Flight Angels
Encyclopedia
Flight Angels is a 1940 aviation film directed by Lewis Seiler from an original story by Jerry Wald
and Richard Macaulay. It starred Virginia Bruce
, Dennis Morgan
, Wayne Morris and Ralph Bellamy
as members of a fictional airline, flying Douglas DST
airliners. The basic premise of the film to accurately describe the training and operational conditions of an airline, is faithfully depicted as stewardess and pilots go through the daily routine of flying in the 1940s.
After Farber and Norvell get married, he finds that teaching is too restrictive and yearns to get back to his secret project. When he learns that the US Army Air Forces is going to test his aircraft, he attempts to get permission to make the first flight, but is refused due to his failing eyesight. Coming back after hours, Farber takes off and puts his secret aircraft through a high altitude test although Graves warns him by radio that the aircraft is too dangerous to fly without further development. At height, windows blow in and Farber barely recovers from going unconscious and pulling out of a high-speed dive, to make a crash landing back at his base. Angrily giving up his pilot's license, he decides to leave his wife and attempt to join the newly formed Chinese mercenary air force flying against Japan. US Army officers intercept him in San Francisco and enlist him back into the military in order to keep the secret of his "stratosphere ship" in US hands. Graves arranges for his wife to meet the newly enlisted Lt. Farber, now a flight instructor, with the reunited couple finally at peace, knowing that everything will turn out all right.
The use of American Airlines Douglas Sleeper Transport, the initial variant of the ubiquitous Douglas DC-3 airliner, that had accommodations for 24 passengers during day and fitted out with 16 sleeper berths in the cabin for night, gave an air of authenticity to the film.
Principal photography consisting of aerial shots and exteriors took place at Burbank Airport, California. Although a mix of studio mock-ups, real aircraft and model work was used effectively, the stock footage of DC-3s at the beginning of the film led to "Flagship Illinois" becoming "Flagship Tennessee" as the airliner begins to taxi from the gate and then becomes the "Flagship Illinois" again as passengers are leaving after a bumpy landing, necessitated by the birth on board of a baby.
The cast was made up of a large group of both rising and falling stars that were not typical of a lesser film. While filming Flight Angels in 1940, Wayne Morris became interested in flying and became a Naval Aviator
. When war was imminent, Morris joined the Naval Reserve and became a Navy
flier in 1942, leaving his film career behind for the duration of the war. Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat off the aircraft carrier
USS Essex
, Morris shot down seven Japanese
aircraft and contributed to the sinking of five ships.
Jerry Wald
Jerry Wald was an American producer and screenwriter for motion pictures and radio shows.Born Jerome Irving Wald in Brooklyn, New York, he had a brother and sons who were active in show business. Jerry began writing a radio column for the New York Evening Graphic while a student at New York...
and Richard Macaulay. It starred Virginia Bruce
Virginia Bruce
Virginia Bruce was an American actress and singer.-Career:Born Helen Virginia Briggs in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she went with her family to Los Angeles intending to enroll in the University of California when a friendly wager sent her seeking film work. She got it as an extra in Why Bring That...
, Dennis Morgan
Dennis Morgan
Dennis Morgan was an American actor-singer. Born as Earl Stanley Morner, he used the acting pseudonym Richard Stanley before adopting his professional name....
, Wayne Morris and Ralph Bellamy
Ralph Bellamy
Ralph Bellamy was an American actor whose career spanned sixty-two years.-Early life:He was born Ralph Rexford Bellamy in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Lilla Louise , a native of Canada, and Charles Rexford Bellamy. He ran away from home when he was fifteen and managed to get into a road show...
as members of a fictional airline, flying Douglas DST
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
airliners. The basic premise of the film to accurately describe the training and operational conditions of an airline, is faithfully depicted as stewardess and pilots go through the daily routine of flying in the 1940s.
Plot
Although one of Federal Airlines "ace" pilots, Chick Faber (Dennis Morgan) is grounded by Flight Superintendent Bill Graves (Ralph Bellamy) when a doctor finds his eyesight is failing. Aided by stewardess Mary Norvell (Virginia Bruce) and he friend, Nan Hudson (Jane Wyman), Graves persuades Chick to take a job as teacher in the school for stewardesses. While he remains at the airline, along with engineer, Artie Dixon (Wayne Morris), he continues work on the design of a secret research aircraft, he calls the "stratosphere ship" that will revolutionize commercial aviation by flying faster and higher than any current type.After Farber and Norvell get married, he finds that teaching is too restrictive and yearns to get back to his secret project. When he learns that the US Army Air Forces is going to test his aircraft, he attempts to get permission to make the first flight, but is refused due to his failing eyesight. Coming back after hours, Farber takes off and puts his secret aircraft through a high altitude test although Graves warns him by radio that the aircraft is too dangerous to fly without further development. At height, windows blow in and Farber barely recovers from going unconscious and pulling out of a high-speed dive, to make a crash landing back at his base. Angrily giving up his pilot's license, he decides to leave his wife and attempt to join the newly formed Chinese mercenary air force flying against Japan. US Army officers intercept him in San Francisco and enlist him back into the military in order to keep the secret of his "stratosphere ship" in US hands. Graves arranges for his wife to meet the newly enlisted Lt. Farber, now a flight instructor, with the reunited couple finally at peace, knowing that everything will turn out all right.
Cast
As appearing in screen credits (main roles identified):- Virginia BruceVirginia BruceVirginia Bruce was an American actress and singer.-Career:Born Helen Virginia Briggs in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she went with her family to Los Angeles intending to enroll in the University of California when a friendly wager sent her seeking film work. She got it as an extra in Why Bring That...
as Mary Norvell - Dennis MorganDennis MorganDennis Morgan was an American actor-singer. Born as Earl Stanley Morner, he used the acting pseudonym Richard Stanley before adopting his professional name....
as Chick Farber - Wayne Morris as Artie Dixon
- Ralph BellamyRalph BellamyRalph Bellamy was an American actor whose career spanned sixty-two years.-Early life:He was born Ralph Rexford Bellamy in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Lilla Louise , a native of Canada, and Charles Rexford Bellamy. He ran away from home when he was fifteen and managed to get into a road show...
as Bill Graves - Jane WymanJane WymanJane Wyman was an American singer, dancer, and character actress of film and television. She began her film career in the 1930s, and was a prolific performer for two decades...
as Nan Hudson - John LitelJohn LitelJohn Litel was an American film actor. During World War I, Litel enlisted in the French Army and was twice decorated for bravery....
as Dr. Barclay - Margot StevensonMargot StevensonMargot Stevenson was an American stage and radio actress, known for her role as Margo Lane in the radio adaptation of "The Shadow", opposite Orson Welles in 1938.Stevenson was born in Manhattan on February 8, 1912...
as Rita - Dorothea KentDorothea KentDorothea Kent was an American film actress. She appeared in 42 films between 1935 and 1948.In addition to her credited roles, she also had roles in 6 other films, including her last role in the 1948 film The Babe Ruth Story.She was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and died in 1990 from breast cancer...
as Mabel - John RidgelyJohn RidgelyJohn Ridgely was an American film character actor with over 100 film credits. He appeared in the 1946 Humphrey Bogart film The Big Sleep as blackmailing gangster Eddie Mars and had a memorable role as a suffering heart patient in the film noir Nora Prentiss .The Chicago, Illinois-born actor...
as Lt. Parsons - Lucile Fairbanks as Thelma
- Maris WrixonMaris WrixonMaris Wrixon was an American film and television actress. She appeared in over 50 films between 1939 and 1951....
as Bonnie - Jan ClaytonJan ClaytonJan Clayton was a film, musical theatre, and television actress.-Career:...
as Jane Morrow - Lynn MerrickLynn MerrickLynn Merrick, born Marilyn Llewelling was an actress and a B-Western heroine of the 1940s.-Biography:She was born as Marilyn Llewelling in 1919 ibn Fort Worth, Texas....
as Marilyn (as Marilyn Merrick) - Phyllis Hamilton as Phyllis
- Carol Hughes as "Texas"
Production
Principal photography consisting of aerial shots and exteriors took place at Burbank Airport, California. Although a mix of studio mock-ups, real aircraft and model work was used effectively, the stock footage of DC-3s at the beginning of the film led to "Flagship Illinois" becoming "Flagship Tennessee" as the airliner begins to taxi from the gate and then becomes the "Flagship Illinois" again as passengers are leaving after a bumpy landing, necessitated by the birth on board of a baby.
The cast was made up of a large group of both rising and falling stars that were not typical of a lesser film. While filming Flight Angels in 1940, Wayne Morris became interested in flying and became a Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
. When war was imminent, Morris joined the Naval Reserve and became a Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
flier in 1942, leaving his film career behind for the duration of the war. Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat off the aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
USS Essex
USS Essex (CV-9)
USS Essex was an aircraft carrier, the lead ship of the 24-ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. Commissioned in December 1942, Essex participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning the...
, Morris shot down seven Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
aircraft and contributed to the sinking of five ships.
Aircraft
The film featured:- Boeing 247Boeing 247The Boeing Model 247 was an early United States airliner, considered the first such aircraft to fully incorporate advances such as all-metal semi-monocoque construction, a fully cantilevered wing and retractable landing gear...
airliner (shown briefly in the title credits) - Douglas DC-3/DST airliners (in American Airlines livery)
- Lockheed Model 12A Electra JuniorLockheed Model 12 Electra JuniorThe Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior, more commonly known as the Lockheed 12 or L-12, is an eight-seat, six-passenger all-metal twin-engine transport aircraft of the late 1930s designed for use by small airlines, companies, and wealthy private individuals...
subbing for the "stratosphere ship." Lockheed 12A, registration number NC17342, was owned by Lang Transportation, Las Vegas, Nevada, and was also used in the 1937 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film RosalieRosalie (film)Rosalie is an MGM film adaptation of the 1928 stage musical of the same name. The film was released in December 1937. The film follows the story of the musical but replaces most of the Broadway score with new songs by Cole Porter...
, Happy Landing (1938) and Secret Service of the Air (1938).