Ladies Courageous (1944)

Director:

John Rawlins

Writers:

Virginia Spencer Cowles (novel)
Doris Gilbert (writer)

Release Date:

1 February 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

WOMEN WITH WINGS! (original print ad - all caps)

Plot:

The story of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, a unit of female pilots during WW II who flew bombers from the factories to their final destinations. |

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | Aviation | WWII | Based On Novel

Cast

Loretta Young	...	Roberta Harper
Geraldine Fitzgerald	...	Virgie Alford
Diana Barrymore	...	Nadine Shannon
Anne Gwynne	...	Gerry Vail
Evelyn Ankers	...	Wilhelmina Van Kronk
Phillip Terry	...	Major Tommy Harper
David Bruce	...	Frank Garrison
Lois Collier	...	Jill Romilly
June Vincent	...	Mary Frances Wright
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Brig. General Wade
Richard Fraser	...	Col. Andy Brennan
Frank Jenks	...	Snapper Anthony Walgreen
Janet Shaw	...	Bee Jay
Kane Richmond	...	Alex Anderson

Also Known As:

Fury in the Sky (USA) (reissue title)
When Ladies Fly (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Sweden:Btl

Company:

Universal Pictures

Soundtrack:

I'll Remember April

May contain spoiler information

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Women entered the work force during WWII. Some did so out of necessity, some did so out of patriotism and the women who were WASPS, women pilots, flew because they loved to fly. They were fiercely patriotic women who dared to dream of flying.

I am helping one of these wonderful women prepare stories from this period (she is in her 90's). I am so proud to know her and have a chance to help compile this tiny bit of history. This movie was made and used as a propaganda movie by the "good old boys" as a way to get rid of women pilots. It made them appear like tramps. This is far from the truth. It did, unfortunately, work. The WASPS were deactivated as Congressmen were told to watch the movie, as if it were a documentary on the behavior of the girls. These women braved the unimaginable at this time in our history. They are heroes to every young woman who has a dream. This movie slanders their memory and service. It trivializes their bravery and service.

Some of these ladies died.

One of the jobs was to serve as a "tow target." That meant they flew with a big bullseye behind the plane so BOYS could get target practice. Too honorable and dedicated to reject such a foolish job, they did it. They were helping! Young girls of today have no comprehension how hard their grandmothers fought to give them the opportunities they have today. Someday, soon, I hope, they will remake an accurate form of this movie -- while some of these treasures are still alive. (Very few WASPS are still alive.) I was incredibly sad to see the summary of this movie, saying how it helped the "war morale." War is hell, but to use a movie as a vehicle to trash this group of brave women makes me sick. Would somebody please re-make this movie? Tell the REAL story of dedication, hard thankless service and sometimes death.

My old friend actually started to cry when she told me Hollywood made a movie alleging they were all tramps. It always seems strange to hear an old woman to use those words. Yet, she was once a young woman -- she was one of the first women pilots in the world -- 21 years old with the wind blowing through her hair - literally. This was not done to get a man. They had to be perfect and "the best," because they had to prove themselves. I also could not believe that Congresmen watched this movie as "evidence" of how the women pilots behaved. It could not be farther from the truth. Remake time! Please!