Bombardier (1943)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Richard Wallace

Writers:

John Twist (story) and
Martin Rackin (story) ...

Release Date:

14 May 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

See the bombing of Tokyo before your very eyes!

Plot:

Training of bombardiers in semi-documentary style, with personal stories and a battle climax.

Plot Keywords:

Semi Documentary | Bombardier | Bombing | Cadet | Japan

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Eugene L. Eubank	...	Himself (as Brigadier General Eugene L. Eubank)
Pat O'Brien	...	Major Chick Davis
Randolph Scott	...	Captain Buck Oliver
Anne Shirley	...	Burton Hughes
Eddie Albert	...	Tom Hughes
Walter Reed	...	Jim Carter
Robert Ryan	...	Joe Connors
Barton MacLane	...	Sergeant Archie Dixon
Leonard Strong	...	Japanese Officer
Richard Martin	...	Chito Rafferty
Russell Wade	...	Paul Harris
John Miljan	...	Chaplain Charlie Craig
Charles Russell	...	Instructor

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #8903) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

Richard Martin plays a character named "Chito Rafferty". He appeared as Tim Holt's side-kick, Chito Rafferty, in numerous RKO B westerns in the 1940's and 1950"s.

Quotes:

Burton Hughes: You're quite an entomologist.
Sgt. Archie Dixon: Nope! But I know all about bugs.

Movie Connections:

References Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

Soundtrack:

You're In the Army Now

Summary: The man in command

There is no question as to who is in command of the training of cadets in this film: Major Chick Davis (Pat O'Brien). O'Brien plays an officer who adheres to military discipline in the creation of a new kind of soldier from his cadets--the bombardier. But he is not so rigid as to be unfair or unfriendly. In fact, he even changes his opinion as to the value of women working in the military. He's tough when he has to be, yet at other times he is a clear mix of coach and pastor, roles he perfected in other films. His character is the foundation of the action around which everything revolves. O'Brien seems natural in the role, and plays it in fine fashion. Two things help this movie: O'Brien's performance and the spectacular special effects ending.