Aerial Gunner (1943)

Old rivals are pitted against each other in basic training and fight for the same woman.

Director:

William H. Pine

Writers:

Maxwell Shane (screenplay), Jack F. Dailey (idea)

Stars:

Chester Morris, Richard Arlen, Jimmy Lydon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Chester Morris	...	Sgt. 'Foxy' Pattis
Richard Arlen	...	Sgt / Lt. Jonathan 'Jon' Davis
Jimmy Lydon	...	Pvt. Sanford 'Sandy' Lunt
Amelita Ward	...	Peggy Lunt (as Lita Ward)
Dick Purcell	...	Pvt. Lancelot 'Gadget' Blaine
Keith Richards	...	Sgt. Henry 'Jonesy' Jones
William 'Billy' Benedict	...	Pvt. Jackson 'Sleepy' Laswell (as William Benedict)
Olive Blakeney	...	Mrs. Sanford Lunt

Storyline

Old rivals are pitted against each other in basic training and fight for the same woman.

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Plot Keywords:

training | romantic rivalry | aerial gunner | draft | loss of brother | 

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Taglines:

THRILLS...ACTION..."Somewhere in the Pacific"

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Genres:

War | Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Artilheiro Aéreo

Filming Locations:

Harlingen Aerial Gunnery School, Harlingen, Texas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pine-Thomas Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The failure of the original copyright holder to renew the film's copyright resulted in it falling into public domain, meaning that virtually anyone could duplicate and sell a VHS/DVD copy of the film. Therefore, many of the versions of this film available on the market are either severely (and usually badly) edited and/or of extremely poor quality, having been duped from second- or third-generation (or more) copies of the film.

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Goofs

When the Japanese fighters attack the bomber, we can clearly see that there are five of them. Foxie also confirms there are five enemy planes, and the planes are counted during the attack as they are shot down by the gunners. But when we cut to a close-up of the Japanese pilot, more than five planes can be seen on the far side of his fighter.

User Reviews

Look Up in the Sky

"A bomber plane limps home from a dangerous mission and the wounded pilots recounts, in dramatic flashbacks, the story of one soldier's bravery. Sworn rivals in civilian life, Sgt. Davis (Richard Arlen) and 'Foxy' Pattis (Chester Morris) are shot down behind enemy lines. Surrounded by hostile Japanese troops, they must put aside their deep hatred of one another in order to survive. Featuring convincing aerial dogfight footage and authoritative performances by Morris and Arlen, this wartime propaganda extravaganza depicts men facing certain death roused to a higher calling," say the good folks at Alpha Video.

Popular "Henry Aldrich" series star Jimmy Lydon (as Sanford "Sandy" Lunt) makes a good dramatic impression. Playing Mr. Lydon's sister, attractive Amelita "Lita" Ward (as Peggy) makes her film debut; her second film co-starred William "Billy" Benedict (who is featured herein as a sleepy private) and future husband Leo Gorcey. Dependable Dick Purcell (as "Gadget") has the best comic relief scenes. Rugged Robert Mitchum receives special billing on present purchases of "Aerial Gunner" but appears very briefly (it is a speaking part, though). At least one of the fun bit and supporting players became Superman.

***** Aerial Gunner (3/20/43) William H. Pine ~ Chester Morris, Richard Arlen, Jimmy Lydon, Amelita Ward