Lafayette Escadrille (1958)

Director:

William A. Wellman

Writers:

Albert Sidney Fleischman (writer)
William A. Wellman (story)

Release Date:

March 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | War

Plot:

American youth and flying ace flys for France in World War I; meets & loves a French girl & prostitute. |

Plot Keywords:

Layfayette Esquadrille | WWI | Beautiful Woman | Aviation

Cast

Tab Hunter	...	Thad Walker
Etchika Choureau	...	Renée Beaulieu
Marcel Dalio	...	Drill Sergeant
David Janssen	...	Duke Sinclair
Paul Fix	...	U.S. General
Veola Vonn	...	The Madam
Will Hutchins	...	Dave Putnam
Clint Eastwood	...	George Moseley
Robert Hover	...	Dave Judd (as Bob Hover)
Tom Laughlin	...	Arthur Blumenthal
Brett Halsey	...	Frank Baylies
Henry Nakamura	...	Jimmy
Maurice Marsac	...	Sgt. Parris
Raymond Bailey	...	Amos J. Walker
William Wellman Jr.	...	Bill Wellman Sr.

Also Known As:

C'est la guerre (USA) (alternative title)
Hell Bent for Glory (UK)
With You in My Arms (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Santa Maria, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Director "Wild Bill" Wellman wanted to give the lead part of Thad Walker to a young, new actor named Clint Eastwood, but the studio insisted on the part going to Tab Hunter who did play the lead. Clint Eastwood ended up playing the supporting role of George Moseley.

Quotes:

Jimmy: [repeated line to the American flyers] Good morning, American bum!
Duke Sinclaire: I'm not sure I like being called a "bum"! I've always thought of myself as more of a "tramp".

Movie Connections:

Version of Flyboys (2006)

" Somewhere between Abore and Paris, I grew Up "

The films involving early flying, aircraft and the conflict of air battle are very interesting. However, due to the limited equipment and the lack of good directors and writers, the earliest offerings of movie flying are greatly lacking. The late great Howard Hughes did one called 'Hells Angels' which was not bad, but difficult to follow. This is one of those attempts. The casting is overloaded with prime star material, in fact this movie has some of the best aspiring talent in Hollywood. If you'll look closely, you'll see, David Janssen, playing Duke Sinclair, Clint Eastwood playing George Moseley, Tom (Billy Jack) Laughlin as Arthur Blumenthal, Paul Fix as the General and Will Hutchins as Dave Putnam. Tab Hunter is Thad Walker in this story which is more love story than W.W.I fighting epic, is fine for it's day, but somewhat of a sleeper for modern audiences. Nvertheless, a good offering of primitive flying and fanciful storyline for it's time. ***