It's in the Air

This is by far one of George Formby's funniest films. It is jam-packed full of humor and a touch of romance. I recommend this film to anyone who likes a good laugh. Unfortunately, they don't make films like this anymore!

Rejected from the RAF, George (Formby) dons his brother-in-law's RAF uniform and pretends to be a despatch rider, but finds himself stuck in the camp under orders and having to take part in drills.

Good standard, charming and enjoyable Formby star vehicle. Made in pre-war, pre-Munich Britain, this is a patriotic early propaganda film produced by Basil Dean. It also includes such great tunes as 'Our Sergeant Major' which has a couple of good support performances from the likes of Julien Mitchell and Formby regular Garry Marsh.

The brother-in-law of an RAF messenger finds an addressed letter in the pocket of his uniform after the brother-in-law has changed clothes at home and left on a three-day pass to visit his mother. Thinking that his sister's husband forgot to deliver the important message, George Brown decides to deliver it for him. So, he dons the other's uniform and takes off, posing as his brother-in-law. But, once on the base, he's caught in a series of orders and assignments that lead to pandemonium.

It's a funny tale with Formby playing his ukulele, being the butt of pranks by a Corporal Craig, and his befuddling the Sergeant Major. But the pranks by Craig backfire as the top dog's daughter, Peggy, falls for George and leaves Craig in the lurch. It all ends with some crazy flying scenes that are a mix of models and real flying in a biplane with Brown at the controls and Craig as his radio operator.

This 1938 British film by Associated Talking Pictures was titled "It's in the Air" in the U. K. It was renamed for U. S. release as "George Takes the Air." That was most likely to distinguish it from a 1935 Jack Benny comedy film, "It's in the Air."

My mother took me out to cinema when I was 4 years old. It was this film that made great impression on me. Now, 75 years later I still remember the tune of this film: it's in the air. The film is dated, but George Formby songs are as fresh as when I first heard them. A realy fine memory

This was a nice George Formby vehicle, or vehicles - first the passion of his life, a motorbike then an aeroplane. It was also a flag-waver-in-advance with no mention of the War to come 7 months after release or the Nazis.

George wants to join the Air Force but is refused because he can't tell left from right - after a series of accidents and practical jokes played on him he's in, and in love. The songs were They Can't Fool Me (over the radio and with a tremendous solo on the uke), Our Sergeant Major (2 versions Worst and Best) and the hepped-up and therefore more dated It's In The Air (with Polly Ward in the rather crowded canteen). Jack Hobbs played the enigmatic practical joking corporal with a mental age of 5, not really what was needed in the RAF I should have thought! Garry Marsh had a great part as the CO, but a lot of the familiar gang were in sterling attendance too. George was also described in here as having a face like a horse with a row of teeth like a graveyard ... now you know what it took to be a superstar!

It reflects back to us now a sadly dead world in all senses of the word. With a satisfying but implausible flying climax it remains one of Formby's better films.