Night Flight (1933)

Director:

Clarence Brown

Writers:

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (novel), Oliver H.P. Garrett (screenplay)

Stars:

John Barrymore, Helen Hayes, Clark Gable

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Barrymore	...	Riviere
Helen Hayes	...	Simone Fabian
Clark Gable	...	Jules Fabian
Lionel Barrymore	...	Insp. Robineau
Robert Montgomery	...	Auguste Pellerin
Myrna Loy	...	Wife of Brazilian Pilot
William Gargan	...	Brazilian Pilot
C. Henry Gordon	...	Daudet
Leslie Fenton	...	Jules' Radio Operator / Co-Pilot
Harry Beresford	...	Pierre Roblet
Frank Conroy	...	Radio Operator
Dorothy Burgess	...	Pellerin'sGirlfriend
Irving Pichel	...	Dr. Decosta
Helen Jerome Eddy	...	Worried Mother
Buster Phelps	...	Sick Child

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

aerial | rhyme in title | aviation | two word title | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nachtflug

Filming Locations:

Denver, Colorado, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There was to have been a scene in which Clark Gable jumped out of a plane at an altitude of 25,000 feet. The stuntman Jim Unger, who was to double for Clark, passed out at 20,000 feet from lack of oxygen and the shot never got made.

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Crazy Credits

During opening credits, the film title is done as "sky writing" by an airplane, and the plane is just finishing the last "T" on "flight".

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: Super 8 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"How Dry I Am"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by Robert Montgomery and Dorothy Burgess

User Reviews

Breathtakingly Beautiful!

If you don't like this film you just don't like or understand early 1930s films! This is big budget, state-of-the-art, film making in EVERY department. The aviation footage is stunning. Unfortunately some miniatures were required and are more obvious today than then. But even these are about the best for their time.

What may seem conventional today, these elements were new in 1933. The use of silence - a ticking clock at a dramatic moment. A wonderful score, exceptional photography in the air and on the ground. The texture of rich background characters and extras. Exceptional editing! Death in the air is made so beautiful, romantic and horrifying all at the same time!

It's easy to laugh, but these were the days pilots were ALLOWED to bring alcohol along in the cockpit! This was little understood risky and dangerous work. And not only shown from one perspective. Each character has his own.

Reviews at the time noted all I've said and the public appreciated this and ate it up!

So if you can rise above your modern day aesthetics, I think you'll discover and amazing 1930s film! You know, they ain't making them anymore!