Neutral Port

CinemaSerf

Made at London's Shepherd's Bush studios - just about as far inland as you can get; this jolly wartime drama sees veteran Scots comic actor Will Fyffe play the captain of a merchant ship sunk by the Nazis just off the coast of the neutral territory of "Esperanto". What follows are his none too cunning escapades - alongside his crew - to avenge himself on the enemy by pinching one of their ships from the harbour. All of this much to the chagrin of the British consul - Leslie Banks - who is trying to detect the source of secret transmissions, engaging the handsome fiancée of his daughter (Hugh McDermott) to engage in a little maritime subterfuge. The film is probably 20 minutes too long, and the plot is a little cyclical, but fans of Fyffe will enjoy his gentle humour as the story reaches quite an enjoyable conclusion. Rarely seen, nowadays, but if you get a chance - give it a go.