''Five Weeks in a Balloon'' is a 1962 American

adventure film An adventure film is a form of adventure fiction, and is a genre of film. Subgenres of adventure films include swashbuckler films, pirate films, and survival films. Adventure films may also be combined with other film genres such as action, ani ...

loosely based on the 1863 novel of the same name by

Jules Verne Jules Gabriel Verne (;''Longman Pronunciation Dictionary''. ; 8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905) was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the '' Voyages extra ...

filmed in

CinemaScope CinemaScope is an anamorphic lens series used, from 1953 to 1967, and less often later, for shooting widescreen films that, crucially, could be screened in theatres using existing equipment, albeit with a lens adapter. Its creation in 1953 by ...

. It was produced and directed by

Irwin Allen Irwin Allen (born Irwin O. Cohen, June 12, 1916 – November 2, 1991) was an American film and television producer and director, known for his work in science fiction, then later as the "Master of Disaster" for his work in the disaster film genr ...

; his last

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

in the 1960s before moving to producing several science fiction television series. Although set in Africa, it was filmed in California. Balloonist Don Piccard acted as the film's

technical advisor In film production, a technical advisor is someone who advises the director on the convincing portrayal of a subject. The advisor's expertise adds realism both to the acting and to the setting of a movie. Nipo T. Strongheart was a noted technica ...

. For visual effects, a model of the balloon was used as well as a full-sized unicorn gondola hung from a crane. A

novelisation A novelization (or novelisation) is a derivative novel that adapts the story of a work created for another medium, such as a film, TV series, stage play, comic book or video game. Film novelizations were particularly popular before the adve ...

of the screenplay was written by

Gardner Fox Gardner Francis Cooper Fox (May 20, 1911 – December 24, 1986) was an American writer known best for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. He is estimated to have written more than 4,000 comics stories, including 1,500 for DC ...

Plot

It is 1862 in England. The ''Jupiter'', a manned balloon with a unicorn-shaped gondola, falls from the sky during its maiden flight. Passenger Sir Henry Vining (

Richard Haydn Richard Haydn (born George Richard Haydon, 10 March 1905 – 25 April 1985) was a British-American comedy actor. Some of his better known performances include his roles as Professor Oddley in '' Ball of Fire'' (1941), Roger in '' No Time for Lo ...

) and his treasurer (Ronald Long) scream in horror. However, Professor Fergusson (

Cedric Hardwicke Sir Cedric Webster Hardwicke (19 February 1893 – 6 August 1964) was an English stage and film actor whose career spanned nearly 50 years. His theatre work included notable performances in productions of the plays of Shakespeare and Shaw, and ...

), the balloon's inventor, remains calm, as he planned on giving a dramatic demonstration showing the balloon's controls. On his signal, pilot Jacques ( Fabian), ascends the balloon using a pressure gauge that ensures no loss of gas or ballast. Traumatized by their "near-disaster", Sir Henry, head of the Royal Geographic Society, and his treasurer refuse to fund ''Jupiters exploration of

East Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territories make up Eastern Africa: Due to the historica ...

, and walk out on the professor after landing. American publisher Cornelius Randolph comes to the rescue: He will back the venture if his star reporter and nephew, Donald O'Shay (

Red Buttons Red Buttons (born Aaron Chwatt; February 5, 1919 – July 13, 2006) was an American actor and comedian. He won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his supporting role in the 1957 film '' Sayonara''. He was nominated for awards for his acting work ...

), joins the crew. Unbeknownst to the professor, who is told by Randolph that O'Shay is an "inoffensive young man", O'Shay is notorious in the press for his troublesome antics as a playboy. On the day Fergusson intends to set sail for Africa, he learns that his expedition is halted and that plans have been changed. At the British Parliament, the prime minister commissions Fergusson to defeat a convoy of slave traders heading toward uncharted land near the

Volta River The Volta River is the main river system in the West African country of Ghana. It flows south into Ghana from the Bobo-Dioulasso highlands of Burkina Faso. The main parts of the river are the Black Volta, the White Volta, and the Red Volta. ...

West Africa West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali ...

. The slavers aim to stake their claim within six weeks and take over the territory. Fergusson calculates he needs only five weeks to cross Africa by air and plant the British flag at the river. The Prime Minister recommends that he take O'Shay along as a neutral witness to the planting of their flag. However, he did not calculate the Queen sending along Sir Henry, who proclaims himself to be the "expert on Africa" and demands to be called the "General". While Fergusson meets with the British Consul in

Zanzibar Zanzibar (; ; ) is an insular semi-autonomous province which united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. It is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of many small islan ...

, Jacques spots O'Shay helping to free slave girl Makia ( Barbara Luna), fighting off traders and disrupting her sale. When local authorities order them to return her to her owner, Makia escapes. Angry merchants mob them, but the group is reunited, and the balloon takes off just in time. Landing in a jungle, they learn Makia stowed away to join them, they also adopt a wild

chimpanzee The chimpanzee (''Pan troglodytes''), also known as simply the chimp, is a species of great ape native to the forest and savannah of tropical Africa. It has four confirmed subspecies and a fifth proposed subspecies. When its close relative t ...

called "The Duchess". The following day, the balloon sets down in the Arab city of Hezak, causing a panic. A Muslim priest proclaims that O'Shay is the

Moon God A lunar deity or moon deity is a deity who represents the Moon, or an aspect of it. These deities can have a variety of functions and traditions depending upon the culture, but they are often related. Lunar deities and Moon worship can be fou ...

and the balloon is the moon, making them instant celebrities. They dine with the Sultan in his palace. There, Ahmed, a slave trader (

Peter Lorre Peter Lorre (; born László Löwenstein, ; June 26, 1904 – March 23, 1964) was a Hungarian and American actor, first in Europe and later in the United States. He began his stage career in Vienna, in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, before movin ...

), enters, offering for sale a kidnapped American teacher, Susan Gale (

Barbara Eden Barbara Eden (born Barbara Jean Morehead; August 23, 1931) is an American actress, singer, and producer best known for her starring role as Jeannie in the sitcom '' I Dream of Jeannie'' (1965-1970). Other notable roles include Roslyn Pierce opp ...

). The moon emerges from the horizon, showing the Sultan (

Billy Gilbert William Gilbert Barron (September 12, 1894 – September 23, 1971), known professionally as Billy Gilbert, was an American actor and comedian. He was known for his comic sneeze routines. He appeared in over 200 feature films, short subjects ...

) they are not gods, but mortals. The crew flee to their ship, taking the American. As it launches, Ahmed clambers in, becoming their comic foil. As they encounter mishaps throughout the journey, O'Shay is often held accountable. They blame him for putting the balloon in the path of attacking natives, and releasing its anchor, causing it to drift away. Finally, the crew considers whether they need two American witnesses for their expedition. Finding Susan to be less troublesome, they decide to hand O'Shay over to passing Arab nomads. However, as they descend, O'Shay spots a sandstorm, forcing them to immediately reverse their course. Near

Timbuktu Timbuktu ( ; french: Tombouctou; Koyra Chiini: ); tmh, label=Tuareg, script=Tfng, ⵜⵏⴱⴾⵜ, Tin Buqt a city in Mali, situated north of the Niger River. The town is the capital of the Tombouctou Region, one of the eight administrativ ...

, the balloon lands in an oasis and several of them attempt to gather food and supplies. They are discovered and captured by a mounted patrol of the Sheik of Timbuktu, but O'Shay, Jacques and Ahmed hide and escape in the balloon, which is feared by the patrol. In Timbuktu, Fergusson, Susan, and the General are imprisoned as infidels, and set to be thrown from the highest tower, while Makia is put up for sale. Jacques, Ahmed and O'Shay, in disguise, purchase Makia from a slave trader (also played by Billy Gilbert). Makia warns them of the scheduled executions. The heroes fly the ''Jupiter'' to the tower, fight off a horde of swordsmen and save the others. However, as they take to the sky, one swordsman launches a scimitar that pierces the balloon and it begins to slowly leak. Aboard the gondola, the Professor calculates that with this handicap, they will never beat the slave traders. Both they and the slavers are now neck and neck, only two days away from the Volta River, where they can stake their flag to claim the territory. O'Shay convinces the Professor that they can gain the advantage if they fly through the night. They reach the Volta River first, but the scimitar rips from the balloon and causes it to descend until they empty out all the cargo. As the balloon approaches a bridge, the crew spot the slave traders, who shoot at their balloon. To gain lift and destroy the bridge with the balloon's anchor, they climb into its crow's nest and release the balloon's gondola. This wipes out most of the slave traders, but not their leader, who continues attacking. The balloon finally hits the water close to where the river flows into an enormous waterfall. The group swims for shore, except Ahmed, who cannot swim and rides the balloon as a raft, and O'Shay, who swims back to get their flag. Both men ride down the waterfall, after which Ahmed tells O'Shay to jump to safety with their flag. Ahmed then kills the slave trade leader with a dagger to his heart. O'Shay delivers the flag and wins back the respect of the crew. Finally, Sir Henry admits to the Professor he was wrong in doubting him. The others embrace: Jacques and Makia, Susan and O'Shay, and even Duchess, with a newfound chimpanzee friend.

Cast

as Donald O'Shay * Fabian as Jacques *

as Susan Gale *

as Fergusson *

as Ahmed *

as Sir Henry Vining * BarBara Luna as Makia *

as Sultan *

Herbert Marshall Herbert Brough Falcon Marshall (23 May 1890 – 22 January 1966) was an English stage, screen and radio actor who starred in many popular and well-regarded Hollywood films in the 1930s and 1940s. After a successful theatrical career in the Uni ...

as The Prime Minister *

Reginald Owen John Reginald Owen (5 August 1887 – 5 November 1972) was a British actor. He was known for his many roles in British and American films and television programs. Career The son of Joseph and Frances Owen, Reginald Owen studied at Sir Herbert ...

as Consul *

Henry Daniell Charles Henry Pywell Daniell (5 March 1894 – 31 October 1963) was an English actor who had a long career in the United States on stage and in cinema. He came to prominence for his portrayal of villainous roles in films such as '' Camille'' (1 ...

as Sheik Ageiba *

Mike Mazurki Mike Mazurki (December 25, 1907 – December 9, 1990) was a Ukrainian-American actor and professional wrestler who appeared in more than 142 films. His 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) presence and face had him typecast as often brainless athletes ...

as Slave Captain * Alan Caillou as Inspector * Ben Astar as Myanga *

Raymond Bailey Raymond Thomas Bailey (May 6, 1904 – April 15, 1980) was an American actor, and comedian on the Broadway stage, films, and television. He is best known for his role as greedy banker Milburn Drysdale in the television series ''The Beverly Hill ...

as Randolph * Chester the Chimp as "The Duchess"

Production

In 1955, Tony Curtis announced plans to produce and star in a version of the novel for his own company, Curtleigh, and hired Kathleen Dormer to write a script. He wanted the treatment to be comic and to co-star with

Alec Guinness Sir Alec Guinness (born Alec Guinness de Cuffe; 2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. After an early career on the stage, Guinness was featured in several of the Ealing comedies, including '' Kind Hearts and Coronets'' (1 ...

. The film was not made. In 1956 it was reported a British company wanted to film the novel starring

Robert Ryan Robert Bushnell Ryan (November 11, 1909 – July 11, 1973) was an American actor and activist. Known for his portrayals of hardened cops and ruthless villains, Ryan performed for over three decades. He was nominated for the Academy Award for B ...

. This film was not made either.

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...

had a big hit with ''

Journey to the Centre of the Earth ''Journey to the Center of the Earth'' (french: Voyage au centre de la Terre), also translated with the variant titles ''A Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' and ''A Journey into the Interior of the Earth'', is a classic science fiction novel ...

'' (1959), based on a Verne novel, and made plans for two similar follow ups, '' The Lost World'' (1960), based on the novel by

Arthur Conan Doyle Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for ''A Study in Scarlet'', the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Ho ...

, and ''Five Weeks in a Balloon''. In June 1961,

, who had made ''The Lost World'' announced he had secured rights to the novel after six years of negotiation and would likely make the film at

. The book was mostly in the public domain but was still in copyright in some countries. Allen wanted to release the film in 1962 in time for the one hundredth anniversary of the novel. In June 1961 Allen announced he had signed a multi-picture deal with Fox of which ''Balloon'' would be the first and ''Passage to the End of Space'', an Allen original, would be the second.

, who had just enjoyed a Broadway success in '' A Majority of One'', was cast in the lead. Fabian, who had a long term contract with Fox, signed to play a support role. Another key role went to

who, like Fabian, had just been in Fox's '' The Longest Day'' (1962). There was a race between two producers attempting to be the first to film the story: Allen and the

Woolner Brothers The Woolner Brothers were an American film releasing company formed in 1955, made up of Lawrence (April 22, 1912 – July 21, 1985), Bernard (June 9, 1910 – February 21, 1977), and David Woolner. History After US Army service in World ...

, who made ''

Flight of the Lost Balloon ''Flight of the Lost Balloon'' is a 1961 film produced, written and directed by Nathan Juran and stars Mala Powers and Marshall Thompson. The film was inspired by Jules Verne's 1863 novel ''Five Weeks in a Balloon'' and beat the major Irwin All ...

'' (1961) directed by

Nathan Juran Naftuli Hertz "Nathan" Juran (September 1, 1907 – October 23, 2002) was a Romanian film art director, and later film and television director. As an art director, he won the Oscar for Best Art Direction in 1942 for ''How Green Was My Valley'', ...

. Though Verne's novel was in the

public domain The public domain (PD) consists of all the creative work to which no exclusive intellectual property rights apply. Those rights may have expired, been forfeited, expressly waived, or may be inapplicable. Because those rights have expired ...

, Fox and Allen brought legal pressure against the Woolners to drop all mention of Jules Verne from their film. The Woolner’s were also stopped from using another title for the film - ''Cleopatra and the Cyclops'', intended to exploit the hype of Fox’s own ''

Cleopatra Cleopatra VII Philopator ( grc-gre, Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ}, "Cleopatra the father-beloved"; 69 BC10 August 30 BC) was Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BC, and its last active ruler.She was also a ...

'' (1963). Allen's film is played much more for comedy than Juran's film. In Verne's novel and the Woolner Brothers' film, the balloon was named the ''Victoria''. Allen's film renames it the ''Jupiter'' with Allen giving the name ''Jupiter II'' to the spaceship on ''

Lost in Space ''Lost in Space'' is an American science fiction television series, created and produced by Irwin Allen, which originally aired between 1965 and 1968 on CBS. The series was inspired by the 1812 novel ''The Swiss Family Robinson.'' The series fo ...

''. Filming took place in early 1962. It was the only film being made on the Fox lot at the time, due to costs incurred by ''

'' (1963). The film was entirely shot in Hollywood except for some second unit shots in Africa. Allen wanted to make the film as a straight adventure movie with accent on comedy and youthful romance. He did this to attract teenage girls and mature women who might not normally go to an adventure film. Buttons and Barbara Eden were to take care of comedy and romance, Fabian was for the teenagers. It was Billy Gilbert's first film since suffering a stroke that almost killed him.

Reception

The ''

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the ...

'' said "children will enjoy it but adults will find the whimsy heavy and repetitious."

References

External links