Riding on Air (1937)

Smugglers are using a device for controlling airplanes in flight, and newspaper reporters from Chicago are vying for the story. Reporter Elmer Lane is out to scoop rival reporter Betty Harrison, and capture her heart in the process.

Director:

Edward Sedgwick

Writers:

Richard Macaulay (character: Elmer Lane), Richard Macaulay (screenplay),

Stars:

Joe E. Brown, Guy Kibbee, Florence Rice

Cast

Cast overview:
Joe E. Brown	...	Elmer Lane
Guy Kibbee	...	J. Rutherford 'Doc' Waddington
Florence Rice	...	Betty Harrison
Vinton Hayworth	...	Harvey Schumann (as Vinton Haworth)
Anthony Nace	...	Bill Hilton
Harlan Briggs	...	Mr. Harrison
Andrew Tombes	...	Eddie Byrd
Clem Bevans	...	Sheriff
Harry C. Bradley	...	Mayor

Storyline

When he wins $5000 in an essay contest for a breakfast cereal, small town reporter and amateur aviator Elmer Lane becomes a target for con man Doc Waddington. After the naive newsman involves gullible local businessmen in the scheme and they discover they've been flim-flammed, his credibility with his friends and fiancée 'is shattered. In order to restore his reputation, the novice pilot needs to solve a murder and expose a bootlegging smuggling ring.

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | smuggler | aviator | pilot | newspaper | 

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Taglines:

Hold everything for the thrill that comes once in a lifetime, with Elmer Lane, demon reporter of Richard Macaulay's Saturday Evening Post stories.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

All Is Confusion

Company Credits

Production Co:

David L. Loew Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor High Fidelity Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Detective Flynn: [after seeing Doc trying to flim-flam a sucker] I don't suppose you remember me, but my name's Flynn... Detective Flynn.
J. Rutherford 'Doc' Waddington: [Nervously] Oh, yes, of course.
Detective Flynn: I'm afraid you're out of business in Chicago, Doc.
J. Rutherford 'Doc' Waddington: Well, you can't hang a man for trying.
Detective Flynn: No, but we can give him ten years.

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Soundtracks

"I'm Tired of Trying to Make You Care"
Written by Henry Cohen and Edward Sedgwick (uncredited)

User Reviews

A Fair Flight for Joe E. Brown

Claremont, Wisconsin newspaperman and aviator Joe E. Brown (as Elmer Lane) wins the $5,000 first prize in a radio contest and is subsequently taken advantage of by sneaky Guy Kibbee (as J. Rutherford "Doc" Waddington). Then, the "Radio Beam Airplane Co." they form with the funds attracts a criminal element. Pretty girlfriend Florence Rice (as Betty Harrison) worries Mr. Brown may be in over his head. Taking his bath in this one, the popular comedian would have benefited from a wiser budget and some fresher material.

**** Riding on Air (6/18/37) Edward Sedgwick ~ Joe E. Brown, Guy Kibbee, Florence Rice, Vinton Hayworth