Transatlantic Tunnel(1935)

A grimly realistic story, set in the future (as visualized in 1935), about the building of an undersea tunnel between England and America. The opening scene (a meeting of millionaires and engineers discussing the project) is reminiscent of a similar scene in `Destination Moon’. The movie’s basic message, is determined men doing a big job despite colossal odds. The special effects are remarkable, the `futuristic’ production designs are gorgeous, and the music is effective. There are some truly gripping moments in this fine motion picture. Especially memorable is the huge mechanism that drills the tunnel beneath the ocean. Modern day tunneling machines are amazingly similar to the one portrayed in this 67-year-old movie. The final scene, showing cars entering the English entrance to the completed tunnel, is impressive when compared to the `chunnel’ which now bridges England and Europe.

cast: Richard Dix, Leslie Banks, Madge Evans, Helen Vinson, C. Aubrey Smith

1935, B&W, 95 minutes