Wings of Danger

Date: 1952
Director: Terence Fisher
Production Company: Hammer Films, Lippert Films

Stars: Zachary Scott, Robert Beatty, Kay Kendall, Naomi Chance, Colin Tapley
Location(s): Sussex

Region(s):

Storyline:

When a plane is lost at sea a pilot is caught up in a web of blackmail and smuggling.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Also known as ‘Dead on Course’ (US Title)

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Watched from a window by fellow pilot Richard Van Ness, Nick Talbot (Robert Beatty) arrives at Southampton Airport to take Boyd Spencer Airlines flight 3 to Guernsey. The Terminal Building at Croydon Airport on Purley Way in Croydon, Surrey located by Paul Atkinson. Other views of the airport can be seen in 'Climbing High', 'The Lost Hours' and 'Top Secret'.

John Harwood visited the listed control tower but noted an added storey to the background building. (SJ)

Van flies to Guernsey the day after Nick's plane goes missing when he takes off in a storm.

Taken a few seconds too late over St Peter Port as the Aurigny flights descends from the east onto Guernsey. Castle Cornet is to the right, the harbour has been extended and Fort George is on the promontory to the left. SJ

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Van Ness comes in to land on Guernsey.

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Getting out of the plane, Richard Van Ness (Zachary Scott) crosses to the office where Boyd Spencer is waiting.

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After speaking with Boyd Spencer at the airport, Van is given a ride by Alexia LaRoche (Kay Kendall) to the St. George Hotel where Nick's sister Avril is waiting.

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Seeing him arrive, Customs Inspector Jerry Maxwell (Colin Tapley) approaches Van Ness.

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When the wreckage of flight 3 is discovered in St. Mary's Bay, Jerry Maxwell follows Van Ness when he drives to see it brought ashore.

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Following Jerry's disclosure that he's on the trail of smugglers, Van drives to Boyd Spencer's offices at the airport where he finds a consignment of tools labelled for Cherbourg.

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When Jerry discovers that the tools are made of gold, Van questions him about being tailed by someone on a motorbike as they leave the Customs building.

Returning to Boyd Spencer's office, Van runs from the building after being attacked.

John Harwood went to the airport. (SJ)

Hearing a motorbike being driven away, Van gets into his car. This appears to be facing the Terminal Building at Croydon Airport on Purley Way in Croydon, Surrey.

John H. again at Croydon. (SJ)

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The camera pans with the car as Van sets off in pursuit.

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Leaving the airport behind, Van keeps up with the Motorcyclist.

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The Motorcyclist corners at speed as Van gains on him.

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Suffering a blackout, Van loses control of the car and crashes.

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Boyd Spencer discharges himself from hospital after collapsing the night before.

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Jeannette (Diane Cilento) watches Van and Nick leave her cottage where the crash victim had been recovering after being rescued by his old colleague.

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Having taken Avril to see her brother, Van takes a walk along the causeway. In the distance stands Martello Tower Number 28 at Rye Harbour in Sussex.

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Van reaches a Martello Tower. Martello Tower Number 28 also appears in 'The Quiet Woman' and 'A Marriage of Convenience'.

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The entrance to Martello Tower Number 28.

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Inside Martello Tower Number 28.

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Van enters the old building where he finds Boyd Spencer and his Men along with a printing press for counterfeit dollars. Martello Tower Number 28 at Rye Harbour in Sussex.

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After her brother is shot dead at Spencer's hideout, Avril Talbot (Naomi Chance) drives to the airport.

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As Van walks to his plane to fly back to Southampton, Avril catches up with him and the two embrace.