Lots of fun. Wells Root and Commander Harvey Haislip penned this screenplay from an original story Haislip also co-authored about an eager Naval Flight School cadet (Robert Taylor) in Pensacola flying solo out to Southern California to join Hellcat Fighters who have just lost one of their beloved teammates; he makes a colorful entrance (having to ditch his plane and parachute into the ocean because of fog!) and finds an early friend in a somewhat-emotional woman...the Skipper's wife! Camaraderie between the pilots on the ground is enjoyably written and played, with Taylor's charming self-assurance an interesting dynamic within the group (he isn't cocky, he's careful--though anxious to fit in). Subplot with Ruth Hussey's lonesome wife is soapy yet surprisingly skillful, while the aerial maneuvers are nicely photographed. An extra bonus: Red Skelton as a joshing lieutenant...and Walter Pidgeon looking younger than I have ever seen him. **1/2 from ****
22 Reviews
Comraderie in the air and on the decks
gleywong25 May 2003
"Flight Command" was shown as part of the TCM Memorial Day series, and it deserves to be remembered for its excellent performances by the leads and all the supporting players, as well as the air scenes of single-engine planes flown by the squadron of Navy pilots. There is a lesson in their comraderie which is all the more moving when one considers the 1940 date and the skilful stuntwork of the planes for its time. Walter Pidgeon gives a classic performance, both strong and vulnerable, for which he will become better known in later films, and Ruth Hussey, usually in a secondary role, puts in a sensitive and generous performance as the "skipper's" stalwart wife in a part that could have been given to Myrna Loy. I am not a fan of Robert Taylor, but I felt he gave one of the more honest of his performances, and his good looks did not for once detract. Ruth's brother in the film, Shepperd Strudwick, hardly a known name, was well-cast as the outgoing, daring inventor working on a fog-navigating device. Between Pidgeon's Apollonian personality and Taylor's Dyonisian charm, Strudwick's relaxed and interestingly handsome face reminded me of Joseph Cotton in having a natural sense of gravitas in his manner.
Even though the plot was not a complex one, the different character relationships, whether between the pilots themselves, or of the perceived triangle of Taylor, Hussey and Pidgeon, was sensitively handled, and the several tricky maneuvers demanded of the pilots kept me glued to the screen. Credit should be given to the director, Frank Borzage, for coaxing such balanced performances from the cast. As for the supporting roles, Paul Kelley and Red Skelton (apparently in his first film appearance) both deserve mention, as do the script writers. The situations and dialogue appear routine, but nothing that is said or done is hackneyed or banal.
Of four ****, I would give it a highly recommended three***.
Even though the plot was not a complex one, the different character relationships, whether between the pilots themselves, or of the perceived triangle of Taylor, Hussey and Pidgeon, was sensitively handled, and the several tricky maneuvers demanded of the pilots kept me glued to the screen. Credit should be given to the director, Frank Borzage, for coaxing such balanced performances from the cast. As for the supporting roles, Paul Kelley and Red Skelton (apparently in his first film appearance) both deserve mention, as do the script writers. The situations and dialogue appear routine, but nothing that is said or done is hackneyed or banal.
Of four ****, I would give it a highly recommended three***.
The "Hell Cats"
jotix1008 February 2006
The Hell Cats, a group of Navy pilots are the subject of the film. These men showed a tremendous amount of courage in those early days of aviation before WWII. It's amazing what they could do, given the state of the technology. Basically, the film shows how the cliquishness of the more experienced pilots do to a newly arrived ace whose presence threatened the way they did things up to the time when Alan Drake, aka, Pensacola joins the group.
The director, Frank Barzage, did marvelous things with what must have been a difficult task to photograph some of the scenes from the planes commanded by the Hell Cats. For having been made in 1940, the film must have been a ground breaker in showing some incredible stunts, like the landing in the aircraft carrier in formation is seen from one of the landing planes.
The film showcases Alan Drake, an eager young pilot who joins the squadron. In joining the unit, he almost dies and has to eject from the plane he is commanding. That is when he meets Lorna Gary, who unknown to him is married to the base commander. "Pensacola", as he is known to the other men in the base, proves to be popular until his best friend dies trying to perfect a technique not approved by the Navy. The company sensing he and Lorna are having an affair quickly join ranks against him.
Robert Taylor makes a good contribution as Drake. Ruth Hussey is wonderful with her Lorna Gary. Walter Pigeon plays her adoring husband Bill. Paul Kelly, Shepperd Strudwick and Red Skelton also make good appearances as some of the pilots.
"Flight Command", although dated, proves to be a pleasant time at the movies.
The director, Frank Barzage, did marvelous things with what must have been a difficult task to photograph some of the scenes from the planes commanded by the Hell Cats. For having been made in 1940, the film must have been a ground breaker in showing some incredible stunts, like the landing in the aircraft carrier in formation is seen from one of the landing planes.
The film showcases Alan Drake, an eager young pilot who joins the squadron. In joining the unit, he almost dies and has to eject from the plane he is commanding. That is when he meets Lorna Gary, who unknown to him is married to the base commander. "Pensacola", as he is known to the other men in the base, proves to be popular until his best friend dies trying to perfect a technique not approved by the Navy. The company sensing he and Lorna are having an affair quickly join ranks against him.
Robert Taylor makes a good contribution as Drake. Ruth Hussey is wonderful with her Lorna Gary. Walter Pigeon plays her adoring husband Bill. Paul Kelly, Shepperd Strudwick and Red Skelton also make good appearances as some of the pilots.
"Flight Command", although dated, proves to be a pleasant time at the movies.
Fun Flying Story
mlktrout30 May 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I gave this movie a look during TCM's Memorial Day Weekend marathon. I'm not sorry. There's nothing new in the plot: it's a typical "cocky kid screws up but finally proves himself" story with one interesting twist -- among the kid's (Robert Taylor, in a decent performance) many screw-ups is a friendship with his boss' wife which others perceive the wrong way.
By the way, the "boss" in question is his CO -- did I mention the "cocky kid" has just become a Navy Hellcat? -- and the "others" are his fellow officers.
The flying footage -- and there's a lot of it -- is okay but somewhat pedestrian since it's mostly training and search-and-rescue stuff. The movie was made in 1940 and several references are made to the war in Europe, but America had not yet joined in, so there's no combat flying. Still, there are interesting moments including a training and competition mission where the new pilot compounds an error and ends up tangled in a cloth target sleeve which nearly causes him to crash yet another plane.
Taylor is okay as the new pilot, although I'm not one of his biggest fans. The first couple of scenes between Pigeon (the CO) and Ruth Hussey (the CO's wife) seem a little awkward and the banter seems forced, but they get better. Pigeon excels in playing "nice guy without a clue about women" roles, whether he's the father or the husband. I wasn't familiar with Hussey before but will correct that mistake as she turned in a very nice performance. Likewise the performance of Shepperd Strudwick as her unfortunate brother -- inventor of a navigational device he hopes will enable planes to land in fog. Red Skelton's role as "Mugger" seemed artificial and forced -- unusual, I thought, as he usually seems very relaxed in front of the camera, but I have heard this was his first movie.
It won't win any awards, but it's a fun way to spend a couple of hours, with a likable story & performances.
By the way, the "boss" in question is his CO -- did I mention the "cocky kid" has just become a Navy Hellcat? -- and the "others" are his fellow officers.
The flying footage -- and there's a lot of it -- is okay but somewhat pedestrian since it's mostly training and search-and-rescue stuff. The movie was made in 1940 and several references are made to the war in Europe, but America had not yet joined in, so there's no combat flying. Still, there are interesting moments including a training and competition mission where the new pilot compounds an error and ends up tangled in a cloth target sleeve which nearly causes him to crash yet another plane.
Taylor is okay as the new pilot, although I'm not one of his biggest fans. The first couple of scenes between Pigeon (the CO) and Ruth Hussey (the CO's wife) seem a little awkward and the banter seems forced, but they get better. Pigeon excels in playing "nice guy without a clue about women" roles, whether he's the father or the husband. I wasn't familiar with Hussey before but will correct that mistake as she turned in a very nice performance. Likewise the performance of Shepperd Strudwick as her unfortunate brother -- inventor of a navigational device he hopes will enable planes to land in fog. Red Skelton's role as "Mugger" seemed artificial and forced -- unusual, I thought, as he usually seems very relaxed in front of the camera, but I have heard this was his first movie.
It won't win any awards, but it's a fun way to spend a couple of hours, with a likable story & performances.
great effects for 1940
blanche-210 July 2013
Robert Taylor plays a flier assigned to the famous "Hell Cats" in "Flight Command" from 1940. Taylor plays Alan Drake, who excitedly joins the Hell Cats and then realizes he has a lot to learn from his commander, Billy Gary (Walter Pidgeon) - Alan met Billy's wife Lorna when he landed off-course en route to join the Hell Cats.
Though he feels left out by the guys, he finds acceptance at a party given at Billy's and Lorna's (Ruth Hussey) house and blends in well. He helps Billy's brother-in-law Jerry (Shepperd Strudwick) with a device he's working on that allows one to fly in the fog; unfortunately, Jerry is killed testing the device, leaving his sister Lorna devastated.
While Billy is out of town, Alan does what he can to cheer Lorna up. She starts to fall for him, and in a panic, she leaves Billy. The Hell Cats assume that Alan is having an affair with her and turn on him.
Pretty routine with some wonderful flying sequences and some lovely performances, particularly from Pidgeon and Hussey. Strudwick, a young man here, was a Broadway actor who went on to continue on Broadway and also prime time television and soap operas, best remembered as Victor Lord in One Life to Live. He gives an energetic performance.
Taylor is handsome and debonair and does a good job as Alan. He was a solid actor, not given to introspection, and capable of better work than he was often given. He loved being at MGM, took the pathetic money the studio gave him (he was supposedly the lowest paid contract player in history), and played whatever parts he was handed. The parts got better after the war. We lost so many of these leading men way too young, thanks to the habit of smoking. Taylor was a three-pack-a-day man who died at the age of 57.
Pretty good, nice performances, great effects for 1940.
Though he feels left out by the guys, he finds acceptance at a party given at Billy's and Lorna's (Ruth Hussey) house and blends in well. He helps Billy's brother-in-law Jerry (Shepperd Strudwick) with a device he's working on that allows one to fly in the fog; unfortunately, Jerry is killed testing the device, leaving his sister Lorna devastated.
While Billy is out of town, Alan does what he can to cheer Lorna up. She starts to fall for him, and in a panic, she leaves Billy. The Hell Cats assume that Alan is having an affair with her and turn on him.
Pretty routine with some wonderful flying sequences and some lovely performances, particularly from Pidgeon and Hussey. Strudwick, a young man here, was a Broadway actor who went on to continue on Broadway and also prime time television and soap operas, best remembered as Victor Lord in One Life to Live. He gives an energetic performance.
Taylor is handsome and debonair and does a good job as Alan. He was a solid actor, not given to introspection, and capable of better work than he was often given. He loved being at MGM, took the pathetic money the studio gave him (he was supposedly the lowest paid contract player in history), and played whatever parts he was handed. The parts got better after the war. We lost so many of these leading men way too young, thanks to the habit of smoking. Taylor was a three-pack-a-day man who died at the age of 57.
Pretty good, nice performances, great effects for 1940.
Engaging Cornball.
rmax30482329 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I kind of enjoyed most of it. Robert Taylor, freshly out of Navy flight school at Pensicola, is assigned to the famous Hellcat fighting squadron in San Diego. He's an eager young boot. Like most, he tries too hard at first and receives various reprimands. When one of his mates is killed in a flying accident, Taylor tries innocently to comfort his buddy's sister, Hussey -- who happens to be the wife of the Hellcats' commander, Walter Pidgeon.
The other Hellcats can't help but notice that Taylor is squiring around the commander's wife. He does things like fly her around upside down. It looks more than ordinarily suspicious because Pidgeon is conveniently off somewhere on duty. The other Hellcats get ideas and give Taylor an even rougher time. In a high dudgeon, Taylor initiates his resignation from the Navy.
Well, things look pretty gloomy. Taylor and Hussey are guilty of nothing but Hussey has been made to question the kind of relationship she has with Pidgeon. ("Keep the flag flying," he always tells her.) And Taylor is being what the Old Order Amish call "shunned." This is 1940 and not yet wartime, but the moment has come for Taylor to perform some heroic deed and prove himself -- his flying skills and his moral stature -- in the eyes of his comrades. He does so.
The triad of Pidgeon, Hussey, and Taylor is more textured and nuanced than it usually is in these routine stories. Hussey and Taylor, with a little less effort, could have fallen in love. That would require Pidgeon to die a hero's death. But Hussey and Taylor DON'T fall for each other, and the marital relationship is subject to some subtle questioning that almost resembles real life.
The flying scenes, and there are three or four big ones, are exciting. They cry out for color. The pre-war paint schemes on these airplanes were really exuberant -- bright yellows, reds, and greens. When war came they got rid of the flamboyance and gave them colors with names like "sea gray" and "dull blue." A terrible loss.
And you ought to see these stubby little biplanes. They're Grumman F-3-Fs. They're as unstable as inverted pendulums and they wobble all over the place when they fly in formation off the San Diego coast. The film misrepresents them slightly. They were armed with one .50 caliber and one .30 caliber forward-firing machine guns, whereas the movie gives them two guns of the same size. And when the aviators talk about "cruising at 350 miles an hour" they're dreaming. Two fifty was about it. Ugly suckers, they were quickly replaced by Grumman's single-wing Wildcat, and a good thing too.
The performances are about what you'd expect in a more or less routine story about pilots, love, and the challenge of flight. No one stands out, except maybe Walter Pidgeon who, as always, stands out for not standing out. He always reminds me of some iron statue in the park. That's not necessarily bad. We need statues. Red Skelton is in the cast but has little to do. Paul Kelly, as "Dusty" Rhodes, is on hand to provide intensity.
The other Hellcats can't help but notice that Taylor is squiring around the commander's wife. He does things like fly her around upside down. It looks more than ordinarily suspicious because Pidgeon is conveniently off somewhere on duty. The other Hellcats get ideas and give Taylor an even rougher time. In a high dudgeon, Taylor initiates his resignation from the Navy.
Well, things look pretty gloomy. Taylor and Hussey are guilty of nothing but Hussey has been made to question the kind of relationship she has with Pidgeon. ("Keep the flag flying," he always tells her.) And Taylor is being what the Old Order Amish call "shunned." This is 1940 and not yet wartime, but the moment has come for Taylor to perform some heroic deed and prove himself -- his flying skills and his moral stature -- in the eyes of his comrades. He does so.
The triad of Pidgeon, Hussey, and Taylor is more textured and nuanced than it usually is in these routine stories. Hussey and Taylor, with a little less effort, could have fallen in love. That would require Pidgeon to die a hero's death. But Hussey and Taylor DON'T fall for each other, and the marital relationship is subject to some subtle questioning that almost resembles real life.
The flying scenes, and there are three or four big ones, are exciting. They cry out for color. The pre-war paint schemes on these airplanes were really exuberant -- bright yellows, reds, and greens. When war came they got rid of the flamboyance and gave them colors with names like "sea gray" and "dull blue." A terrible loss.
And you ought to see these stubby little biplanes. They're Grumman F-3-Fs. They're as unstable as inverted pendulums and they wobble all over the place when they fly in formation off the San Diego coast. The film misrepresents them slightly. They were armed with one .50 caliber and one .30 caliber forward-firing machine guns, whereas the movie gives them two guns of the same size. And when the aviators talk about "cruising at 350 miles an hour" they're dreaming. Two fifty was about it. Ugly suckers, they were quickly replaced by Grumman's single-wing Wildcat, and a good thing too.
The performances are about what you'd expect in a more or less routine story about pilots, love, and the challenge of flight. No one stands out, except maybe Walter Pidgeon who, as always, stands out for not standing out. He always reminds me of some iron statue in the park. That's not necessarily bad. We need statues. Red Skelton is in the cast but has little to do. Paul Kelly, as "Dusty" Rhodes, is on hand to provide intensity.
Swelled head becomes swell guy...in the sort of film MGM did so well.
planktonrules11 April 2010
One of the top fighter plane squadrons is the Hellcats. When the film begins, they have just lost one of their pilots in an accident. His replacement is an extremely cocky new Ensign (Robert Taylor) just out of flight school at Pensacola. On his way from the academy in Florida to the Hellcat base in San Diego, he gets in trouble--everything is fogged in and he can't possibly safely land. Ignoring orders, he tries to land and is nearly killed. Soon after this, he also screws up during gunnery practice and nearly kills himself for the second time!! Clearly, Taylor has a long way to go to fit in with the Hellcats!
In addition to this plot early on in the film, Ruth Hussey plays an interesting part. She's the wife of the group's commander (Walter Pidgeon). The stress of seeing her husband and other men she cares about risking their lives is simply too much. Keeping a 'stiff upper lip' is getting tougher and tougher and unless something changes, she's headed for a breakdown.
The sort of character Robert Taylor played in this film is nothing new for him, as he'd played a similar cock-sure guy in "A Yank at Oxford" a couple years earlier. And, by formula, you know that the character's cockiness will eventually change to make him the team player and all-around swell guy by the time the credits roll at the end of the film. But, because it's all handled so well, the film is a lot of fun. Excellent acting, an interesting script (it's more than just airplanes and Taylor's adjustment to the Hellcats) and direction by one of the era's better directors, Frank Borzage, make this a very good film--even if you aren't into airplane films.
By the way, the biplanes used in this film were the Grumman F3F-3. These dated looking planes were retired from service in 1941 and were pretty much outdated by the time the US entered WWII. It's odd, then, that the Hellcats (a crack fighter squadron) would STILL be using this plane by the time this movie was made in 1940. Top Navy squadrons would have been using more modern monoplanes like the Brewster Buffalo or F4F Wildcat. MGM would probably not had access to these other planes, as the Navy would have been a lot more protective of their newer planes. Of course, few people on IMDb are plane nuts like me, so most of this hardly matters to the average viewer!
And, for ship nuts out there, Miss Hussey reads a newspaper article about the navy going on maneuvers with three aircraft carriers--including the USS Virginia. There never was a carrier with this name and the battleship Virginia was deliberately sunk in 1923.
By the way, I did a little checking and found out some things which are interesting. This is one of Red Skelton's first films. Soon after finishing this film, he and his wife split up...and she married the director, Borzage! Wow...now that's pretty sensational and weird! And, if you are in the mood for more dirt, try reading up on the life of one of the principle actors in the film, Paul Kelly--it's pretty sensational.
In addition to this plot early on in the film, Ruth Hussey plays an interesting part. She's the wife of the group's commander (Walter Pidgeon). The stress of seeing her husband and other men she cares about risking their lives is simply too much. Keeping a 'stiff upper lip' is getting tougher and tougher and unless something changes, she's headed for a breakdown.
The sort of character Robert Taylor played in this film is nothing new for him, as he'd played a similar cock-sure guy in "A Yank at Oxford" a couple years earlier. And, by formula, you know that the character's cockiness will eventually change to make him the team player and all-around swell guy by the time the credits roll at the end of the film. But, because it's all handled so well, the film is a lot of fun. Excellent acting, an interesting script (it's more than just airplanes and Taylor's adjustment to the Hellcats) and direction by one of the era's better directors, Frank Borzage, make this a very good film--even if you aren't into airplane films.
By the way, the biplanes used in this film were the Grumman F3F-3. These dated looking planes were retired from service in 1941 and were pretty much outdated by the time the US entered WWII. It's odd, then, that the Hellcats (a crack fighter squadron) would STILL be using this plane by the time this movie was made in 1940. Top Navy squadrons would have been using more modern monoplanes like the Brewster Buffalo or F4F Wildcat. MGM would probably not had access to these other planes, as the Navy would have been a lot more protective of their newer planes. Of course, few people on IMDb are plane nuts like me, so most of this hardly matters to the average viewer!
And, for ship nuts out there, Miss Hussey reads a newspaper article about the navy going on maneuvers with three aircraft carriers--including the USS Virginia. There never was a carrier with this name and the battleship Virginia was deliberately sunk in 1923.
By the way, I did a little checking and found out some things which are interesting. This is one of Red Skelton's first films. Soon after finishing this film, he and his wife split up...and she married the director, Borzage! Wow...now that's pretty sensational and weird! And, if you are in the mood for more dirt, try reading up on the life of one of the principle actors in the film, Paul Kelly--it's pretty sensational.
Likable but routine aerial story about a flight cadet who must prove himself...
Doylenf6 February 2010
ROBERT TAYLOR plays a cocky air cadet who must prove to his commander and teammates that he's really a good guy when their perception of him is unclear due to a few plot circumstances.
WALTER PIDGEON plays the commander with his usual poise and elegance, smoothly mature as the husband of RUTH HUSSEY. Hussey has never had a better share of close-ups but her role is really peripheral to the main story of camaraderie among the men.
Frank Borzage has directed with a good eye for the aerial sequences during the period just before WWII. Carriers with planes landing on them and various formations while on maneuvers are all well photographed and realistically presented.
Taylor gives an admirable performance in the kind of role that would have gone to John Payne if the film had been made at Fox. His subtle awareness of how the men perceive him (after a misunderstanding) shows that he was capable of being more than just a pretty face.
Although well done and enjoyable to watch, the script prevents it from being anything more than a routine aerial film with some nice touches.
WALTER PIDGEON plays the commander with his usual poise and elegance, smoothly mature as the husband of RUTH HUSSEY. Hussey has never had a better share of close-ups but her role is really peripheral to the main story of camaraderie among the men.
Frank Borzage has directed with a good eye for the aerial sequences during the period just before WWII. Carriers with planes landing on them and various formations while on maneuvers are all well photographed and realistically presented.
Taylor gives an admirable performance in the kind of role that would have gone to John Payne if the film had been made at Fox. His subtle awareness of how the men perceive him (after a misunderstanding) shows that he was capable of being more than just a pretty face.
Although well done and enjoyable to watch, the script prevents it from being anything more than a routine aerial film with some nice touches.
Aviation movie stays earthbound
lorenellroy18 October 2003
This is in some respects the Top Gun of its era-a drama about pilots ,and in particular the efforts of a hotshot trainee cadet from the flying academy at Pensacola to be accepted by the pilots of an elite service corps to which he is posted. The pilot -played by Robert Taylor-does not make a propitious start ,being forced to ditch his plane in heavy fog and mistaking his Commanding Officer's wife for a possible date .Matters get worse when a project he becomes involved with ,that aims to make it possible to land safely in fog ,goes fatally wrong ,and he is also falsely suspected of breaking up his C.O ' marriage. The second world war is taking place(There are references to Dunkirk) but the U S is not yet involved and the movie lacks the impetus that some combat sequences would have given to it. Its poorly acted -Taylor is as wooden as ever ,Ruth Hussey is frankly awful and even the normally dependable Walter Pidgeon looks as if he would rather be doing something else Frank Borzage was an excellent director in more romantic and poetic movies but is like a fish out of water in the macho world of aviation and square jawed heroics . The end product is frankly dull.
A pilot and his reputation.
michaelRokeefe25 May 2003
Hackneyed war drama about a hot shot naval pilot(Robert Taylor) being assigned to one of the Navy's most prestigious squadrons. He must prove his worth and fit into the elite group at the same time live down the assumption he has had an affair with his Commanding Officer's(Walter Pidgeon)wife(Ruth Hussey). For the time period the special effects are above par. The script seems lacking. Interesting supporting cast includes:Paul Kelly, Nat Pendleton and Red Skelton.
The Navy Takes to the Skies
bkoganbing7 February 2006
Aviation buffs will love Flight Command. The special effects are outstanding for 1940, very much like Howard Hughes's classic Hell's Angels.
If this were made at 20th Century Fox, Tyrone Power would have been cast as the lead. Power had a patent on hero/heel types over at that studio. Robert Taylor who plays the lead here usually played straight up heroes in his films. Taylor played hero/heels, but not as often as Power did. Taylor debuted in that kind of part at MGM with A Yank at Oxford and wouldn't play one again until his classic Johnny Eager.
Taylor is a wiseacre fresh naval cadet straight out of the flying school at Pensacola, hence the nickname the others give him. Because of deaths an opening occurs at the elite Hellcats fighter squadron and Taylor is brash enough to think they requested him personally.
His attitude doesn't make him too many friends, among them being the squadron leader Walter Pigeon, his wife Ruth Hussey, and her brother Sheppard Strudwick. Strudwick is working on an instrument that will enable planes to land in fog, but gets killed trying to test fly it.
That opens all kinds of complications and misunderstandings among the men of the squadron and Taylor gets to feel mighty unwelcome. But he gets a chance to redeem himself in the end.
A few days earlier I did a review of another aviation picture Ceiling Zero and commented how Warner Brothers played on the cheap with the special effects. MGM did just the opposite, Flight Command got two Oscar nominations for visual special effects and sound, both well deserved.
Carrier based aircraft was still an unproven tactic for war, although aircraft carriers had been developed since the early twenties. But it hadn't yet been shown to be effective in war. It's almost quaint to watch the cast using ancient World War I era biplanes as training vehicles. But that's what the United States Navy had available back then. It was two years until the battle of Midway and less than two years until Pearl Harbor when Flight Command came out. A whole lot of aviation progress was made in that period, it had to be.
Flight Command out of necessity has to be dated, but it is still a good film to watch bearing in mind what these men were training for.
If this were made at 20th Century Fox, Tyrone Power would have been cast as the lead. Power had a patent on hero/heel types over at that studio. Robert Taylor who plays the lead here usually played straight up heroes in his films. Taylor played hero/heels, but not as often as Power did. Taylor debuted in that kind of part at MGM with A Yank at Oxford and wouldn't play one again until his classic Johnny Eager.
Taylor is a wiseacre fresh naval cadet straight out of the flying school at Pensacola, hence the nickname the others give him. Because of deaths an opening occurs at the elite Hellcats fighter squadron and Taylor is brash enough to think they requested him personally.
His attitude doesn't make him too many friends, among them being the squadron leader Walter Pigeon, his wife Ruth Hussey, and her brother Sheppard Strudwick. Strudwick is working on an instrument that will enable planes to land in fog, but gets killed trying to test fly it.
That opens all kinds of complications and misunderstandings among the men of the squadron and Taylor gets to feel mighty unwelcome. But he gets a chance to redeem himself in the end.
A few days earlier I did a review of another aviation picture Ceiling Zero and commented how Warner Brothers played on the cheap with the special effects. MGM did just the opposite, Flight Command got two Oscar nominations for visual special effects and sound, both well deserved.
Carrier based aircraft was still an unproven tactic for war, although aircraft carriers had been developed since the early twenties. But it hadn't yet been shown to be effective in war. It's almost quaint to watch the cast using ancient World War I era biplanes as training vehicles. But that's what the United States Navy had available back then. It was two years until the battle of Midway and less than two years until Pearl Harbor when Flight Command came out. A whole lot of aviation progress was made in that period, it had to be.
Flight Command out of necessity has to be dated, but it is still a good film to watch bearing in mind what these men were training for.
Robert Taylor stars in this pre-WW II melodrama with Oscar nominated Special Effects
jacobs-greenwood2 December 2016
A pre-World War II melodrama starring Robert Taylor as an ensign dubbed "Pensacola", the Navy's flight school location, by the seasoned "Hell Cat" pilots who land on aircraft carriers. Walter Pidgeon plays the squadron's commander who's too busy for his wife (Ruth Hussey) such that one of his lieutenants (Shepperd Strudwick) keeps her company. But this lieutenant dies after his invention to enable pilots to land in the fog fails and his plane crashes.
When Pensacola fills the vacancy left next to the commander's wife, suddenly the other pilots (Paul Kelly, Red Skelton, Dick Purcell, etc.) have a problem with the arrangement. But Pensacola's ability to fix the fog device (with help from Nat Pendleton's character) and his later associated heroics redeem him in the end.
The film, which features primitive yet Academy Award nominated Special Effects, was directed and co-produced by Frank Borzage (with J. Walter Ruben), and written by Harvey S. Haislip and Wells Root.
The lovely Marsha Hunt appears as a Southern Belle who entertains some of the pilots; Lee Tung Foo and John Hamilton are among those who appear uncredited.
When Pensacola fills the vacancy left next to the commander's wife, suddenly the other pilots (Paul Kelly, Red Skelton, Dick Purcell, etc.) have a problem with the arrangement. But Pensacola's ability to fix the fog device (with help from Nat Pendleton's character) and his later associated heroics redeem him in the end.
The film, which features primitive yet Academy Award nominated Special Effects, was directed and co-produced by Frank Borzage (with J. Walter Ruben), and written by Harvey S. Haislip and Wells Root.
The lovely Marsha Hunt appears as a Southern Belle who entertains some of the pilots; Lee Tung Foo and John Hamilton are among those who appear uncredited.
Nice sfx, but dismal dialogue!
hemisphere65-12 July 2021
The script is so full of stilted military jargon and rah rah 'Murcia tripe that it's distracting. Yes, I'm aware of what was going on in the world in 1940 and Hollywood had to sell tickets, but this one is ridiculous. Walter Pidgeon is just awful in his role; he appears to be consciously "acting" in almost every scene. The speech he has to deliver (script) to "Pensacola" (Taylor) when he hands in his resignation is laughable, just like his "keep the flag flying" garbage that he pukes to his wife.
Taylor and Hussey never became bigger stars due to their own limitations. Neither are very convincing as actual people.
Good patriotic score from Waxman.
Taylor and Hussey never became bigger stars due to their own limitations. Neither are very convincing as actual people.
Good patriotic score from Waxman.
flight command
mossgrymk24 June 2021
Great aerial action courtesy of stunt director Paul Mantz and Wally and Ruth are always welcome presences if only to get the ratty, tatty taste of Bob Taylor out of one's mouth. Otherwise this is one of auteurists' darling Frank Borzage's many lesser efforts. C plus. PS...Best non flying scene of this 1940 film for me was the one set at the commandant's house when the fliers are invited over for card games and cups of tea. Talk about your prewar innocence!
Take to the air with the Hellcats!
gregormandella6 December 2011
Flight Command is a wonderful look into a Navy Fighting Squadron a year before the U.S. entered World War 2. Starring Robert Taylor as Ensign Alan Drake, a fresh graduate of the Navy's Flight School in Pensacola, he's an eager young pilot assigned to a veteran Squadron, Fighting 8, better known as the "Hellcats". Walter Pidgeon is his CO, Lt. Commander Bill Gary and Ruth Hussey plays Pidgeon's wife, Lorna Gary. All three put in a fine performance. The supporting cast does a fine job as well, making it believable that they were a very tight knit group of fliers.
The movie had full support of the U.S. Navy and it shows. The attention to detail is excellent, giving the viewer a great inside look into what the pilots did in and out of the cockpit. The aircraft featured is the Grumman F3F-2, the last biplane fighter ever flown by the Navy on their aircraft carriers. It's great to see these pudgy fighters going through their paces. At the time this movie was filmed, Fighting Squadron 8 actually didn't exist. It wouldn't be formed for another year in the fall of 1941.
The story line is quite touching at times, especially between the three main characters. Ruth Hussey plays the outwardly tough but inwardly unsettled wife of the squadron commander very well. There isn't a bad portrayal by any of the actors in the film. Hats off to the production team for keeping this film on the level. There's a realism to Flight Command that is very well done. I can imagine that this movie had an effect on recruitment of Navy pilots just like Top Gun did back in the mid 80's.
I really couldn't recommend this movie enough, I feel it's that entertaining in so many ways. The story line, the acting and the look back at Naval Aviation at the end of its Golden Era make Flight Command a great choice.
The movie had full support of the U.S. Navy and it shows. The attention to detail is excellent, giving the viewer a great inside look into what the pilots did in and out of the cockpit. The aircraft featured is the Grumman F3F-2, the last biplane fighter ever flown by the Navy on their aircraft carriers. It's great to see these pudgy fighters going through their paces. At the time this movie was filmed, Fighting Squadron 8 actually didn't exist. It wouldn't be formed for another year in the fall of 1941.
The story line is quite touching at times, especially between the three main characters. Ruth Hussey plays the outwardly tough but inwardly unsettled wife of the squadron commander very well. There isn't a bad portrayal by any of the actors in the film. Hats off to the production team for keeping this film on the level. There's a realism to Flight Command that is very well done. I can imagine that this movie had an effect on recruitment of Navy pilots just like Top Gun did back in the mid 80's.
I really couldn't recommend this movie enough, I feel it's that entertaining in so many ways. The story line, the acting and the look back at Naval Aviation at the end of its Golden Era make Flight Command a great choice.
The Fog of War
wes-connors25 May 2008
For service in World War II, brash Robert Taylor (as Alan "Pensacola" Drake) is assigned a "Flight Command" role, with the squadron of Navy fliers known as the "Hell Cats". At first, Mr. Taylor's confident cockiness rubs everyone the wrong way; but, he earns his comrades' respect, through charm and ability. Taylor also catches the eye of otherwise happily married Ruth Hussey (as Lorna Gary), wife of "Hell Cat" commander Walter Pidgeon (as William "Billy" Gray). Will their "love triangle" be consummated?
Ordinary flag-waving film, ostensibly about Taylor fitting in with his squadron; however, the war sacrifices Ms. Hussey makes become the film's main focus. The supporting players outperform the leads; in particular, Shepperd Strudwick (as Jerry Banning) and Paul Kelly (as Dusty Rhodes). Mr. Strudwick's "fog device" provides an interesting sub-plot. The inter-cut "fog device" visual is an example of one of the film's irritants. Frank Borzage (direction) and Harold Rosson (photography) make some scenes look nice.
**** Flight Command (12/17/40) Frank Borzage ~ Robert Taylor, Ruth Hussey, Walter Pidgeon, Paul Kelly
Ordinary flag-waving film, ostensibly about Taylor fitting in with his squadron; however, the war sacrifices Ms. Hussey makes become the film's main focus. The supporting players outperform the leads; in particular, Shepperd Strudwick (as Jerry Banning) and Paul Kelly (as Dusty Rhodes). Mr. Strudwick's "fog device" provides an interesting sub-plot. The inter-cut "fog device" visual is an example of one of the film's irritants. Frank Borzage (direction) and Harold Rosson (photography) make some scenes look nice.
**** Flight Command (12/17/40) Frank Borzage ~ Robert Taylor, Ruth Hussey, Walter Pidgeon, Paul Kelly
Taking to the skies
TheLittleSongbird19 May 2020
'Flight Command' may not be the type of film that would be typically seen on a regular basis by me, but the story did sound really interesting and there are films that have similar subjects that are very good. Frank Borzage was also a very gifted director, though 'Flight Command' is more serious than what was usually characteristic of him. The cast are similarly talented, have always liked Walter Pidgeon especially and one of the interest points was seeing Red Skelton in his second film.
Seeing 'Flight Command', it struck me as a very good and overlooked film with many truly great things. Not a masterpiece by all means or perfect, though actually flaws are few. It is a good example of somebody doing something different doing it well (with Borzage actually seeming at ease with a serious story), which is great considering that there have been a lot of misfires when people step out of their comfort zone (i.e. Sidney Lumet with 'The Wiz', as an at the top of my head example).
There really isn't that much wrong at all here in 'Flight Command'. It is routine at times, the ideas here are not novel even for back then and are executed more than dependably if lacking in freshness.
Did think too that Skelton had too little to do, meaning that he doesn't really register in a role that doesn't play to his strengths, and felt out of place.
Borzage's direction though is professional and as said he doesn't seem uncomfortable with the material and engages with it. The acting is very good, with Robert Taylor's sincerity being quite touching here and Pidgeon plays the type of role that he always did beautifully and better than most at the time with a lot of authority and dignity. The biggest revelation for me though was Ruth Hussey in one of her best performances, one of her meatiest character played with intense poignancy.
While the script is not extraordinary, it is still very solid and honestly written with characters that may be cliched but are worth investing in. What are extraordinary are the truly impressive special effects and the exciting flying sequences, staged with much tension and emotion. 'Flight Command' is well made visually, especially good in the flying sequences, and beautifully photographed. The story does have a good deal going on and did risk being over-crowded and bloated, but the way the subject is handled has much sincerity and packs an emotional wallop. While not being dreary or taking itself overly seriously.
Overall, didn't completely bowl me over and was actually still very impressed. 8/10
Seeing 'Flight Command', it struck me as a very good and overlooked film with many truly great things. Not a masterpiece by all means or perfect, though actually flaws are few. It is a good example of somebody doing something different doing it well (with Borzage actually seeming at ease with a serious story), which is great considering that there have been a lot of misfires when people step out of their comfort zone (i.e. Sidney Lumet with 'The Wiz', as an at the top of my head example).
There really isn't that much wrong at all here in 'Flight Command'. It is routine at times, the ideas here are not novel even for back then and are executed more than dependably if lacking in freshness.
Did think too that Skelton had too little to do, meaning that he doesn't really register in a role that doesn't play to his strengths, and felt out of place.
Borzage's direction though is professional and as said he doesn't seem uncomfortable with the material and engages with it. The acting is very good, with Robert Taylor's sincerity being quite touching here and Pidgeon plays the type of role that he always did beautifully and better than most at the time with a lot of authority and dignity. The biggest revelation for me though was Ruth Hussey in one of her best performances, one of her meatiest character played with intense poignancy.
While the script is not extraordinary, it is still very solid and honestly written with characters that may be cliched but are worth investing in. What are extraordinary are the truly impressive special effects and the exciting flying sequences, staged with much tension and emotion. 'Flight Command' is well made visually, especially good in the flying sequences, and beautifully photographed. The story does have a good deal going on and did risk being over-crowded and bloated, but the way the subject is handled has much sincerity and packs an emotional wallop. While not being dreary or taking itself overly seriously.
Overall, didn't completely bowl me over and was actually still very impressed. 8/10
wartime military movie
SnoopyStyle12 December 2020
Ensign Alan Drake (Robert Taylor) joins the Hellcats Squadron in the early days of the war. Bill Gary (Walter Pidgeon) is his squadron commander and Lorna (Ruth Hussey) is his beautiful wife.
This is one of the first Hollywood military movies after Pearl Harbor. It also follows the long tradition of adding an unnecessary melodramatic romance into a war movie. There are some interesting flying sequences but they are flying biplanes. There is an aircraft carrier. I rather they go to war sooner and skip the melodrama. It's just wasting time with the boring love entanglement.
This is one of the first Hollywood military movies after Pearl Harbor. It also follows the long tradition of adding an unnecessary melodramatic romance into a war movie. There are some interesting flying sequences but they are flying biplanes. There is an aircraft carrier. I rather they go to war sooner and skip the melodrama. It's just wasting time with the boring love entanglement.
Not an affair
burrpink14 December 2016
Pretty good movie. I'm watching a bunch of war movies on TCM, as of December 7th. They did not have an affair....they were just friends. He was keeping her busy and happy after her friend die in an air accident. He knew she was married and didn't do anything to jeopardize her marriage. This was all in her mind even before she meets Pensacola. She doesn't say anything about him when she tells her husband she's leaving. She was very upset and depressed after Banning died and her husband wasn't around to comfort and console her. Drake was just spending time with her when she was trying to isolate herself. Men and women don't have to be having an affair to spend time together. He would have stayed away if her husband wasn't away; he was being a friend!
plot summary
dexter-1022 January 1999
Sleep Command
ArtVandelayImporterExporter6 January 2023
Ordinarily I'd call Fakey Fakerstein on something as ridiculous as the thick fog that engulfs the North Island Naval Air Station as hotshot Robert Taylor attempts to land the navy's latest toy.
But I've been in San Diego's Gaslamp District, barely a block away from the convention center, which itself is right across the water from Coronado. And let me tell you, when that fog rolls in, it really rolls in. One night, the fog was so thick I couldn't even see the condo units directly across the courtyad barely 25 yards away. The convention centre and every highrise normally within view were completely shrouded. I don't know how anyone could possible land a plane in that mess.
Oh, the movie. Hotshot Taylor gets a cool reception from the stiffs in the Hellcats, who all seem to have sticks up their ssses and fly around in airplanes that look straight out of World War I. The Japanese probably saw a cut of this movie and figured, h3ck, we can take these guys out in a week if those are the buckets they're flying.
The commander is super-stiff Walter Pidgeon. Red Skelton plays the very unfunny comic relief. And the McGuffin is some sort of anti-fog device. Who cares.
Perhaps the movie's worst sin is it fails to take advantage of exteriors on the North Island. Probably shot the whole thing on the Hollywood backlot. Well, other than the flying scenes, which frankly were nothing spectacular.
Man, Hollywood made a lot of terrible movies in their desperate attempt to convince Iowa farmboys to sign up to get themselves killed in Europe or the Pacific.
But that's not even the mopvie's.
But I've been in San Diego's Gaslamp District, barely a block away from the convention center, which itself is right across the water from Coronado. And let me tell you, when that fog rolls in, it really rolls in. One night, the fog was so thick I couldn't even see the condo units directly across the courtyad barely 25 yards away. The convention centre and every highrise normally within view were completely shrouded. I don't know how anyone could possible land a plane in that mess.
Oh, the movie. Hotshot Taylor gets a cool reception from the stiffs in the Hellcats, who all seem to have sticks up their ssses and fly around in airplanes that look straight out of World War I. The Japanese probably saw a cut of this movie and figured, h3ck, we can take these guys out in a week if those are the buckets they're flying.
The commander is super-stiff Walter Pidgeon. Red Skelton plays the very unfunny comic relief. And the McGuffin is some sort of anti-fog device. Who cares.
Perhaps the movie's worst sin is it fails to take advantage of exteriors on the North Island. Probably shot the whole thing on the Hollywood backlot. Well, other than the flying scenes, which frankly were nothing spectacular.
Man, Hollywood made a lot of terrible movies in their desperate attempt to convince Iowa farmboys to sign up to get themselves killed in Europe or the Pacific.
But that's not even the mopvie's.
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