A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941)

An American pilot impulsively joins His Majesty's Royal Air Force in Britain in an attempt to impress his ex-girlfriend.

Director:

Henry King

Writers:

Darrell Ware (screenplay), Karl Tunberg (screenplay)

Stars:

Tyrone Power, Betty Grable, John Sutton

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tyrone Power	...	Tim Baker
Betty Grable	...	Carol Brown
John Sutton	...	Wing Commander Morley
Reginald Gardiner	...	Roger Pillby
Donald Stuart	...	Cpl. Harry Baker
Ralph Byrd	...	Al Bennett
Richard Fraser	...	Thorndyke
Denis Green	...	Flight Lt. Redmond
Bruce Lester	...	Flight Lt. Sterling Richardson
Gilchrist Stuart	...	Wales
Lester Matthews	...	Group Captain
Frederick Worlock	...	Canadian Major
Ethel Griffies	...	Lady Fitzhugh
Fortunio Bonanova	...	Louie - Headwaiter
James Craven	...	Instructor

Storyline

Tyrone Power is a pilots' pilot, but he doesn't believe in anything beyond his own abilities. He gets into trouble by flying a new fighter directly to Canada instead of to New York and letting it be towed across as the law demands, but is offered a new job ferrying bombers to war torn England. While on a layover he finds Betty Grable, an old flame, has joined the RAF as a WREN in her attempt to fight for democracy. Power joins up to impress her and in the course of his several missions begins to develope an understanding of what they are fighting for.

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Plot Keywords:

pilot | bomber | spitfire aircraft | royal air force | love triangle | 

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Taglines:

ROLLICKING ROMANCE! GLORIOUS ADVENTURE! (original ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1942 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Eagle Flies Again

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tyrone Power's flying stunt double in this movie, RAF pilot Lt. Harold Barlow, was shot down by German aircraft and taken prisoner, according to a 20th Century-Fox press release of 24 January 1942.

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Goofs

Both night raids, Berlin and Dortmund, use footage of the same city by night.

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Quotes

Tim Baker: Well, I haven't looked at another girl since you left.
Carol Brown: Well, I've looked at other men.
Tim Baker: Maybe, but I'll bet you didn't look at them the same way you looked at me that first night in Kansas City. Remember?... You were going east, and I was going west; then we saw each other, and I was going east!

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Connections

Referenced in Myra Breckinridge (1970)

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Soundtracks

She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain When She Comes
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played after Baker lands the plane in Canada
Played often in the score

User Reviews

As flimsy as it gets

This PearL Harbor like story that was released before the actual bombing of Pearl Harbor occurred does not have much going for it. Tyrone is roguishly handsome and gives all his scenes the necessary spark of a golden boy daredevil but it all comes across as very hollow as he jets off to London to join the war for monetary purposes to deliver bombs or is it flyers? over Germany. John Sutton, his boss and arch-rival with a very charming voice and demeanor provides good support to no avail. Betty Grableas the girl in one of her few dramatic parts (if this could be called a dramatic part)is fine but the probably with this movie is that it intends to only entertain and is afraid to dig any deeper than a few inches. Hammy speeches are delivered, strong scenes killed with ill-advised laughter and everybody talks and acts like children while playing grown adults. The battle of Dunkirk filmed in a swerving and swelling wide shot is gorgeous to look at. It is like a real life video game as filmed using models of the real thing by the technical crew. Such,it was nominated for a special effects Oscar. This is a typical DFZ production with not much to offer to the body or the soul.