Dirigible (1931)

A French explorer enlists the help of the US Navy in an expedition to the South Pole. There is competition between the airship division and fixed wing fliers, resolved in triumph and ... See full summary »

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Frank Wead (story), Jo Swerling (adaptation),

Stars:

Jack Holt, Ralph Graves, Fay Wray

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Holt	...	Jack Bradon
Ralph Graves	...	'Frisky' Pierce
Fay Wray	...	Helen Pierce
Hobart Bosworth	...	Louis Rondelle
Roscoe Karns	...	Sock McGuire
Harold Goodwin	...	Hansen
Clarence Muse	...	Clarence
Emmett Corrigan	...	Rear Adm. John S. Martin (as Emmet Corrigan)

Storyline

A French explorer enlists the help of the US Navy in an expedition to the South Pole. There is competition between the airship division and fixed wing fliers, resolved in triumph and disasters.

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Plot Keywords:

expedition | dirigible | south pole | u.s. navy | pilot | 

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Genres:

Adventure

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Luftschiff

Filming Locations:

Naval Air Base, Lakehurst, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Debut of Kenneth MacDonald.

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Connections

Featured in The Lady with the Torch (1999)

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Soundtracks

"You're in the Army Now"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung a bit a cappella by Ralph Graves with modified lyrics

User Reviews

Part of our history, a must see!

This film shows via a entertaining story how different air travel may have been if the dirigible had not had the terrible Hindenburg disaster, which was about 4 years after this movie was shot, and when trying to land in the same area as the hanger shown in the movie. Only recently it was found that the real problem with the Hindenburg apparently was individual panels not been grounded, and a fabric covering that was extremely flammable - a dangerous mistake.

It is fascinating to see the Navy equipment of 1931, the dirigible shown is real. These machines may have been much more fuel efficient than airplanes, and perhaps better suited for many trips -

And or course, Fay Wray is a great actress as usual, as is the rest of the cast.