21 Jun Flight Command
Flight Command, WWII movie starring Robert Taylor and Walter Pidgeon
(1940) A new Navy pilot who joins the “Hellcats” squadron at Pensacola, Florida has to fly through hoops in order to gain the respect of his mates.
When Flight Command came out Europe was at war but we were not. Yet. I’m sure this movie motivated a lot of young men to want to be pilots.
The new pilot was played by popular and handsome Robert Taylor who also starred in one of my favorite movies with Vivien Leigh … Waterloo Bridge. It was released earlier in 1940. By the time Taylor got to the set of this one, the good scripts had obviously run out.
The most memorable role was played by Red Skelton. It was only his second full-length film (according to Wikipedia) and soon his career as a comedic actor would soar.
Flight Command was nominated for an Oscar for Best Special Effects. I have to agree with the Academy about the flying sequences. They were the best part of the film.
According to theTCM Article, as preparation for this role, Robert Taylor took flying lessons. He became so obsessed that MGM encouraged him to see a psychiatrist. When the United States entered the war, Taylor actually did join the Navy Air Corps and served as a flying instructor.
And that was the most interesting part of the story.
Flight Command (Remastered) at amazon.com
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