thinker1691
John Ford took the inspiration for this film from the actual life story of Frank 'spig' Wead, (John Wayne) who was a naval aviator and Hollywood writer. The film follows him through his early days after Annapolis and his life time competition with the U.S. Army. Despite it being a comical look at the silly escapades with his life-time friends in the army and navy, it also illuminates the guilt laden sorrow between his wife (Maureen O'Hara) and the unfortunate tragedy like the loss of his first son which the couple had to endure. Among them was the accidental fall he took at home which left him paralyzed. Through it, he was blessed with friends like 'Jughead' Carson who nursed him back through his mishap and onto the deck of a Naval ship. John Dale Price (Ken Curtis) and Herbert Allen Hazard (Kenneth Tobey) life times friends who saw their friend into the sunset of his life. All in all, this is a fun film for all and a definite inspiration to all who think of losing hope. A Great film for Wayne and a movie which became a Classic for his fans. Easily recommended to all. ****
vincentlynch-moonoi
Whenever my father would come home on leave from the Air Force, I could count on being taken to at least one movie. There were two that I remembered vividly. One was "The Joker Is Wild", memorable for the scene where Sinatra is beaten and his throat slashed. The other was this film, and what I specifically remembered was the final scene where Frank Wead is transferred from his ship to another to be retired. I haven't seen the film since 1957 until tonight in 2011...54 years...but I still remembered that scene so well.However, I have a lot of problems with this film. And the biggest problem is -- is this really the way our men in the military behaved back then? If so, I've lost a lot of respect for our military back then. No discipline, frequent drunken fights, and so forth. It's an embarrassment. Or, did John Ford just try to make it a good and fun story? But, perhaps our sense of what is good and admirable in American life has changed over the past 54 years. As I watched this film, what was mostly on my mind was what a lousy husband and father Frank Wead was...at least as portrayed in this film.John Wayne did quite an admirable job acting here, particularly because it is not the kind of role -- a cripple -- that we usually associate with Wayne. Maureen O'Hara, lovely as ever, got cheated here. But, as the old saying goes, "They also serve who only stand and wait." Perhaps, next to Wayne, the best portrayal goes to Dan Dailey.Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne were excellent together, although of their pairings this is my least favorite.In the past year or so I've reexamined quite a few of John Wayne's films, and overall I'm more impressed than I remembered. However, I'm not overly impressed with this film, even though it's based on a true story. If you haven't seen this film, and you like Wayne at all, you ought to watch it...at least once. Yet, I cannot recommend it as one of Wayne's better films. But, it is a good -- and different -- performance by the Duke.
wes-connors
In this absurd John Ford biography, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara play the young Mr. & Mrs. Spig Wead. Watching their drinking and smoking habits, it's a wonder they didn't burn down the house, or fall down the stairs, earlier. Mr. Wayne is way too old for these shenanigans; all of the slapstick carousing could not have been good for his health. Favorite early film moment: check out the way Wayne attacks Ms. O'Hara's face in the "love scene" before the accident! Intermission: John Wayne and Dan Daily sing, "I'm Gonna Move That Toe".The movie becomes more dramatic. To show his advancing years, Wayne plays without his toupee; surprisingly, he looks more natural, and vulnerable, than he ever will again. Not so for O'Hara; who looks like Maureen O'Hara with an ugly streak of silver paint in her hair.Check out the scene with Wayne saying, "
it's too late"; then, O'Hara kisses his balding head - a symbolic way of saying, "John Wayne, you are older than your years, take it easy, we love you." It's a very nicely photographed scene, and the highlight of the movie. That's what the film has to offer - nice moments.Finally, the movie becomes a war story. There are a lot of bombs, and airplanes crash. The John Wayne/John Ford "formula" production shows signs of crashing with "The Wings of Eagles". *** The Wings of Eagles (2/22/57) John Ford ~ John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Ward Bond, Dan Dailey
Eirehawk
This movie surprised me when I first saw it-I wondered where had it been? This movie is just flat out terrific, Wayne, O'Hara, all the supporting cast members, the story, the fact it's true(based on a true story), and that John Wayne is human make for a 9 in my book. (I give The Shootist a 10, as the best John Wayne western.)This is also a great love story, between Wayne and O'Hara-which is more realistic than most of these "guys in war" stories. Also, a tip of the hat to the part of the story dealing with nerve injuries and rehab, and the backdrop of America's unpreparedness in air power post-WW I, think about Billy Mitchell while you're watching this movie.Must see for Wayne, O'Hara, or John Ford fans.
AD
