Richard Best, one of the Navy pilots who bombed and sank the Akagi, flew in this movie. I think that it is the SBU-2 featured at the first part of this clip. The TBD-1's are from Bombing 6, these are the actual Torpedo Bombers that were destroyed in the Battle of Midway a little more than a year later. According to George "Tex" Gay of Torpedo 8, it was the first time he launched with a torpedo. Few things make me emotional, their sacrifice brings tears to my eyes.
Interesting. I haven't seen this movie in many years but remember it well. In May of 1942 it was the dive bombers who sunk 4 Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway. The torpedo planes got their butts shot off. Thx for posting.
Great color, looks like it was filmed yesterday. In 1941 the Sara was undergoing work up in Bremerton, and her air group 3 was temporarily transferred to the Enterprise. Notice the Sara's air group with their white tails, the Big E's air group 6 with their blue tails, and even a red tailed plane from the Yorktown's air group 5. Torpedo 3 was on the Yorktown at Midway, and only 6 of Torpedo 6 and Torpedo 3's planes returned. Looks like the biplane Helldivers belonged to Scouting 6 and 3.
Errol underplayed his role here to great effect. His main purpose was to keep Fred MacMurray from succumbing to his own bravado. As far as getting the girl, if I remember correctly, Fred says to Errol "What is it with You?". Even in 1941, Flynn's reputation preceded him.
(continued) Not one Dauntless or Wildcat in sight. They treated the Devastators in the film as if they were also dive bombers. Squadrons consisted of 3 plane sections: Red 1-3, White 4-6, Blue 7-9, Black 10-12, Green 13-15, and Yellow 16-18. Each section had diagonal stripes of that color on the upper wings and a band of that color around the rear fuselage, The cowling had a full band of that color on the first aircraft, top half only on the second, and bottom half only on the third.
@davidperi Where can one find that Jack Bennie clip? He was a true professional with always clean jokes. He had the right idea staying 39 for all those years.
This is one film to watch when the wife goes out - close the blinds, get out a good scotch and good cigar. The back to the world of yellow wing Devastators, Vindicators and Helldivers; the smell of aeroplane hangars; sun and sea; California in the late 30s; cars with running boards and leather upholstery. No laptops, no time sheets, no freeways, no supermarket. All this and Alexis Smith.
Richard Best, one of the Navy pilots who bombed and sank the Akagi, flew in this movie. I think that it is the SBU-2 featured at the first part of this clip. The TBD-1's are from Bombing 6, these are the actual Torpedo Bombers that were destroyed in the Battle of Midway a little more than a year later. According to George "Tex" Gay of Torpedo 8, it was the first time he launched with a torpedo. Few things make me emotional, their sacrifice brings tears to my eyes.
"We watch the skyways o'er the land and the sea, ready to fly anywhere the duty calls, ready to fight to be free!"
Interesting. I haven't seen this movie in many years but remember it well. In May of 1942 it was the dive bombers who sunk 4 Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway. The torpedo planes got their butts shot off.
Thx for posting.
The theme music was also used in " Fighter Squadron" w/ Edmund O'Brien in 1948
Yeah, you're right... twelve-year-old post.. hope you and the other fans of movies like this are doing well..
Was this movie 🎥 Errol Flynn best aviation movie or Dawn Patrol 😊
Great color, looks like it was filmed yesterday. In 1941 the Sara was undergoing work up in Bremerton, and her air group 3 was temporarily transferred to the Enterprise. Notice the Sara's air group with their white tails, the Big E's air group 6 with their blue tails, and even a red tailed plane from the Yorktown's air group 5. Torpedo 3 was on the Yorktown at Midway, and only 6 of Torpedo 6 and Torpedo 3's planes returned. Looks like the biplane Helldivers belonged to Scouting 6 and 3.
"tell the comander not to hang around the radio tower, it's not becoming" lol MacMurray had a great delivery of lines...
Errol underplayed his role here to great effect. His main purpose was to keep Fred MacMurray from succumbing to his own bravado. As far as getting the girl, if I remember correctly, Fred says to Errol "What is it with You?". Even in 1941, Flynn's reputation preceded him.
(continued) Not one Dauntless or Wildcat in sight. They treated the Devastators in the film as if they were also dive bombers. Squadrons consisted of 3 plane sections: Red 1-3, White 4-6, Blue 7-9, Black 10-12, Green 13-15, and Yellow 16-18. Each section had diagonal stripes of that color on the upper wings and a band of that color around the rear fuselage, The cowling had a full band of that color on the first aircraft, top half only on the second, and bottom half only on the third.
Loved it, and of course our good man Flynn. :) wonderful. Im feeling much better now, took a pill to go along with. :) missu. A!
TCM showed it over Memorial Day and I captured it on DVR.
I watch it frequently.
@davidperi Where can one find that Jack Bennie clip? He was a true professional with always clean jokes. He had the right idea staying 39 for all those years.
You got it! Even though the world was about to fully explode in WW 2, times were much simpler then!
Why not show this in the proper aspect ratio? Respect it.
Flynn, of course, does not play a "sky-diving hell-climbing pilot" in this film. He's a doctor. MacMurray is the pilot.
This is one film to watch when the wife goes out - close the blinds, get out a good scotch and good cigar. The back to the world of yellow wing Devastators, Vindicators and Helldivers; the smell of aeroplane hangars; sun and sea; California in the late 30s; cars with running boards and leather upholstery. No laptops, no time sheets, no freeways, no supermarket. All this and Alexis Smith.
Of course, can't forget Alexis Smith! The one thing above all that would make me want to go back in time and live in 1941!😏
Great!!! Now where is the REST of the movie??
The TBD "Devastator" was a beautiful plane, though it was sort of a failure.
Just heard a old Jack Benny (1941) radio program on his take of this movie...funny.
Fred was a much better Man than Errol. cool movie though.
@errolfan loved this score and film is ok... the high altitude test scene is laughable.. Yes, God bless the men of Torpedo sq 8