Wings of Mystery

Once again a later blonde sixties sex bomb makes an early appearance as a toothy teenager in a ponytail when The Children's Film Foundation took Judy Geeson up north to Sheffield in winter to make this whimsical little adventure combining pigeons and industrial espionage against the backdrop of a real steel foundry. Meanwhile on the soundtrack the attractive clarinet score goes all percussive when villainy rears its ugly head to make a grab for "the secret of a new alloy" which serves as the film's MacGuffin.

Every Children's Film Foundation film I've seen so far has been very enjoyable and often shows well known actors and actresses in early roles. A great plot and plenty of action.

A slight departure from the usual norm of camps/dens, cheating bullies...this 1963 film is about industrial espionage and plucky kids (teenagers here) foiling the rogues with some help from homing pigeons. Set mainly in a damp, gritty North, there is also a light plane ride and an exciting chase and escape from a deserted house in Belgium (though this is set near Elstree).

The cast includes Arnold Ridley, who here actually seems older than his later, famous Private Godfrey role in "Dad's Army"; and a 14-Y-O Judy Geeson, displaying some puppy fat but already possessing that lovely, gentle face.

Another enjoyable hour down the CFF memory lane.