jacobs-greenwood One might logically assume that God is my Co-Pilot (1945) would be about a pilot's faith and, upon learning that it's about a fighter pilot during World War II, would describe how God was a constant companion from which he drew strength and how He helped the man survive dangerous missions through prayer etc. Nope.Instead, God is my Co-Pilot is fairly short on faith while being pretty long on the stereotypes of the genre at the time, like the derogatory language used to refer to the United States' enemy Japan, and its Zero pilots. In fact, the only time one witnesses Colonel Scott praying is near the story's end, when he prays to be part of a last mission to bomb the Japanese to Hell!Other than these disappointments, this Robert Florey directed WW II drama, adapted by Peter Milne and Abem Finkel (who shared an Oscar nomination for adapting Alvin York's WW I diary in the superior faith-based war drama Sergeant York (1941)), features some pretty good aerial combat action while detailing how the China-based Flying Tigers - led by Major General Claire L. Chennault - were so successful: they obtained military intelligence from a network of thousands of Chinese to prepare and stage their defenses in advance of any Japanese attack.Dennis Morgan plays Scott, Raymond Massey plays Chennault. Dane Clark and John Ridgely play two of Scott's fellow Flying Tigers. Andrea King plays Scott's wife Catherine, back in Georgia. Stanley Ridges and Minor Watson also appear, as officers. Richard Loo plays Tokyo Joe, Scott's chief rival in the air, and (uncredited) Philip Ahn plays a character akin to the war's Tokyo Rose, who spouted (sometimes false) propaganda over the radio to upset the Americans stationed in the Pacific.The real Scott was a war hero, notable for downing 13 of Japan's aircraft, and he may have had great faith - though he's portrayed as more self-reliant in this film. There is a faithful American - a China missionary - portrayed in the story, though Big Mike Harrigan (played by Alan Hale) appears to be a fictional character. Harrigan does pray on a couple of occasions, the last at the movie's end.

mark.waltz Air force pilot Dennis Morgan desperately wants to get off the ground, and finds that even the most supposedly dull mission can turn into something dangerously exciting. Whether it's God in the copilot's seat with him or chaplain Alan Hale (Sr.), you know that when the mission he's praying for does strike, God will be with him, the point of many a bit of a war drama. Leading them with determination to complete their mission is veteran actor Philip Ahn as the Tokyo radio announcer harassing them in order to break their spirit."OK you Yankee Doodle Dandy's, come and get us!", one Japanese pilot (Richard Loo) roars, sounding a bit like Cagney as he refers to the flying tigers as gangsters. It's a clichéd premise of World War II that fills the script, perhaps not as subtle as some of the genuine war classics, but I can't imagine this giving thrills to the home-front and a few unintended laughs to post war audiences. Seeing this several times over the years, I forgot that this was the film that often documented line came from in dramatizing the war years.So in spite of the clichés and obvious late war propaganda, this was a guaranteed crowd pleaser of its time, showing the Japanese as crafty but determined and equal as patriotic as the Americans, only less villainized than the Germans but equal as a foe. It has the Warner Brothers know how of technical excellence and a fine supporting cast including Andrea King as Morgan's wife, Raymond Massey as the commander and Dane Clark as one of the most determined of pilots. Little time is wasted for frivolity, making this direct and determined by its own mission. For a record of the war we hoped would end all wars, what else would you want?

William Gruendler Here in Atlanta we mourn the death Monday, February 27th of General Robert L. Scott, ace and author of the book from which this classic movie was made. Scott owed $25,00 in back taxes after publishing his (most successful) book in the Summer of 1943 - during the height of WW II. His publisher advanced the tax money to him and gave him another assignment. The result: "Damned to Glory". Other books include "Runway to the Sun", Look of the Eagle", Tiger in the Sky and another classic IMHO: "Chennault of China". They don't make 'em - men and movies - like this any more. Scott to his last days was a fixture at the renowned Museum of Avation in Warner Robins, GA. He was always very helpful and full of stories with which to inform and regale the museum patrons. He will be sorely missed. Get the movie and the book and savor them like old wine.

jacinta-1 When I was a little boy I first watched this movie in Denver, Colorado for the admission price of 35 cents. It was a great movie to see at that young age and fell in love with Alan Hale sr. the actor. I always tryed to see any film with him in it. Russ Tafoya.....Rest In Peace Mr. Alan Hale