20 Jan Flying Leathernecks
I know how tough it is to make a decision like that. You’re going to wind up staggering into your bunk every night … and you’ll lay there and look at the ceiling while your stomach turns over and you hope to God you called every shot right during the day. And the next morning you’ll wake up, wish you were a Flight Lieutenant again, so all you’d have to do is what the man told you. (John Wayne to Robert Ryan.)
Flying Leathernecks, WWII Movie starring John Wayne and Robert Ryan
(1951) “Dedicated to the United States Marine Corps, and especially to Marine aviation …” reads the introduction to the movie. The Marine pilots are reinforcing the Marines on the group at Guadalcanal.
The story revolves around the conflict between the stern, no-nonsense Kirby(John Wayne) and his more lenient executive officer (Robert Ryan.) Ryan eventually learns how tough it is to be in command.
Lots of airplane action. Halfway through I was hooked. Again, it was interesting to watch the fighter pilots operate. Like the bomber crews, they just jumped into their planes and took off knowing full well they wouldn’t all return.
Flying Leathernecks on amazon.com
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