Stormy Weather (1935 film)

Stormy Weather is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Tom Walls and starring Walls, Ralph Lynn and Robertson Hare.

It is based on a story by Ben Travers. Since 1930 a popular series of film adaptations of Traver's Aldwych Farces had been released. Although this film was based on an original screenplay by Travers rather than one of his stage farces, it featured a number of actors who had appeared in Aldwych films. The film was made by Gainsborough Pictures at Islington Studios. The film's sets were designed by art director Alex Vetchinsky.

Sir Duncan Craggs retires from the Colonial Service and returns to London with his new French wife. The couple are devoted to each other, but continually flirt with other people. Sir Duncan is appointed to the board of clothing retail chain. On his tour of inspection he encounters a successful store run by the efficient Bullock. By contrast a neighbouring shop is filed with unhelpful staff overseen by an incompentent and lazy manager, Raymond Penny, who is more interested in horseracing than running his shop. Craggs is unimpressed by Penny and summons him to a meeting in London. Both Bullock and his domineering wife travel up to London as well, fearing that Penny will tell Craggs malicious stories about them.

Back in London Mrs Craggs is horrified to discover she is still married to the White Russian Count Polotsky, who she had thought was dead. The villainous Polotsky plans to kidnap her and blackmail her new husband. Craggs, Penny and Bullock eventually rescue her from the Chinatown dive where she is being held. It is discovered that Polotsky has married a young Chinese woman and is equally guilty as bigamy, and they are also able to recover all incriminating evidence as well. In gratitude Craggs appoints Penny as his assistant.