Screaming Eagles (1956)

"Screaming Eagles" is a historical drama about paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division fighting during the D-Day Invasion in June of 1944. The title was the Division's nickname.

Director:

Charles F. Haas

Writers:

David Lang (screenplay), Robert Presnell Jr. (screenplay)

Stars:

Tom Tryon, Jan Merlin, Alvy Moore

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Tryon	...	Pvt. Mason
Jan Merlin	...	Lt. Pauling
Alvy Moore	...	Pvt. Grimes
Martin Milner	...	Pvt. Corliss
Jacqueline Beer	...	Marianne
Joe Di Reda	...	Pvt. Dubrowski (as Joe di Reda)
Mark Damon	...	Pvt. Lambert
Paul Burke	...	Cpl. Dreef
Pat Conway	...	Sgt. Forrest
Edward G. Robinson Jr.	...	Pvt. Smith
Ralph Votrian	...	Pvt. Talbot
Paul Smith	...	Pvt. Foley
Robert Blake	...	Pvt. Hernandez (as Bobby Blake)
Robert Roark	...	Pvt. Torren
Robert Dix	...	Pvt. Peterson (as Bob Dix)

Storyline

Screaming Eagles is a world war two drama about a 15-men platoon of paratroopers. The platoon, under Lt. Pauling's command, belongs to Company D, 502nd Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. Shortly before the Normandy landings, the platoon receives last-minute recruits who must be parachute-trained in a hurry. Some of the new men come from the Merchant Marine. There is some friction between the newcomers and the veteran members of the platoon. Lieutenant Pauling and Sergeant Forrest do their best to keep incidents to a minimum. On the eve of the Normandy landings, the platoon decides to use the issued passes to celebrate in town the upcoming action. However, at the gate of the base, the soldiers are informed that all passes have been canceled in the view of the imminent Normandy invasion. All members of the platoon are rejoiced at the news. They head back to the barracks and prepare their gear for the flight to France. They even sober-up private Mason, who, ...

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Plot Keywords:

world war two | england | d day | year 1944 | normandy france | 

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Taglines:

Tough as They Come!

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 May 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Acvilele urlătoare

Filming Locations:

Fort Benning, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bischoff-Diamond Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most German vehicles are actually US Army vehicles painted up with German markings. The German truck that the American soldiers steal is a Dodge Weapons Carrier, the background German armored vehicles are US M13 halftracks and the German command car is a Willys T-14 6X6 (a US Jeep with six wheels, very rare!)

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Goofs

The final shot of the film, when Marianne waves to the departing Lt. Pauling and Private Mason, is reversed, or "flipped," as the 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagle" shoulder patch on the jump jacket she's wearing is on the right shoulder. The patches were worn on the left shoulder.

User Reviews

Interesting and unusual

Tom Tryon's first movie. He is over the top as being the most unlikeable soldier in the 101st Division. Some 20 miles behind German lines on Day-D minus 12 hours they are casually taking prisioners. They encounter a tri-lingual French woman for sweet talking the Germans who let them pass thru to the American lines in the North. It's all highly improbable. The bad attitude shown by Private Mason (Tryon) should have gotten him transfered into a less critical position. I think of all the unlikely things in this movie, the fact that no one beats the stuffing out of Mason is the most unusual thing about the movie. Another strange thing about this movie, is that the unit doesn't accomplish its mission, you get reminded at the end what they were supposed to do in the first place.