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Stewart is both humorous and compelling as an eccentric scientist working for the Royal Aircraft Establishment, which has just produced a new airplane, the Reindeer. Stewart has studied this craft closely and goes to his superior, Hawkins, to tell him that the plane has a serious defect, that its tail assembly will break away from metal fatigue after approximately 1,440 flying hours. Hawkins, unconvinced, thinks Stewart is unduly alarmed since the scientist has yet to conduct elaborate tests to prove his theory. But he sends widower Stewart to Labrador to investigate the inexplicable crash of a new Reindeer. En route Stewart learns that the Reindeer in which he is flying has logged 1,420 hours and he insists that the plane turn back, but the pilot refuses. Stewart explains the problem to Dietrich, a famous musical star, and to stewardess Johns. Both are convinced of Stewart's sincerity, but the plane lands without mishap and is examined. Nothing amiss is found, and the Reindeer prepares to take off once more. Stewart wrecks the undercarriage of the plane to prevent loss of life and is returned to England to face charges from his company. Dietrich shows up, as does Johns, and both women support Stewart and his little girl, Scott. Johns practically moves in with Stewart to take care of him and Scott. It appears that Stewart is off his rocker, but Hawkins backs him up and allows him to conduct exhaustive and expensive tests on the Reindeer aircraft. For weeks Stewart sleeplessly labors with the problems and just when Hawkins is about to call off the costly experimenting, the tail section falls off and Stewart is vindicated. His dogged beliefs eventually save many lives. Stewart is very convincing as the bumbling scientist, and Johns is pert and appealing, but Dietrich steals every scene in which she appears. She dresses in snug suits, veils, and furs designed by Christian Dior. Dietrich simply played Dietrich in this film, and she was captivating.