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Toward the Unknown

  • 19561956
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
622
YOUR RATING
Toward the Unknown (1956)
DramaHistoryRomance
At the dawn of supersonic flight in the 1950s a group of Edwards Air Force Base experimental aircraft test pilots push themselves to the limit.At the dawn of supersonic flight in the 1950s a group of Edwards Air Force Base experimental aircraft test pilots push themselves to the limit.At the dawn of supersonic flight in the 1950s a group of Edwards Air Force Base experimental aircraft test pilots push themselves to the limit.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
622
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Mervyn LeRoy
  • Writer
    • Beirne Lay Jr.
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Lloyd Nolan
    • Virginia Leith
  • Director
    • Mervyn LeRoy
  • Writer
    • Beirne Lay Jr.
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Lloyd Nolan
    • Virginia Leith
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 35User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos24

    William Holden, Charles McGraw, and Lloyd Nolan in Toward the Unknown (1956)
    William Holden and Lloyd Nolan in Toward the Unknown (1956)
    Toward the Unknown (1956)
    Charles McGraw in Toward the Unknown (1956)
    William Holden and Virginia Leith in Toward the Unknown (1956)
    Toward the Unknown (1956)
    Toward the Unknown (1956)
    William Holden, Murray Hamilton, and Lloyd Nolan in Toward the Unknown (1956)
    William Holden, Beirne Lay Jr., Virginia Leith, Mervyn LeRoy, Charles McGraw, and Lloyd Nolan in Toward the Unknown (1956)
    Toward the Unknown (1956)
    Toward the Unknown (1956)
    Toward the Unknown (1956)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Holden
    William Holden
    • Maj. Lincoln Bond
    Lloyd Nolan
    Lloyd Nolan
    • Brig. Gen. Bill Banner
    Virginia Leith
    Virginia Leith
    • Connie Mitchell
    Charles McGraw
    Charles McGraw
    • Col. 'Mickey' McKee
    Murray Hamilton
    Murray Hamilton
    • Maj. Bromo Lee
    Paul Fix
    Paul Fix
    • Lt. Gen. Bryan Shelby
    James Garner
    James Garner
    • Lt. Col. Joe Craven
    L.Q. Jones
    L.Q. Jones
    • 2nd Lt. Sweeney
    Karen Steele
    Karen Steele
    • Polly Craven
    Bartlett Robinson
    Bartlett Robinson
    • Sen. Black
    Malcolm Atterbury
    Malcolm Atterbury
    • Hank - Bell Technical Rep.
    Ralph Moody
    Ralph Moody
    • Harvey Gilbert
    Maura Murphy
    Maura Murphy
    • Sarah McKee
    Carol Kelly
    • Debbie
    Richard H. Cutting
    Richard H. Cutting
    • Doc Bailey - Flight Surgeon
    • (uncredited)
    John Daheim
    John Daheim
    • Stranger in Nightclub Fight
    • (uncredited)
    Cathy Ferrara
    • Lucy Craven
    • (uncredited)
    Don C. Harvey
    Don C. Harvey
    • Jerry - Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Mervyn LeRoy
    • Writer
      • Beirne Lay Jr.
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The scene with William Holden losing control and tumbling in the X-2 is depicted with actual footage from test pilot Chuck Yeager's 70,000-foot freefall in the Bell X-1A in 1953.
    • Goofs
      Throughout the film General Banner's combat ribbons on his uniform keep changing in number. Early in the film he has three rows of combat ribbons. Later, he has 5-rows, and then 3-rows again.
    • Quotes

      Brig. Gen. Bill Banner: [to Maj. Lincoln Bond] Even with torture, you're not the kind to crack.

    • Connections
      Referenced in What's My Line?: June Taylor and Her Dancers & William Holden (1956)
    • Soundtracks
      The U.S. Air Force
      by Robert Crawford

    User reviews35

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Realistic portrayal of supersonic flight
    This is one good film, with great performances by William Holden and Lloyd Nolan. Also James Garner's film debut. It seems to have disappeared here in the US, although I understand it's shown occasionally in Britain. Filmed at a real airbase, it looks authentic enough that you can almost smell the jet fuel. Great history lesson on the beginning of rocket flight. The only knock is Virginia Leith, who must be one of the most untalented actresses in Hollywood history. Even scene she's in brings the film down. But Holden is, as always, great.
    helpful•9
    1
    • jdeitz
    • Aug 24, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1956 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Einst kommt die Stunde
    • Filming locations
      • Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Toluca Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $2,200,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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