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{{short description|1938 film by William A. Wellman}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = Men with Wings
| name = Men with Wings
Line 6: Line 7:
| producer = William A. Wellman <br/> William LeBaron <br/> (Executive Producer)
| producer = William A. Wellman <br/> William LeBaron <br/> (Executive Producer)
| writer = [[Robert Carson (writer)|Robert Carson]]
| writer = [[Robert Carson (writer)|Robert Carson]]
| starring = [[Fred MacMurray]] <br/>[[Ray Milland]]<br/> Louise Campbell
| starring = [[Fred MacMurray]] <br/>[[Ray Milland]]<br/> [[Louise Campbell (actress)|Louise Campbell]]
| music = [[Boris Morros]]
| music = [[Gerard Carbonara]]<br>[[W. Franke Harling]]
| cinematography = W. Howard Greene
| cinematography = [[W. Howard Greene]]
| editing = Thomas Scott
| editing = Thomas Scott
| distributor = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| distributor = [[Paramount Pictures]]
| released = July 16, 1938
| released = {{Film date|1938|07|16|New York City|1938|10|28|United States}}
| runtime = 105 min.
| runtime = 105 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $2 million<ref name="fred">Charles Tranberg, ''Fred MacMurray: A Biography'', Bear Manor Media, 2014</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=NEWS OF THE SCREEN: Three Stunt Fliers Signed for Parts in Paramount's 'Men With Wings'--New Films Open Here Today|date=Oct 12, 1937|work=New York Times|page=31}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top Films and Stars|url=https://archive.org/details/variety133-1939-01/page/n9/mode/1up?q=%E2%80%9CCosting%E2%80%9D|magazine=Variety|accessdate=18 March 2023|page=10|date=4 January 1939}}</ref>
| budget =
| gross = $2 million (U.S. and Canada rentals)<ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 15, 1990|title=All-Time Film Rental Champs|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|issn=0042-2738|page=M-172|first=Lawrence|last=Cohn}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''Men With Wings''''' is an [[United States|American]] [[Technicolor]] film, directed by [[William A. Wellman]] and starring [[Fred MacMurray]], [[Ray Milland]], and Louise Campbell. [[Donald O'Connor]] also has a small part as the younger version of MacMurray's character. The two would soon star in the film ''[[Sing You Sinners (film)|Sing You Sinners]]'' together along with [[Bing Crosby]].
'''''Men with Wings''''' is a 1938 American [[Technicolor]] [[war film]], directed by [[William A. Wellman]] and starring [[Fred MacMurray]], [[Ray Milland]], and [[Louise Campbell (actress)|Louise Campbell]]. [[Donald O'Connor]] also has a small part as the younger version of MacMurray's character. The two would soon star in the film ''[[Sing You Sinners (film)|Sing You Sinners]]'' together along with [[Bing Crosby]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
In 1903, the Wright Brothers set the scene for aviation's advances and influence barnstormer, Pat Falconer ([[Fred MacMurray]]) and his friend, engineer Scott Barnes ([[Ray Milland]]). Falconer marries childhood sweetheart Peggy Ransom (Louise Campbell) although Barnes also loves her, but is unwilling to jeopardize his relationship with his friend.
In 1903, the [[Wright brothers]] set the scene for aviation's advances and influence barnstormer, Pat Falconer and his friend, engineer Scott Barnes. Falconer marries childhood sweetheart Peggy Ransom although Barnes also loves her, but is unwilling to jeopardize his relationship with his friend.


During World War I, Falconer becomes a fighter pilot and after the war continues to fly by "the seat-of-his-pants" rather than do the methodical work of flight research like Barnes. As the 1930s come to a close, restless Falconer leaves his family and friend behind, taking off for China to fight Japanese invaders.
During World War I, Falconer becomes a fighter pilot and after the war continues to fly by "the seat-of-his-pants" rather than do the methodical work of flight research like Barnes. As the 1930s come to a close, restless Falconer leaves his family and friend behind, taking off for China to fight Japanese invaders.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Fred MacMurray]] as Pat Falconer
* [[Fred MacMurray]] as Pat Falconer
* [[Ray Milland]] as Scott Barnes
* [[Ray Milland]] as Scott Barnes
* Louise Campbell as Peggy Ranson
* [[Louise Campbell (actress)|Louise Campbell]] as Peggy Ranson
* [[Andy Devine]] as Joe Gibbs
* [[Andy Devine]] as Joe Gibbs
* [[Lynne Overman]] as Hank Rinebow
* [[Lynne Overman]] as Hank Rinebow
Line 35: Line 38:
* [[Kitty Kelly]] as Martha Ranson
* [[Kitty Kelly]] as Martha Ranson
* [[Virginia Weidler]] as Peggy Ranson at eight
* [[Virginia Weidler]] as Peggy Ranson at eight
* [[Donald O'Connor]] as Pat Falconer at 10
* [[Donald O'Connor]] as Pat Falconer at 13
* [[Billy Cook (actor)|Billy Cook]] as Scott Barnes at 10
* [[Billy Cook (actor)|Billy Cook]] as Scott Barnes at 10
* [[James Burke (actor)|James Burke]] as J.A. Nolan
* [[James Burke (actor)|James Burke]] as J.A. Nolan
* [[Willard Robertson]] as Col. Hadley
* [[Willard Robertson]] as Col. Hadley
* [[Dennis Morgan]] as Galton
* [[Dennis Morgan]] as Galton
* [[Frank Clarke (pilot)|Frank Clarke]] as Burke
* [[Evelyn Keyes]] as a nurse (uncredited)
}}


==Production==
==Production==
For '' Men with Wings'', Wellman was able to utilize a vast amount of talent and resources to stage the epic. <ref name="Notes"/>Besides the impressive array of movie talent, the film was one of the first Hollywood productions to utilize the Technicolor three-strip print process pioneered by the Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation.{{#tag:ref|The Technicolor three-strip process was advertised as "Glorious Technicolor".<ref name="Technicolor"/>|group=N}} <ref name="Technicolor"> Bruce, Elyse. [http://idiomation.wordpress.com/tag/men-with-wings/ "In Glorious Technicolor."] '' Historically Speaking,'' November 25, 2010. Retrieved: March 15, 2012.</ref>
For '' Men with Wings'', Wellman was able to utilize a vast amount of talent and resources to stage the epic.<ref name="Notes"/> Besides the impressive array of movie talent, the film was one of the first Hollywood productions to utilize the Technicolor three-strip camera process pioneered by the Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation.{{#tag:ref|The Technicolor three-strip process was advertised as "Glorious Technicolor".<ref name="Technicolor"/>|group=N}} <ref name="Technicolor">Bruce, Elyse. [http://idiomation.wordpress.com/tag/men-with-wings/ "In Glorious Technicolor."] '' Historically Speaking'', November 25, 2010. Retrieved: March 15, 2012.</ref>


Wellman had a special affinity to both the story and aviation in general. <ref>Wellman 1918, p. 1.</ref>In World War I, earning himself the nickname "Wild Bill", Wellman was first an ambulance driver in the [[List of ambulance drivers during World War I|Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps]], then joined the [[French Foreign Legion]]. <ref>Curtiss, Thomas Quinn. [http://www.iht.com/articles/1994/02/09/cine.php "The Film Career of William Wellman." ]''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' (iht.com), February 9, 1994. Retrieved: March 12, 2012.</ref>On December 3, 1917, assigned as the first American fighter pilot to join N.87 ''escadrille'' in the [[Lafayette Flying Corps]], Wellman went on to score three recorded "kills", along with five probables and to receive the [[Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)|Croix de Guerre]] with two palms.<ref name= "World War I">Silke 1980, p. 57.</ref>
Wellman had a special affinity to both the story and aviation in general.<ref>Wellman 1918, p. 1.</ref> In World War I, earning himself the nickname "Wild Bill", Wellman was first an ambulance driver in the [[List of ambulance drivers during World War I|Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps]], then joined the [[French Foreign Legion]].<ref>Curtiss, Thomas Quinn. [http://www.iht.com/articles/1994/02/09/cine.php "The Film Career of William Wellman." ]''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' (iht.com), February 9, 1994. Retrieved: March 12, 2012.</ref> On December 3, 1917, assigned as the first American fighter pilot to join N.87 ''escadrille'' in the [[Lafayette Flying Corps]], Wellman went on to score three recorded "kills", along with five probables and to receive the [[Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)|Croix de Guerre]] with two palms.<ref name= "World War I">Silke 1980, p. 57.</ref>


The use of mocked-up [[Nieuport 28]] and [[Thomas-Morse Scout]] fighters along with other period aircraft such as one real [[Fokker D.VII]] and the ubiquitous Travelair "Wichita Fokkers" were featured in the aerial sequences.<ref>Parish 1990, p. 245.</ref> {{#tag:ref|''[[Lafayette Escadrille (film)|Lafayette Escadrille]]'' used footage from ''Men with Wings'' with the color removed. The later 1958 feature was also directed by Wellman and is far inferior in every respect to ''Men with Wings''.<ref name="Notes">[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/83315/Men-with-Wings/notes.html "Notes: Men with Wings (1938)."] ''Turner Classic Movies.'' Retrieved: March 14, 2012.</ref> |group=N}} Principal photography took place primarily at California airport locales. Hollywood stunt pilot [[Paul Mantz]] was involved in both flying and directing the aerial filming. <ref name="Aviation Classics">Hardwick and Schnepf 1989, p. 59.</ref>
The use of mocked-up [[Nieuport 28]] and [[Thomas-Morse Scout]] fighters along with other period aircraft such as one real [[Fokker D.VII]] and the ubiquitous Travelair "Wichita Fokkers" were featured in the aerial sequences.<ref>Parish 1990, p. 245.</ref> {{#tag:ref|''[[Lafayette Escadrille (film)|Lafayette Escadrille]]'' used footage from ''Men with Wings'' with the color removed. The later 1958 feature was also directed by Wellman and is far inferior in every respect to ''Men with Wings''.<ref name="Notes">[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/83315/Men-with-Wings/notes.html "Notes: Men with Wings (1938)."] ''Turner Classic Movies.'' Retrieved: March 14, 2012.</ref> |group=N}} Principal photography took place primarily at California airport locales. Hollywood stunt pilot [[Paul Mantz]] was involved in both flying and directing the aerial filming.<ref name="Aviation Classics">Hardwick and Schnepf 1989, p. 59.</ref>


[[File:Men with Wings 02.jpg|thumb|Buhl LA-1 Pup representing early monoplane design (screenshot, note the color)]]
[[File:Men with Wings 02.jpg|thumb|Buhl LA-1 Pup representing early monoplane design (screenshot, note the color)]]

===Aircraft used in the film===
===Aircraft used in the film===
''Men with Wings'' chronicles the "Golden Era" of aviation (1903–1938), featuring a number of significant aircraft in the production, including: <ref name="Aviation Classics"/>
''Men with Wings'' chronicles the "Golden Era" of aviation (1903–1938), featuring a number of significant aircraft in the production, including:<ref name="Aviation Classics"/>
* [[Airco DH.4]]
* [[Airco DH.4]]
* [[Boeing 247]]
* [[Boeing 247]]
Line 65: Line 72:


==Reception==
==Reception==
''Men with Wings'' received good reviews from critics and audience alike. ''Variety'' noted the film "is a giant bomber from the Paramount hangar, designed on a lavish scale by the skilled air picture mechanic, William A. Wellman, and polished off beautifully in Technicolor. The action scenes, including a dog fight in the air, are exceptionally impressive.<ref>[http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117793079?refcatid=31 "Men with Wings."] ''Variety,'' 1938. Retrieved: March 15, 2012.</ref> ''Men with Wings'' was considered an aviation classic, "one of the best pre-war flight films, true to life, and done without replicas ... A buff's dream." <ref name="Aviation Classics"/>The juxtaposing of a love interest, however, was jarring, with critics commenting on that plotline being forced.<ref>Thompson 1983, p. 176.</ref>
''Men with Wings'' received good reviews from critics and audience alike. ''Variety'' noted the film "is a giant bomber from the Paramount hangar, designed on a lavish scale by the skilled air picture mechanic, William A. Wellman, and polished off beautifully in Technicolor. The action scenes, including a dog fight in the air, are exceptionally impressive.<ref>[https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117793079?refcatid=31 "Men with Wings."] ''Variety'', 1938. Retrieved: March 15, 2012.</ref> ''Men with Wings'' was considered an aviation classic, "one of the best pre-war flight films, true to life, and done without replicas ... A buff's dream."<ref name="Aviation Classics"/> The juxtaposing of a love interest, however, was jarring, with critics commenting on that plotline being forced.<ref>Thompson 1983, p. 176.</ref>


==References==
==Notes==
;Notes
{{reflist|group=N}}
{{reflist|group=N}}

;Citations
==Citations==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}
;Bibliography

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Hardwick, Jack and Ed Schnepf. "A Viewer's Guide to Aviation Movies". ''The Making of the Great Aviation Films,'' General Aviation Series, Volume 2, 1989.
* Hardwick, Jack and Ed Schnepf. "A Viewer's Guide to Aviation Movies". ''The Making of the Great Aviation Films'', General Aviation Series, Volume 2, 1989.
* Parish, James Robert. ''The Great Combat Pictures: Twentieth-Century Warfare on the Screen.'' Metuchen, New Jersey: The Scarecrow Press, 1990. ISBN 978-0810823150.
* Parish, James Robert. ''The Great Combat Pictures: Twentieth-Century Warfare on the Screen.'' Metuchen, New Jersey: The Scarecrow Press, 1990. {{ISBN|978-0810823150}}.
* Silke, James R. "Fists, Dames & Wings." ''Air Progress Aviation Review'', Volume 4, No. 4, October 1980.
* Silke, James R. "Fists, Dames & Wings." ''Air Progress Aviation Review'', Volume 4, No. 4, October 1980.
* Thompson, Frank T. ''William A. Wellman'' (Filmmakers Series). Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press, 1983. ISBN 0-8108-1594-X.
* Thompson, Frank T. ''William A. Wellman'' (Filmmakers Series). Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press, 1983. {{ISBN|0-8108-1594-X}}.
* Wellman, William A. ''Go, Get 'em! The True Adventures of an American Aviator of the Lafayette Flying Corps.'' Boston: The Page Company, 1918.
* Wellman, William A. ''Go, Get 'em! The True Adventures of an American Aviator of the Lafayette Flying Corps.'' Boston: The Page Company, 1918.
* Wellman, William A. ''A Short Time for Insanity: An Autobiography''. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1974. ISBN 0-8015-6804-8.
* Wellman, William A. ''A Short Time for Insanity: An Autobiography''. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1974. {{ISBN|0-8015-6804-8}}.
* Wellman, William Jr. ''The Man And His Wings: William A. Wellman and the Making of the First Best Picture''. New York: Praeger Publishers, 2006. ISBN 0-275-98541-5.
* Wellman, William Jr. ''The Man And His Wings: William A. Wellman and the Making of the First Best Picture''. New York: Praeger Publishers, 2006. {{ISBN|0-275-98541-5}}.
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{tcmdb title|83315|Men with Wings}}
{{commons category|Men with Wings}}
*[http://archives.lib.byu.edu/repositories/14/resources/11204 "Men with Wings" signed script] at [[L. Tom Perry Special Collections]], [[Harold B. Lee Library]], [[Brigham Young University]]
⚫
* {{IMDb title|0022139|Men with Wings}}
* {{Allrovi/movie|102126|Men with Wings}}
*{{TCMDb title|83315|Men with Wings}}
⚫
*{{IMDb title|0022139|Men with Wings}}
*{{Cite archival metadata
|author = Finding aid author: John N. Gillespie
|title = "Men with Wings" signed script
|url = http://archives.lib.byu.edu/repositories/14/resources/11204
|repository = L. Tom Perry Special Collections
|location = Provo, Utah
|date = 2012
|accessdate = May 13, 2016
}}


{{William A. Wellman}}
{{William A. Wellman}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Men With Wings}}
[[Category:1938 films]]
[[Category:1938 films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
⚫
[[Category:Aviation films]]
[[Category:American aviation films]]
[[Category:American aviation films]]
[[Category:Films directed by William A. Wellman]]
[[Category:Films directed by William A. Wellman]]
[[Category:Films scored by Gerard Carbonara]]
[[Category:Films scored by W. Franke Harling]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures films]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures films]]
⚫
[[Category:American war films]]
⚫
[[Category:1938 war films]]
[[Category:1930s English-language films]]
[[Category:1930s American films]]
[[Category:English-language war films]]

Latest revision as of 02:13, 22 December 2024

Men with Wings
Photobook image derived from theatrical poster
Directed byWilliam A. Wellman
Written byRobert Carson
Produced byWilliam A. Wellman
William LeBaron
(Executive Producer)
StarringFred MacMurray
Ray Milland
Louise Campbell
CinematographyW. Howard Greene
Edited byThomas Scott
Music byGerard Carbonara
W. Franke Harling
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
  • July 16, 1938 (1938-07-16) (New York City)
  • October 28, 1938 (1938-10-28) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2 million[1][2][3]
Box office$2 million (U.S. and Canada rentals)[4]

Men with Wings is a 1938 American Technicolor war film, directed by William A. Wellman and starring Fred MacMurray, Ray Milland, and Louise Campbell. Donald O'Connor also has a small part as the younger version of MacMurray's character. The two would soon star in the film Sing You Sinners together along with Bing Crosby.

Plot

[edit]

In 1903, the Wright brothers set the scene for aviation's advances and influence barnstormer, Pat Falconer and his friend, engineer Scott Barnes. Falconer marries childhood sweetheart Peggy Ransom although Barnes also loves her, but is unwilling to jeopardize his relationship with his friend.

During World War I, Falconer becomes a fighter pilot and after the war continues to fly by "the seat-of-his-pants" rather than do the methodical work of flight research like Barnes. As the 1930s come to a close, restless Falconer leaves his family and friend behind, taking off for China to fight Japanese invaders.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

For Men with Wings, Wellman was able to utilize a vast amount of talent and resources to stage the epic.[5] Besides the impressive array of movie talent, the film was one of the first Hollywood productions to utilize the Technicolor three-strip camera process pioneered by the Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation.[N 1] [6]

Wellman had a special affinity to both the story and aviation in general.[7] In World War I, earning himself the nickname "Wild Bill", Wellman was first an ambulance driver in the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps, then joined the French Foreign Legion.[8] On December 3, 1917, assigned as the first American fighter pilot to join N.87 escadrille in the Lafayette Flying Corps, Wellman went on to score three recorded "kills", along with five probables and to receive the Croix de Guerre with two palms.[9]

The use of mocked-up Nieuport 28 and Thomas-Morse Scout fighters along with other period aircraft such as one real Fokker D.VII and the ubiquitous Travelair "Wichita Fokkers" were featured in the aerial sequences.[10] [N 2] Principal photography took place primarily at California airport locales. Hollywood stunt pilot Paul Mantz was involved in both flying and directing the aerial filming.[11]

Buhl LA-1 Pup representing early monoplane design (screenshot, note the color)

Aircraft used in the film

[edit]

Men with Wings chronicles the "Golden Era" of aviation (1903–1938), featuring a number of significant aircraft in the production, including:[11]

Reception

[edit]

Men with Wings received good reviews from critics and audience alike. Variety noted the film "is a giant bomber from the Paramount hangar, designed on a lavish scale by the skilled air picture mechanic, William A. Wellman, and polished off beautifully in Technicolor. The action scenes, including a dog fight in the air, are exceptionally impressive.[12] Men with Wings was considered an aviation classic, "one of the best pre-war flight films, true to life, and done without replicas ... A buff's dream."[11] The juxtaposing of a love interest, however, was jarring, with critics commenting on that plotline being forced.[13]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The Technicolor three-strip process was advertised as "Glorious Technicolor".[6]
  2. ^ Lafayette Escadrille used footage from Men with Wings with the color removed. The later 1958 feature was also directed by Wellman and is far inferior in every respect to Men with Wings.[5]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ Charles Tranberg, Fred MacMurray: A Biography, Bear Manor Media, 2014
  2. ^ "NEWS OF THE SCREEN: Three Stunt Fliers Signed for Parts in Paramount's 'Men With Wings'--New Films Open Here Today". New York Times. Oct 12, 1937. p. 31.
  3. ^ "Top Films and Stars". Variety. 4 January 1939. p. 10. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  4. ^ Cohn, Lawrence (October 15, 1990). "All-Time Film Rental Champs". Variety. p. M-172. ISSN 0042-2738.
  5. ^ a b "Notes: Men with Wings (1938)." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved: March 14, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Bruce, Elyse. "In Glorious Technicolor." Historically Speaking, November 25, 2010. Retrieved: March 15, 2012.
  7. ^ Wellman 1918, p. 1.
  8. ^ Curtiss, Thomas Quinn. "The Film Career of William Wellman." International Herald Tribune (iht.com), February 9, 1994. Retrieved: March 12, 2012.
  9. ^ Silke 1980, p. 57.
  10. ^ Parish 1990, p. 245.
  11. ^ a b c Hardwick and Schnepf 1989, p. 59.
  12. ^ "Men with Wings." Variety, 1938. Retrieved: March 15, 2012.
  13. ^ Thompson 1983, p. 176.

References

[edit]
  • Hardwick, Jack and Ed Schnepf. "A Viewer's Guide to Aviation Movies". The Making of the Great Aviation Films, General Aviation Series, Volume 2, 1989.
  • Parish, James Robert. The Great Combat Pictures: Twentieth-Century Warfare on the Screen. Metuchen, New Jersey: The Scarecrow Press, 1990. ISBN 978-0810823150.
  • Silke, James R. "Fists, Dames & Wings." Air Progress Aviation Review, Volume 4, No. 4, October 1980.
  • Thompson, Frank T. William A. Wellman (Filmmakers Series). Metuchen, New Jersey: Scarecrow Press, 1983. ISBN 0-8108-1594-X.
  • Wellman, William A. Go, Get 'em! The True Adventures of an American Aviator of the Lafayette Flying Corps. Boston: The Page Company, 1918.
  • Wellman, William A. A Short Time for Insanity: An Autobiography. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1974. ISBN 0-8015-6804-8.
  • Wellman, William Jr. The Man And His Wings: William A. Wellman and the Making of the First Best Picture. New York: Praeger Publishers, 2006. ISBN 0-275-98541-5.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Men with Wings.
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