Roeder Family Archives lroeder@artbyroeder.com

Saw “Bombay Clipper” at the movies onboard ship. 

Note:  This is a fascinating entry in the diary of Arthur Faulstich since the film wasn’t released until mid January, 1942 in the United States. 

Was their pre-release version different than the official release version – and when was it loaded on the ship?

Friday, Dec 26, 1941

According to the NY Times, A "B" picture with "A" aspirations, Bombay Clipper mostly takes place on a flight from India to San Francisco. Someone has absconded with $4,000,000 worth of diamonds, and may be a passenger. International news correspondent Jim (William Gargan) hopes to solve the mystery to get a big scoop for his paper, and to repair his tattered marriage to Frankie (Irene Hervey). Less than five minutes before the end, the jewel thief is revealed, whereupon the culprit tries to take over the plane and dispose of the other passengers. Made on a tight budget, Bombay Clipper is nonetheless beautifully and meticulously photographed by Stanley Cortez, who on the strength of this and other Universal projects was signed by Orson Welles to lens the classic Magnificent Ambersons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide