“At Home Flying High At The Movies” Volume II, No. 7 August 2021

By Stephanie Mardesich

As airports and airlines increase service after the past year’s disruption it’s a busy time with summer vacations and plans for travel through end of the year and further. For those not yet ready to take a flight, tune in to some movies with plots involving planes or flying. No ticket or passport required! BYO your own snacks, libation or soda and candy (popcorn for the movies always a pro pos). Buckle your seat belt (or not) and enjoy the ride.

Wings (USA, Mono (Western Electric), 1927, 144 min., PG13, dir. William Wellman)

This “silent” romantic WW I story of fighter pilots David Armstrong (Richard Arlen) and Jack Powell (Charles “Buddy” Rogers) from same town, different social classes, who vie for affection of Sylvia Lewis (Jobyna Ralston.) won the first ever Academy Award® for Best Picture. Sylvia actually loves affluent David, though doesn’t let on, while erstwhile Mary Preston (the “It Girl” Clara Bow) is madly in love with mechanic Jack, who regards her more as a friend. The men are deployed to the battlefront and rivalry over Sylvia intensities, though with the challenges of war they eventually become fast friends. Among outstanding cast is early role for Gary Cooper. (Cadet White). Winner of Additional Oscar® for Effects/Engineering Effects. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047086/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_51

Flying Down To Rio (USA, RKO, 1933, 89 min., dir. Thornton Freeland)

Band leader and ace pilot Roger Bond (Gene Raymond) is also a flirt consequently gets the band “fired” from latest gig in Florida, though quickly lands another in Brazil at new hotel opening in Rio de Janero. Though not before he’s become smitten with South American beauty Belinha (Delores Del Rio). A love triangle evolves as unbeknownst to Roger she’s engaged to his friend Julio (Raul Roulien). Roger’s band buddy Fred Hayes (Fred Astaire) always steps, or dances, in to salvage the situation, aided by chanteuse Honey Hale (Ginger Rogers) – in the first screen pairing of famous Astaire/Rogers duo (12 films in all).

Lively and romantic songs (Music Makes Me, the Carioca, When Orchids Bloom In the Moonlight and Flying Down To Rio to name a few) written by Vincent Young (music); Gus Kahn Gus and Edward Eliscu (lyrics). The unique aerial choreography by dance director Dave Gould, assisted by Hernes Pan, is a feat of genius. Pan went on to become Astaire's primary collaborator. Frequently to appear in the future films is ever punctilious Eric Blore. Oscar® nod for “best music, original song “The Carioca”, ironically losing to another Astair/Rogers pic “The Continental” (The Gay Divorce ). The movie is pure charming entertainment.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024025/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Bright Eyes (USA, Fox Film Corp., 1934, 85 min., dir. David Butler)

Little Shirley Blake (Shirley Temple) is daughter of late great ace pilot and beloved mascot of the airport where his aviator buddies are based . Her widowed mother Mary (Lois Wilson) is maid for wealthy curmudgeon Uncle Ned Smythe (Charles Sellon) in whose home they also reside. Also living with Uncle Ned are his mercenary nephew and snobby wife and their irascible spoiled brat daughter Mary (Jane Withers).

On the day of Shirley’s birthday her mother is struck by an auto and dies. Her godfather Loop Merrit (James Dunn) steps up to possibly adopt her, though Adele Martin (Judith Allen) his former fiancé ,and niece of Uncle Ned, enters the scene and immediately bonds with Shirley. In meantime Uncle Ned who has always been partial to Shirley wants to adopt her. Courtroom struggle ensues and if you don’t know who prevails, watch the movie! If Shirley Temple hadn’t already captured the hearts of America this film sealed her popularity with nothing less than when she performs, probably her most famous song, “On The Good Ship Lollipop” aboard the plane she’s about to soar in. Sweet supporting performance by Jane Darwell as cook Mrs. Higgins, among other strong cast.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024914/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_34

The High And The Mighty (USA, Wayne Fellows Productions/ WB, 1954, 147 min., dir. William Wellman)

Intense story of flight from Hawaii to California when engine fails and pilot Dan Roman (John Wayne) prepares for potential crash landing. Panicking passengers, and capable crew, assess their lives. Stellar cast includes Robert Stack, Laraine Day, Claire Trevor, Jan Sterling, Phil Harris, Sydney Blackmer and many more. Prelude to “star studded” disaster movies to come decades later. Six Oscar® nominations, one win for Best Score (Dimitri Tiomkin); DGA nod for Wellman.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047086/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_51

The Spirit of St. Louis (USA, Leland Hayward Productions, 1957, 135 min., dir. Billy Wilder)

Based on book by Charles “Lucky Lindy” Lindberg (James Stewart) recounting his passion for flying as hegives his all to finance and design an airplane that will make his New York to Paris flight the first solo transatlantic crossing. One Oscar® nod for Best Special Effects though Stewart also worthy of nod for Best Actor and Wilder for direction. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051003/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

633 Squadron (UK/USA,1964, 103 min., dir. Walter E. Grauman)

Another different angle on WW II D-Day invasion from the aerial POV with RAF squadron is assigned to knock out a German rocket fuel factory in Norway that supplies fuel for the Nazi effort to launch rockets on England during D-Day. Strong performances by Cliff Robertson (Wing Commander Roy Grant) and (ever handsome!) George Chakiris (Lt. Erik Bergman) a true hero of the effort. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057811/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_38

Flight of The Phoenix (USA, The Associates & Aldrich Company, 1965, 142 min., dir. Robert Aldrich)

A cargo plane with limited number of passengers crashes in Sahara Desert. One of the travelers Frank Towns (James Stewart) is an aircraft designer and believes it could be possible to use the undamaged wing as basis to build an aircraft and escape before their rations run out. Exciting and entertaining with strong supporting cast including: Peter Finch, Richard Attenborough, Ian Bannen, Ernest Borgnine, and all time “nemeses” Dan Duryea.

Two Oscar® nods, including Bannen “Best Supporting Actor.” Remade in 2004.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059183/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Airport (USA, Ross Hunter Productions, 1970, 137 min., G, dir. George Seaton)

Star studded cast in film that lead the way for “disaster” movie genre. Ten Oscar® nods, one win for Helen Hayes “Best Supporting Actress.”

Precursor to future "epic" 70's disaster movies portrays 12 hours in the lives of the personnel and passengers at the "Lincoln Airport." Endless professional and personal problems abound for the safe administration of air traffic, management and aviation at the major USA airport. A dangerous snowstorm, schedules gone awry, an elderly Trans Global Airlines stowaway, shortages, an aging pilot, unreasonable, disgruntled spouses, work force issues, fuel problems, frozen runways and equipment malfunctions are the obstacles faced by weary personnel and passengers including one long-suffering pilot's wife, rigid men, office politics and romance, and one passenger with a bomb add up to a lot of tension and action. Buckle your seat belt for a bumpy ride!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065377/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Airplane! (USA, Paramount Pictures, 1980, 88 min., PG dir. Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker)

A decade after the tour de force proto type for disaster movies Airport this hilarious spoof on the topic of airplanes and airports still elicits loads of laughs. All “star” cast includes: Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Barbara Billingsly, Robert Hays, Julie Haggerty and many more. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080339/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Aviator (USA/Germany, Forward Pass/Appian Way, 2004, 170 min., PG13, dir. Martin Scorcese)

Story of legendary millionaire/recluse Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) beginning with his early filmmaking years as principal of RKO Pictures, then focusing on his role in designing and promoting new aircraft. Hughes was a risk-taker spending several fortunes on designing experimental aircraft (e.g. The Spruce Goose – all wood plane) eventually founding Trans World Airlines (TWA) main competitor to Pan American Airways (Pan Am) owned by his great rival Juan Trippe (Alec Baldwin). When Trippe's political “insider” Senator Ralph Owen Brewster (Alan Alda) accuses Hughes of being a war profiteer, it's Hughes who gains the upper hand.

Quietly flamboyant Hughes also had many women in his life including liaisons with actresses Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchette), Ava Gardner (Kate Bekinsale), and Jean Harlow (Gwen Stefani) among other “starlets.” From an early age Hughes was germ phobic that taxed his mental stability. His genius is apparent, his demons lurking.

Film garnered 11 Oscar® nods with five wins.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338751/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Flyboys (UK/USA, Electric Entertainment, 2006, 140 min., PG13, dir. Tony Bill)

Pre WWI and U.S.A. not yet in the war so some young American men join up with the French and later become fighter pilots for the “Yanks” forming the “Lafayette Escadrille” squadron that achieved huge results and accolades.

The aerial special effects are extraordinary with bi-planes actually constructed for authenticity. Excellent cast includes: James Franco, Jean Reno, Scott Hazell.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454824/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines (UK, 20th Century Fox, 1965, 138 min., G, dir. Ken Annakin)

It’s the early days of aviation in 1910 when a British newspaper offers a prize for the winner of a cross-channel air race that brings flyers from all over the world. Numerous subplots converge as the flyers vie for positioning, and the affections of various women including Patricia Rawnsley (Sarah Miles) wooed by Orvile Newton (Stuart Whitman).Droll support cast includes Robert Morley, Terry Thomas, Benny Hill. Oscar® nod for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059797/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)

www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)