Ace of Aces (1933)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

J. Walter Ruben

Writers:

John Monk Saunders (story)
John Monk Saunders (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 October 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

A sculptor who doesn't want to have any part of World War I is shamed by his girlfriend into joining the army. He becomes a fighter pilot, and undergoes a complete personality change.

Plot Keywords:

Sculptor | Transformation | Melodrama | Nurse | Pig

Cast

Richard Dix	...	2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne
Elizabeth Allan	...	Nancy Adams
Ralph Bellamy	...	Capt. / Maj. Blake
Theodore Newton	...	Lt. Foster 'Froggy' Kelley
Nella Walker	...	Mrs. Adams
Anderson Lawler	...	2nd Lt. Tim 'Tombstone' Terry, aka 'Dracula' (as Anderson Lawlor)
Frank Conroy	...	Maj. / Lt. Col. Wentworth
Joe Sawyer	...	Capt. Daly (as Joe Sauers)
Arthur Jarrett	...	2nd Lt. James 'Jenny' Lind
Claude Gillingwater Jr.	...	1st Lt. Tommy Gray
Clarence Stroud	...	2nd Lt. Billy Winstead
Claude Stroud	...	2nd Lt. Carroll Winstead
Frank Clarke	...	German cadet
Helmut Gorin	...	German cadet

Also Known As:

Bird of Prey (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

76 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #1494, 11 September 1935 for re-release)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Even though the film takes place in 1917-1918, all of Elizabeth Allan's clothing and hairstyles are strictly early 1930s, the year the film was produced.

Quotes:

Nancy Adams: You've changed. You're so different. Is this what the war has done to you?
2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: Wasn't this what you wanted?
Nancy Adams: I didn't know. I spoke of the glory of war. I know now. The mud, the filth, the suffering, the agony, the poor, helpless, dying boys.
2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: It isn't muddy up where I am. When death comes, it comes swiftly and cleanly. Ah, it's a grand war. I only hope the next one is half as good. I used to think I could take clay and mold it into the semblance of a living thing. The closer it came to being alive, the greater my glory. The power of life is more than that, Nancy. Life--life for myself as I control my plane. And then death, swift and final in the squeeze of my fingers.
[laughs]
2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: You can't do that with clay, Nancy.
Nancy Adams: Then all that you said about saving yourself for something better--
2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: Did I say that? Forget it. Why, this is a great war, and I'm having a grand time. It's all grand, every minute of it. Thirty-three planes shot down. Decorated by a French general. My picture in the papers. The idol of the allies, the hero, the great war ace. Pursued by women. Boy, I wouldn't have missed this for anything. You did me a great favor that day in the studio.
[laughs]
2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: Me and my ideals for humanity. Ha! Why, I might still be back there slaving, trying to express myself on some remote conception of art.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Edited from Hell's Angels (1930)

Soundtrack:

The Stars and Stripes Forever

a well made film

Considering the era it was made this film was very well made. Of all the fluff that came out of Hollywood I'm sure this was a pleasant change of pace for moviegoers of the day and is still worth watching some 70 + years later.

War and especially combat change a man and usually not for the better for a long time if not for life. This movie went into the dark corners of these human transformations. Great acting, writing, and directing was put into this effort.

Richard Dix was well chosen for the lead of this film as the role called for a tough character in this lead role of fighter pilot ace. Although Mr. Dix is not as well known in film history as Gable or Bogart he was very popular back in the 30's and 40's and a leading man. His untimely death at age 56 shortened a great career. If you get the chance to see this movie, please seize the opportunity to view some real Hollywood history.