Wings in the Dark (1935)

In his dedicated pursuit of technology that will aid pilots to safely "fly blind" during adverse conditions. aerial innovator Ken Gordon is literally blinded in an accident, but this setback doesn't deter him from his goal.

Director:

James Flood

Writers:

Jack Kirkland (screenplay), Frank Partos (screenplay),

Stars:

Myrna Loy, Cary Grant, Roscoe Karns

Cast

Cast overview:
Myrna Loy	...	Sheila Mason
Cary Grant	...	Ken Gordon
Roscoe Karns	...	Nick Williams
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Mac
Dean Jagger	...	Top Harmon
Russell Hopton	...	Jake Brashear
Matt McHugh	...	1st Mechanic
Graham McNamee	...	Radio Announcer

Storyline

Aeronautical engineer Ken Gordon and his faithful mechanic Mac are devoted to developing technology that will enable pilots to safely fly blind during adverse weather conditions. An irresponsible newsman, Nick Williams, publishes a premature story about a planned long distance flight Gordon hopes will prove his theories. Because of Williams, he loses funding but is introduced to skilled aviatrix Shiela Mason. After Gordon is literally blinded in a workshop accident, Shiela undertakes dangerous stunt flying jobs in order to secretly support Gordon's continuing research. When she undertakes a dangerous Moscow to New York non-stop flight and is in jeopardy of crashing over a fog-bound Roosevelt Field, there is only one person capable of saving her.

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Plot Keywords:

pilot | stunt flying | seeing eye dog | skywriting | suicide attempt | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 February 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Asas nas Trevas

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The role of Myrna Loy in the movie is inspired by the real life aviator, Amelia Earhart.

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Quotes

Sheila Mason: What are you thinking about?
Ken Gordon: I was just thinking how crazy I was not to take a good look at you when I had the chance.
Sheila Mason: Don't you remember at all?
Ken Gordon: Pretty well, but I'm not sure. Tell me.
Sheila Mason: Oh, I'm a sort of low wing, single-motored monoplane type. You've seen hundreds of them.
Ken Gordon: I don't believe it. Tell me more.
Sheila Mason: Let's see. I have reddish hair, snub nose, freckles, plenty of freckles.
Ken Gordon: What else?
Sheila Mason: Well, a little under medium length, fair wing spread, stream-lined, so they tell me.
Ken Gordon: Sounds fascinating.

User Reviews

A Plot That Got Off The Ground

It's always a treat to find an early Cary Grant movie. In this case it was a double treat since Myrna Loy played his love interest. Wings in the Dark (1935) showcases the talents of its two stars, despite the rather unbelievable plot of a recently blinded pilot (Cary Grant) who flies a plane configured with special navigating equipment he has created. While the movie ends on a typical melodramatic, if not predicable note, the movie is still one to catch. Cary Grant pulls together an admirable performance of an independent man who is suddenly blinded and goes through a myriad of emotions that come with the convalescence. This movie shows that Grant had depth as a serious actor. Catch him with two other movies with Myrna Loy, The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer, and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.