07 Apr The McConnell Story
(1955) Alan Ladd stars as Air Force pilot Joseph C. “Mac” McConnell, a World War II navigator who went on to become a decorated fighter pilot during the Korea War, American’s first triple jet ace. Captain McConnell was tragically killed in 1954 while testing a new fighter-bomber. This movie was in pre-production
I watched and finished The McConnell Story primarily because of Alan Ladd and June Allyson, the actress who played his wife. Neither actor strayed outside what would be expected. He was serious and steady, even when getting into trouble. TCM host Ben Mankiewicz explained that “Ladd never once left the ground during the making of the film because he was terribly afraid of flying.”
And Ms. Allyson (actually Mrs. Dick Powell at the time) was always adoring. Her role was reminiscent of the one she played a year earlier, as the wife of bandleader Glenn Miller in The Glenn Miller Story.
According to Allyson’s autobiography, she and Ladd were having an affair during the filming so the adoration was real.
In one of the best scenes in the film, their hometown neighbors presented them with the gift of a brand new home! This was true … they lived in the town of Apple Valley, California, also the home of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
The movie was in script development when Captain McConnell died in the plane crash. The excellent flying scenes and that it is a tribute to this American hero are the best reasons to watch The McConnell Story.
The McConnell Story at amazon.com
No Comments