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Flight Command (1940)

 -  Drama | War  -  27 December 1940 (USA)
6.2
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Ratings: 6.2/10 from 319 users  
Reviews: 14 user | 2 critic

A rookie flyer, Ens. Alan Drake, joins the famous Hellcats Squadron right out of flight school in Pensacola. He doesn't make a great first impression when he is forced to ditch his airplane... See full summary »

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Writers:

(screen play), (screen play), 2 more credits »
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Title: Flight Command (1940)

Flight Command (1940) on IMDb 6.2/10

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Ensign Alan Drake
...
Lorna Gary
...
Squadron Cmdr. Billy Gary
Paul Kelly ...
Lieut. Cmdr. 'Dusty' Rhodes
Shepperd Strudwick ...
Lieut. Jerry Banning
...
Lieut. 'Mugger' Martin
Nat Pendleton ...
C.P.O. 'Spike' Knowles
Dick Purcell ...
Lieut. 'Stichy' Payne
William Tannen ...
Lieut. Freddy Townsend
William Stelling ...
Lieut. Bush
Stanley Smith ...
Lieut. Frost
Addison Richards ...
Vice Admiral
Donald Douglas ...
1st Duty Officer
...
2nd Duty Officer
Forbes Murray ...
Captain
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Storyline

A rookie flyer, Ens. Alan Drake, joins the famous Hellcats Squadron right out of flight school in Pensacola. He doesn't make a great first impression when he is forced to ditch his airplane and parachute to safety when he arrives at the base but is unable to land due to heavy fog. On his first day on the job, his poor shooting skills results in the Hellcats losing an air combat competition. His fellow pilots accept him anyways but they think he's crossed the line when they erroneously conclude that while their CO Billy Gray is away, Drake has an affair with his wife Lorna. Drake is now an outcast and is prepared to resign from the Navy but his extreme heroism in saving Billy Gray's life turns things around. Written by garykmcd

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama | War

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

27 December 1940 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Asas nas Trevas  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The squadron is based at Naval Air Station North Island, which still exists today in San Diego, CA. See more »

Goofs

Wires are clearly visible on most of the miniature aircraft. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Hollywood: Style Center of the World (1940) See more »

Soundtracks

"Anchors Aweigh"
(1906) (uncredited)
Written by Charles A. Zimmerman, Alfred Hart Miles and R. Lovell
Played as part of the score in the Pensacola sequence
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Self-assured new recruit joins tight-knit group of Hellcat Fighters...there's gonna be trouble!
7 April 2010 | by (las vegas, nv) – See all my reviews

Lots of fun. Wells Root and Commander Harvey Haislip penned this screenplay from an original story Haislip also co-authored about an eager Naval Flight School cadet (Robert Taylor) in Pensacola flying solo out to Southern California to join Hellcat Fighters who have just lost one of their beloved teammates; he makes a colorful entrance (having to ditch his plane and parachute into the ocean because of fog!) and finds an early friend in a somewhat-emotional woman...the Skipper's wife! Camaraderie between the pilots on the ground is enjoyably written and played, with Taylor's charming self-assurance an interesting dynamic within the group (he isn't cocky, he's careful--though anxious to fit in). Subplot with Ruth Hussey's lonesome wife is soapy yet surprisingly skillful, while the aerial maneuvers are nicely photographed. An extra bonus: Red Skelton as a joshing lieutenant...and Walter Pidgeon looking younger than I have ever seen him. **1/2 from ****


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