Duncan Sutherland. The film score was created by composer Jack Beaver.
Plot
Explorer Tony Cooper and homesick trader Norton find a skeleton in the African jungle with a package intended to be delivered to Victor Wilkins in London. Cooper takes it there and it proves to be from Wilkins' brother - the skeleton was his - with a map showing where he left £100,000 in diamonds for Victor. Cooper agrees to accompany him to Africa and they hire pilots John Trevor and Carol Reed, who all agree to a cut of the profits. On arrival in Africa, they're challenged by three men - Redfern, Collins and Quincey - who claim to have the mineral rights to all gems found in the area, and by Norton, who also wants a share. But Norton is stabbed to death and Trevor fatally wounded: suspicion falls on Cooper, who's in love with Carol. Carol investigates and finds the weapon in the possession of Wilkins, who wanted the diamonds all for himself. He tries to flee in one of the planes but crashes and is killed.
Cast
Joan Gardner as Carol Reade
Ian Colin as Tony Cooper
James Harcourt as Wikins
James Carew as Norton
James Craven as John Trevor
Alan Napier as Redfern
Phil Thomas as Quincey
Charles Oliver as Collins
Rufus Fennell as Saoud
References
Bibliography
Chibnall, Steve. Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute, 2007. Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985. Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.