Fighter Squadron (1948)

During World War II, an insubordinate fighter pilot finds the shoe on the other foot when he's promoted.

Director:

Raoul Walsh

Writers:

Seton I. Miller, Martin Rackin (additional dialogue)

Stars:

Edmond O'Brien, Robert Stack, John Rodney

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edmond O'Brien	...	Maj Ed Hardin
Robert Stack	...	Capt. Stuart L. Hamilton
John Rodney	...	Col. William 'Bill' Brickley
Tom D'Andrea	...	M / Sgt. James F. Dolan
Henry Hull	...	Brig. Gen. Mike McCready
James Holden	...	Lt. Tennessee Atkins
Walter Reed	...	Capt. Duke Chappell
Shepperd Strudwick	...	Brig. Gen. Mel Gilbert
Arthur Space	...	Maj. Sanford
Jack Larson	...	Lt. 'Shorty' Kirk
Bill McLean	...	Pvt. Wilbur (as William McLean)
Mickey McCardle	...	Jacobs
Jeff Richards	...	Captain (scenes deleted) (as Richard Taylor)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rory Mallinson	...	Guard (scenes deleted)

Storyline

At an American air base in England, 1943, is conniving Sergeant Dolan, who manipulates everyone, and insubordinate ace fighter pilot Major Ed Hardin. When Ed is promoted to commander of his group, he must fight his former anti-authority stance as well as the enemy; tension grows as D-Day approaches. Generally lighthearted between moments of technicolor gore; lots of air combat footage, much of it genuine.

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Plot Keywords:

fighter pilot | d day | sergeant | black cat | ladies man | 

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Taglines:

Those Guys in the Skies with Wings on Their Hearts Bring a Roaring New Thrill to Yours!

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Genres:

Action | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

27 November 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Escadrilles de combat

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed on location at Oscoda Army Air Field (Wurtsmith AFB), Michigan.

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Goofs

In the flying sequences, the "German ME-109" fighter planes are actually American P-51 Mustangs.

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Soundtracks

"Yankee Doodle"
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Taking command of the skies.

Directed by Raoul Walsh this movie is built around actual war footage. Air battle scenes are some of the best ever. The Third Fighter Group of the Army Air Force stationed in England pave the way for V-E Day by dueling with the German Luftwaffe. Along with the great camera footage is the background score of Max Steiner. A very good cast that features:Edmond O'Brien, Robert Stack, Tom D'Andrea, Shepperd Strudwick, James Holden and the one-line debut of Rock Hudson. This memorable film is even better in tandem with another Walsh war flick OBJECTIVE, BURMA!(1945). Sometimes predictable, but very worthwhile.