THE TUNNEL aka Transatlantic Tunnel (1935) Richard Dix,Leslie Banks,Madge Evens| Drama, Sci-Fi | B&W

The Tunnel, also known as Transatlantic Tunnel in the United States, is a 1935 British science fiction film directed by Maurice Elvey and stars Richard Dix, Leslie Banks, Madge Evans, Helen Vinson, C. Aubrey Smith and Basil Sydney. It is based on the 1913 novel Der Tunnel by Bernhard Kellermann, about the building of a transatlantic tunnel between New York and London. The script was written by Curt Siodmak, L. du Garde Peach and Clemence Dane. The film, produced at a time when the threat of war loomed in Europe, emphasized international cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom.

SYNOPSIS
A team of international scientists and engineers attempts to build a tunnel under the ocean.

A group of wealthy industrialists gather in the home of Mr. Lloyd, a millionaire who introduces them to Richard "Mack" McAllan, the engineer who successfully spearheaded the construction of the Channel Tunnel (the story takes place in the unspecified near future, though it is noted in the film that the Channel Tunnel is built "in 1940") and the Bahamas-Miami tunnel. McAllan informs the group that the "Allanite steel" he developed, along with a "radium drill" developed by his friend Frederick "Robbie" Robbins, makes it possible to construct an undersea tunnel linking England with the United States. Though the group is initially skeptical, the backing of Lloyd and his associate Mostyn convinces the group to buy shares in the project.

Three years into construction of the tunnel, McAllan is a worldwide celebrity, but his work keeps him from his devoted wife Ruth and their young son Geoffrey. Called away to New York, he is informed that the people are losing faith in the project. Lloyd needs to have him use his fame to get support. Lloyd's attractive daughter Varlia, who is secretly in love with McAllan, keeps him company to intensify the attention of the press.

Years pass. Though the cost of the tunnel in lives and money continues to mount, the British prime minister and American president eagerly anticipate its completion and the unity and peace they promise it will bring. Ruth lives in the countryside with her now-grown son, who lobbies Robbins to find him a job working in the tunnel. The tunnel is nearing completion, but the workers encounter a submarine volcano that will necessitate a detour. McAllan needs more money to establish a detour, but is opposed by Grellier, an arms manufacturer, and Mostyn. The two men earlier manipulated the stock market to become the controlling shareholders in the company. Lloyd suspects that Grellier and Mostyn plan to use the delay to depress stock prices again, and this time gain total ownership of the tunnel. However, Varlia convinces Mostyn to fund further construction by promising him the one thing he has always wanted, but never gotten: her hand in marriage. Though the project goes forward, Grellier has Mostyn killed for backing out of their deal.

Despite the renewed effort, samples indicate the volcano may be too large to drill around. The drill breaks through to volcanic gases that kill hundreds of workers, including Geoffrey. The project seems on the verge of collapse. Determined to see the project through and fortified by the reappearance of Ruth (who came to the tunnel site to discover Geoffrey's fate), McAllan vows to continue.

CAST & CREW
Richard Dix as Richard "Mack" McAllan
Leslie Banks as Frederick "Robbie" Robbins
Madge Evans as Ruth McAllan
Helen Vinson as Varlia Lloyd
C. Aubrey Smith as Lloyd
Basil Sydney as Mostyn
Henry Oscar as Grellier
Hilda Trevelyan as Mary
Walter Huston as President of the United States
Cyril Raymond as Harriman
George Arliss as Prime Minister of Great Britain
Jimmy Hanley as Geoffrey McAllan

Directed by Maurice Elvey
Written by Curt Siodmak, L. du Garde Peach, Clemence Dane
Based on Der Tunnel by Bernhard Kellermann
Produced by Michael Balcon
Cinematography Günther Krampf
Edited by Charles Frend
Distributed by Gaumont British
Release dates 27 October 1935 (United States), 11 November 1935 (United Kingdom)
Running time 94 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

NOTES
Bernhard Kellermann's 1913 novel Der Tunnel previously had been filmed three times: once as the German silent Der Tunnel (1915), and then as two sound films Der Tunnel (German) and Le Tunnel (French), both released in 1933 and directed by Curtis Bernhardt. The Tunnel used footage extensively from the 1933 German version.

The New York Times called it an "arresting and strikingly mounted British film," and "An imaginative drama in the best Jules Verne tradition."

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