Five Weeks in a Balloon

I love this movie. Not only is it exciting and adventurous, it also has a rather catchy theme song. This movie also has an allstar cast (well, at least they were big stars in 1962). The characters are perfect: from the always calm and collected Professor with a dry sense of humor to the pompous general whose last request before his execution is some hot water to fill his prize teapot. I recommend this to anyone looking for a fun adventure movie.

While I applaud the studio for releasing this wonderful Irwin Allen film from the fate of dark obscurity too many films from the golden age suffer, they should strive for the best rendition possible. In this case Five Weeks In A Balloon was filmed in CinemaScope - widescreen. This pan-n-scan dvd does not do this great flick justice.

One of the least known Jules Verne-inspired films and likely one of the few that can be specifically classified as a comedy.

Tells the story of trailblazing inventor Professor Angus Fergusson, played by Sir Cedric Hardwicke, who develops a revolutionary aerostatic balloon. But unlike traditional balloons, which simply funnels heated air from its source, his method utilizes mechanically assisted avionics which allows extremely rapid ascents and descents while adding pitch and yaw. Unfortunately "The Jupiter" is mocked by the press and he himself is labeled a madman for his 'imbecilic contraption'; more likely to kill himself and anyone foolish enough to ride with him.

His anger is only mollified when a wealthy American newspaper publisher steps in to fill the depleted financial coffers in his attempt to map the African interior.

The newspaperman wants two things for that fiscal support. First, exclusive rights to print the adventures of flying into the unknown. And second, the professor must take along his nephew on the journey. Portraying goofy Donald O'Shay, Red Buttons is the Paris Hilton of his day, and his wealthy uncle can no longer tolerate the public humiliation. He'll pay anything to get his troublesome kin away from the press, out of the public limelight, and cutoff from proper society. Even fund an expedition into uncharted lands.

Unbeknownst to all, the professor is quietly invited to a private meeting with the Prime Minister. A meeting that is actually at the secret behest of The Crown itself, Queen Victoria, and her plan to prevent a terrible tragedy.

Slave traders are inbound toward unexplored Africa lands - and should they be the first to plant their flag, will have international rights to begin taking innocents into their sick perverted trade. Her Majesty has rightly deemed it evil and has tasked Professor Fergusson to be her unofficial envoy to stop it. Britain must get there first.

However, the government cannot openly condone such an adventure without risking considerable political damage. So Fergusson is asked to take on the mission without official sanction. Should things go awry, he will be left alone to suffer whatever fate befalls him. Will he accept such a dangerous mission?

As if there were any question.

So begins a humorous light-hearted adventure as the group, which will eventually include an escaped slave and her would-be slave captor, a rescued American missionary, 60's pop songster Fabian, and a clever chimpanzee.

Personal Notes:

- Sir Cedric could be an amazing dramatist - i.e. The Ten Commandments. But that deep sonorous baritone did not cover sometimes questionable performances, this film being an excellent case in point. Personally never found his work outside of drama particularly convincing.

- Have always enjoyed the incredible Red Buttons in whatever he project he undertook. The man was just so entertaining, but particularly during this period of his career.

- Barbara Eden is, for me, one of the most beautiful women to have ever graced the screen. Period.

One of the better star-studded adventure movies helmed by producer/director Irwin Allen, FIVE WEEKS IN A BALLOON (based on the Jules Verne novel) is ideal entertainment for the whole family.

When a party of explorers (led by Cedric Hardwicke, Red Buttons, Richard Haydn and Fabian) set out for uncharted African territory in an elaborate hot-air balloon device, their journey instead takes them on a rollicking rollercoaster of danger, thrills and romance all the way from London to Timbuktu! Barbara Eden co-stars as the lovely schoolteacher the group saves from an Arabian slavetrader; with fine support from Peter Lorre and Barbara Luna.

FIVE WEEKS IN A BALLOON, filmed in deluxe colour and CinemasScope, was a big ratings winner for 1962. The performances all-round are very pleasing, especially Richard Haydn as the dithering old Colonel, and Barbara Eden provides the requisite love interest (she'd previously worked with Irwin Allen in 1961's "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea"). The very catchy theme song, composed by Jodi Desmond, is sung over the main titles by The Brothers Four, later reprised in the movie by Fabian.

Ideal lazy Saturday afternoon fare.

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