ksf-2 Franchot Tone, Van Johnson, and Gene Kelly star in WW II flick about an American unit, stuck with a dutch commander. This was 1943, so we had already been in the war for a couple years. Down to one plane, they must take it out and do whatever damage they can. Lots of flashbacks, as we hear everyone's story, and how they got to be here. That takes up most of the film. VERY typical WW II film. Everyone doing their part. Some fun supporting roles -- Eddie Acuff, Monte Blue, Peter Lawford. Names that would turn into bigger names a few years later. Story by David Hertz. Directed by George Sidney, who co-founded Hanna Barbera. Also directed Kiss me Kate, Bye Bye Birdie, Three Musketeers, Pal Joey, Annie get your Gun,and SO MANY other biggies. I'm surprised that Sidney never won an Oscar.. probably should have gotten a lifetime achievement award or something. This one is okay. Chugs right along, Kind of two different plots though... there's the WW II story, and the "rich versus the poor" story-line within the flashbacks. Not bad. MGM/Loews. Shows now and then on TCM.

howdymax I'm usually not that fond of movies that use flashbacks to tell a story, but I would have to make an exception for this one. It reminds me, in some ways, of another movie, High Barbaree, which used the same gimmick. Van Johnson even appeared in both. There are some major differences though. While High Barbaree was a rather sappy movie with a pretty weak story line, this production had a punch.It involves a raggedy group of five American pilots left on an isolated island in the Pacific during the early days of WW II. They are commanded by a Dutch Major and there is only one patched up plane left to attack the Japanese carrier that threatens to destroy them. All five pilots volunteer for what amounts to a suicide mission. Guess which pilot the Major picks.From here on, we move from flashback to flashback, and little by little learn everything there is to know about Pilot #5. It stretches the imagination a little to realize that all the other pilots knew him in some capacity in civvy street. When the Dutch Major asks who this brave volunteer is, they all put the jigsaw puzzle together piece by piece.His life before this heroic mission is the real story. It begins with a naive young man, in love, and with dreams of a successful law career. We find him tempted by greed and power into a life of corruption. He loses the girl, his self respect, and his career. Of course he has to redeem himself or how else could be become the hero of this movie? Unlike High Barbaree, this story is compelling and ends with an action packed bang.About the cast. Franchot Tone plays the hero. No matter how many movies I've seen him in, I always see him as Franchot Tone - not the character he plays. Still, he isn't bad in this one. Marsha Hunt plays the love interest. I always thought she got the shaft during the blacklist. She was talented, beautiful, and could really sing, but her politics got in the way of her career. The only other principal player was Gene Kelly. Nothing like the song and dance man you might remember him as. He plays a straight dramatic role, and does it well. I mentioned Van Johnson. This was early in his career and he has an incidental support role as one of the pilots. The rest of the cast are somewhat familiar contract players.There is a lot of propaganda in this movie. As a matter of fact, there is a rather ridiculous speech at the end of the movie, where the Dutch Major compares corrupt politicians and greedy landowners to Mussolini and declares them all fascists. Maybe Marsha Hunt should have passed on this one.

whpratt1 It was great seeing this picture and seeing a great beautiful Lady, and actress named Marsha Hunt. She appeared in many pictures in Hollywood and in this picture she stars with a leading man of the 30's and 40's Franchot Tone, (Lt. George Braynor Collins),"Advise and Consent",'62. Marsha Hunt,Fredie Andrew/Collins),"Blue Denium",'59, was not appreciated as she should have been in Hollywood and was not given the proper roles she deserved. In this picture she plays a woman caught between two men, Gene Kelly (Lt. Vito S. Alessandro)," Brigadoon",'54, who is madly in love with her and also lets her know how he really feels. There are flash backs in this film about all these men who are pilots and fighting against Japan in WW II. It was very interesting seeing Gene Kelly acting instead of "Dancing In The Rain", as he did in the many musicals he use to appear in for MGM. Van Johnson (Lt.Everett Arnold),"Subway in the Sky",'59, even appeared in this picture very young and just starting out in his career. A great film with many great Classic actors. It is nice to know that Marsha Hunt will have a Birthday on Oct 17th, she will be 87 years younger!

Bob-327 There was just one american aircraft left on the small South Pacific island. Five remaining pilots stood in formation as the commander asked for a volunteer to fly out to the threatening Japanese fleet. All five volunteered. The commander had to determine which volunteer to choose. He asked each one in turn why he wanted to fly the mission. Answers like "The dirty Japs killed my brother at...", etc. Then, pilot no. 5 was asked why he was volunteering. His answer was "For my country."These words of dedication to country made a lasting impression on an 11 year-old boy.