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The
Sun Never Sets
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 Doug Fairbanks Jr., C. Aubrey Smith, Basil Rathbone |
 Mary Forbes, Basil Rathbone, Doug Fairbanks Jr. |
 Barbara O'Neill, Basil Rathbone |
 Barbara O'Neill, Basil Rathbone |
Basil Rathbone made The Sun Never Sets during the part of his career when he almost always was offered the "villain" roles (as in David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Captain Blood, Love From a Stranger, and The Adventures of Robin Hood for example). It's refreshing to see Rathbone in a heroic role, playing a character we can like and admire. And Rathbone was anxious to play such roles and avoid being typecast as a villain.
While I can point out several flaws with the film, the fine performances by the cast brought the characters to life, making them very real. I really cared about what happened to the characters and I was so caught up in the drama, that I hardly noticed or cared that the plot was rather contrived. Rathbone and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. have some great scenes together.
Melville Cooper provided some comedy. Explaining why he didn't want to return to England, he said, "I have a wife in England. She doesn't like me when I'm drunk, and I don't like her when I'm sober."
Although the film was not a box-office success, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Critics blamed the film's failure on producer-director Rowland Lee, and Lee blamed the failure on the script.
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"The Sun Never Sets" with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Basil Rathbone Although this is just fair entertainment, it may do well at the box-office because of the popularity of the two leading players. The story, which is a rather wild melodrama, is far-fetched. For instance, one is supposed to take seriously the idea that a man, by means of broadcasting from a remote section on the African Gold Coast, could cause riots in nations throughout the world and foment war between these nations. The picture should direct its appeal mostly to those who enjoy somewhat fantastic melodramas; but intelligent audiences will find it slightly silly. Since the background, atmosphere, and manners are definitely British, the picture is further limited in its appeal to Americans. There are two romances: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and his brother (Basil Rathbone), both connected with the British Diplomatic Service, leave for the African gold coast to investigate the actions of a scientist (Basil Rathbone), a suspicious character. Rathbone's wife (Barbara O'Neil) insists on accompanying them, even though she was expecting a child. Fairbanks refuses to marry his sweetheart (Virginia Fields) until he would return. Having received a message from one of his assistants, who was being held captive by Atwill's men, Rathbone is compelled to leave his wife on the very night she was expecting her baby. During his absence, Atwill calls on Fairbanks, who knew nothing about him. Atwill convinces him that he ought to call his brother back. Fairbanks, frantic with worry over Miss O'Neil's condition, sends a messenger after Atwill with false information, which brings Rathbone back. The blunder later brings disgrace to Rathbone, who refuses to involve his brother. Fairbanks later redeems himself by discovering the whereabouts of the radio station used by Atwill to broadcast his messages. But he is captured. Rathbone receives orders to bomb the radio station. He proceeds with the work, even though he knew his brother was there. Fairbanks, however, manages to escape; the others are killed. Fairbanks and Rathbone are congratulated for their good work and are promoted. Fairbanks marries Miss Fields. Jerry Horwin and Arthur Fitz-Richard wrote the story, and W. P. Lipscomb, the screen play; Rowland V. Lee directed and produced it. In the cast are C. Aubrey Smith, Melville Cooper, Theodore VonEltz, Mary Forbes, and others. Suitability, Class A. Temp, pretty fast. —Harrison's Report, June 17, 1939 |
Universal had high hopes for this story of the British Colonial Service. In 1939, when this film was made, the British civil services administered to more than 500 million people over territory that covered 13 million square miles all over the world.
Universal initially assigned James Whale (known for Frankenstein and other horror classics) to direct the picture, but it didn't work out. "James Whale is tiffing with the studio over his next picture, The Sun Never Sets. The director is reported not to like the story, and unless this difference of opinion is straightened out shortly, Whale may leave the lot and not renew his contract, which has only four weeks to run." (From Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin, August 27, 1938)
In January 1939, Rowland Lee was assigned to direct the picture and given a budget of $800,000. Shooting started on March 13. Interior scenes were shot at the studio. The crew spent two weeks filming at an exterior set in Tarzana, California, which represented the African village.
Rowland Lee also directed Love from a Stranger, Son of Frankenstein and Tower of London.
The film was released June 9, 1939, which happened to coincide with a royal visit to the USA by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (June 7-12, 1939).
 Virginia Field, Doug Fairbanks Jr., Basil Rathbone, Barbara O'Neill |
 The Randolph family |
 Doug Fairbanks Jr., Basil Rathbone |
 Seated: Barbara O'Neill, Mary Forbes, Virginia Field Standing: John Burton, Basil Rathbone |
Rathbone had worked with Lionel Atwill in Captain Blood (1935), Son of Frankenstein (1939), and The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939). He would again be paired with Atwill in Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942).
C. Aubrey Smith (Great Britain personified) had appeared in The Garden of Allah (1936) and Romeo and Juliet (1936). He later had a cameo appearance at the train station in the 1946 Sherlock Holmes film Terror by Night.
Barbara O'Neill and Basil Rathbone had the opportunity to act together again in Tower of London, also filmed in 1939.
Rathbone appeared with Mary Forbes in Anna Karenina (1935), Captain Blood (1935), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939), Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943), and Terror by Night (1946). Forbes also had an uncredited role in 1941's Paris Calling. Mary Forbes was the mother of Ralph Forbes, an actor who also appeared in several films with Basil Rathbone.
Melville Cooper shared screen time with Basil Rathbone in Tovarich (1937), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Dawn Patrol (1938), and Heartbeat (1946)
The Sun Never Sets was the only film Rathbone made with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., but they were friends and saw one another socially.
This was also the only film that Rathbone made with Virginia Field.
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"The Sun Never Sets" ACTION, ROMANCE AND COMEDY EFFECTIVELY BLENDED FOR POP ENTERTAINMENT. This tale of the British Colonial Service has been tellingly produced and directed by Rowland V. Lee. Lee has blended the action, romance and comedy effectively. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Basil Rathbone, Lionel Atwill, C. Aubrey Smith, Virginia Field and Melville Cooper turn in splendid performances, with Cooper supplying most of the comedy. Douglas Walton, Mary Forbes, Arthur Mulliner, Theodor Von Eltz, John Burton and Cecil Kellaway are others who do good work. W. P. Lipscomb wrote a gripping screenplay, based on the story by Jerry Horwin and Arthur Fitz-Richard. Jack Otterson designed some interesting sets for the production. For generation, the C. Aubrey Smith family has been in the British Colonial service and Smith sells his grandson, Fairbanks, Jr., the idea of joining it. He is assigned to the African Gold Coast, where Atwill, a multi-millionaire, who passes as an eccentric scientist, is active. Rathbone is also on duty on the Gold Coast, his assignment being to check on the activities of Atwill, whom the British government believes is planning to plunge all Europe into war. With his wife, Barbara O'Neil, about to have a baby, Rathbone is called up country. Fairbanks, Jr., sends a fake message telling him to come back. Rathbone returns and because of his neglect of duty, is ordered home. On Atwill's mining property, Fairbanks, Jr., discovers a hidden and very powerful radio station, which is being used for broadcasting propaganda. Pretending to be drunk, he stumbles in front of the microphone and shouts an old family byword. His uncles in London hear the broadcast, know that he is at the station and that it must be destroyed immediately. A bombing squadron is sent out, with Rathbone leading them. When the planes are overhead Atwill has Fairbanks, Jr., thrown outside. A heavy bomb finds its mark and kills everyone at the station but John. Rathbone is restored to favor in the Colonial service, because of Fairbanks, Jr.'s heroism. DIRECTION, Effective. PHOTOGRAPHY, Very Good. —The Film Daily, June 12, 1939 |
"Only slightly more agonizing than young Mr. Fairbanks' throes in putting this subversive two & two together is the sight of middle-aged Mr. Rathbone, as a sort of Imperial Rover Boy, lashing about the jungle in bush jacket and shorts, caught barekneed between Love & Duty." —Time magazine, June 19, 1939
"Clive's pressure between duty and love of wife causes him to have a brief bout of hysteria, and the scene here where he is overcome with emotion is reminiscent of his SON OF FRANKENSTEIN's hysteria scenes. ... [The film's] salute to the British Empire as a stabilizing source in a troubled world was a likely tonic to a nervous world holding its breath as to when conflagration would erupt." —Kevin Deany, "British Empire Blogathon Sun Never Sets," Kevin's Movie Corner
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 with Lionel Atwill |
 Clive is puzzled by Carpenter's message |
 Helen is very sick. |
"With Rathbone and Fairbanks sharing the actors' honors, they are ably assisted by a stellar cast of outstanding actors and actresses." —The Star Press (Muncie, Indiana), June 25, 1939
"Basil Rathbone ... is impeccable." —The Montreal Gazette, June 17, 1939
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The Sun Never Sets The exploitable name values in "The Sun Never Sets" are Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Basil Rathbone, Barbara O'Neil, Lionel Atwill, Virginia Field, C. Aubrey Smith and Melville Cooper. Of significance also are the facts that the producer director, Rowland V. Lee, and the screen play author, W. P. Lipscomb, have been associated with several earlier productions of historical and semi-historical background. The picture is both a family story and one of service to a nation. The seed of the story idea is the British overseas colonial consular service. The picture concerns itself with a great many things before it reaches the punch of its plot. Consequently there is an overabundance of dialogue and situations that have comparatively little meaning. Loyal, self-effacing service in England's far-flung colonies and protectorates has long been considered the patriotic duty of the "Randolph" family. It is the life blood of elder brother, "Clive." Younger brother "John" has no liking for it, but is inveigled to serve by grandfather "Sir John." When the national safety of England, as well as that of the world, is menaced, "John," derelict in his duty on the African Gold Coast, is responsible for "Clive's" demotion, a disgrace to the family escutcheon. "John's" self-satisfying alibi is that his brother's wife was about to have a baby. But when he discovers a pseudo-scientist. "Zurof," is broadcasting the subversive propaganda via a secret radio hidden in darkest Africa, he interrupts a broadcast (while presumably in a drunken stupor) with information which leads bombing planes to the location. The stain removed from family tradition, "John" is proud to follow in the footsteps of family tradition and those of "Clive," who has been reinstated. Previewed in the Pantages Theatre, Hollywood. The audience was restless. —Gus McCarthy —Motion Picture Herald, June 10, 1939 |
"The Sun Never Sets is dedicated to the men who have given the best years of their lives and their utter loyalty to serving the Empire in its most dangerous and least healthy outposts. But the heavy hands of the scenarists ... bear down too-too melodramatically on the hackneyed material which is intended to eulogize the colonial service and not, as it sometimes seems to do, satirize it. . . . Barbara O'Neil, Virginia Field, Lionel Atwill, C. Aubrey Smith and Melville Cooper do their best to help the principals put some feeling of reality into the action on the screen, but the going isn't easy for any of them." —New York Daily News, June 9, 1939
"The film proves once more that Hollywood is decidedly adept at flag-waving—especially when it is the British flag." —The Vancouver Province, June 16, 1939
 Doug Fairbanks Jr. and Basil Rathbone |
 Doug Fairbanks Jr. and Basil Rathbone |
 Basil Rathbone |
 Basil Rathbone and player |
"The Spirit of Empire can weigh down a picture, and I fear that Director Rowland V. Lee ... permits his enthusiasm for the Realm to submerge the plot of The Sun Never Sets." —John Mosher, The New Yorker, June 10, 1939
"The Sun Never Sets was really setting sun on this type of melodrama, the for-real war about to sweep that away along with Hollywood (or anyone's) celebration of class distinction, all a more reason to treasure antiquity this is. Duty and honor get a workout, plus ultimate sacrifice for Empire interests, in this case put-down of Atwill scheme, occasion for the film's one-only action spasm. Sun Never Sets is essentially a B boasting an A cast." —John McElwee, "Basil Brings His Movie Camera to Work," Greenbrier Picture Shows, October 31, 2016
See Page Two for more reviews and photos from the film. See Page Three for pictures of posters, lobby cards and promo photos.
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Haven't seen the film? You can watch it online for free: https://archive.org/details/sun.-never.-sets.-1939
