Clip description
Just after the First World War, Charles Kingsford Smith (Ron Randell) secures the backing of the Blackburn Aviation Co for his entry to the inaugural England to Australia Air Race, but he is dismayed when he meets the Australian Prime Minister, Mr WM Hughes (playing himself) at the Savoy Hotel in London. Hughes forbids his entry, because he has no navigation skills and no experience of long-range flying.
Curator’s notes
This is not the scene that Hall had originally envisaged when the venerable Billy Hughes agreed to play himself. The original script had Hughes literally turning off his hearing aid to avoid hearing Kingsford Smith’s arguments about why he should be allowed to go. Hughes objected to the scene. Even though his deafness was common knowledge, he did not want it mentioned. Ken Hall had to shoot the scene to conceal the hearing aid in Hughes’s right ear. The scene was cut entirely from the US release version, because Columbia boss Harry Cohn tried to hide the fact that the film had been made in Australia.
Charles Kingsford Smith appeals to a representative of the Blackburn Aviation Co for backing. They are talking at a large desk.
Charles Kingsford Smith It’s a chance to prove that air travel over oceans is practical. It’s the beginning of a new age – the age of flight. Flying’s young now, but it’s going to grow. And I want to grow with it.
Man And what made you think I’d be so foolish as to back you?
Mr Smith Well, you’re progressive. And besides, there’s worldwide publicity. New markets for your machine, and … and a lot more.
Man Well, if I do this – mind you, I’m not saying I will – but if I do it, it won’t just be for those things. You see, Mr Smith, I too believe in the future of aviation. It’s my business to believe it. Of course, you’ve planned the route you intend to fly?
Mr Smith Oh, yes, sir. May I show you on the map, sir?
Mr Hughes Oh, certainly. Just this way.
A newspaper headline declares that Kingsford Smith is backed by Blackburn in the air race to Australia. The by-line notes that the Australian prime minister, Mr WM Hughes, will personally interview all race entrants. Mr Smith attends at the Savoy Hotel for his appointment with Mr Hughes.
Mr WM Hughes Come in, come in.
Bellboy Gentleman to see you, sir.
Mr Hughes Come in. How do you do?
Mr Smith How do you do, sir.
Mr Hughes I understand you’re Lieutenant Kingsford Smith?
Mr Smith That’s right, sir.
Mr Hughes Take a seat. Have a cigarette, will you?
Mr Smith No thank you, sir.
Mr Hughes No? I understand you want to have a shot at this flight to Australia.
Mr Smith Yes, Mr Hughes. It looks as if Blackburn will let us have a machine.
Mr Hughes What experience have you had in long-distance flying?
Mr Smith Well, over the Hun lines and back every day.
Mr Hughes Well, you don’t call that long-distance flying, surely? The flight to Australia is a horse of a very different colour. I am told, on the best of authority, that neither you nor your co-pilot know anything at all about navigation.
Mr Smith We don’t have to, sir. We have maps.
Mr Hughes What kind of maps?
Mr Smith Well, railway maps are the only ones available. We’ll get through on those, sir.
Mr Hughes You will, eh? To the best of my knowledge, there are no railways running between India and Australia. What are you going to do with these railway maps of yours when you get over the sea?
Mr Smith You wouldn’t stop us, sir?
Mr Hughes Yes, my boy, I would. You may get a good machine. But that’s not enough. I have a great responsibility to your parents, and to the people of Australia. I can’t just let you go out and commit suicide. That’s what you’ll be doing.
Mr Smith But you can’t stop us now, sir! We’ll get through somehow.
Mr Hughes I am sorry. I’m really sorry, Smith, you know. I hate doing this to you, boy. But flying to Australia, 12,000 miles, is not like flying over the Hun lines, as you call it. Your spirit’s alright, but your organisation is not! Goodbye, my boy. Someday when you’ve accomplished something really big in flying, as I believe you will, you’ll realise that I probably saved your life.