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Dive Bomber [1941]
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A dramatic story of aviation and medicine from "Spig" Wead
Review date: 2005-04-11 Rating: 8 out of 10
Warner Brothers 1941 "Dive Bomber" was one of the best aviation films of its day and the credit belongs not so much to director Michael Curtiz as it does to Frank Wead, who wrote the screenplay with Robert Buckner from his original story. "Spig" Wead had been a Commander in the U.S. Navy, credited with starting the Navy's flying program until he was partially crippled in an accident at home. Wead's story was told in John Ford's 1957 "The Wings of Eagles" with John Wayne playing the part. Errol Flynn stars as Dr. Doug Lee, who decides to devote himself to aviation medicine after an injured pilot dies during surgery. Working with test pilot Joe Blake (Fred MacMurray), Lee tries to find a solution to what is then called "Aviation Sickness." The best sequences in the film take place in the air, as they should since the film was made with the assistance of the Navy, although some credit needs to be given to the first rate photography as well. Even the laboratory sequences have a certain sense of drama. Flynn is his usual dashing self, even though he leaves most of the flying to MacMurray and Ralph Bellamy. I can never get used to see an angry, bitter MacMurray having first encountered him as Steve Douglas on "My Three Sons," but, of course, the actor made his mark in the film noir classic "Double Indemnity." In the end "Dive Bomber" is a solid inspirational film that tells the true story of men who risked their lives to gain new medical knowledge and even the Hollywood elements, such as a young Alexis Smith as Linda Fisher, do not detract from the vivid flying sequences. Even without an actual war going on, this is an above-average action film for the time right before the United States entered World War II. This is "Spig" Wead's second best script after "They Were Expendable."
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Robert Armstrong
Fred MacMurray
Ralph Bellamy
Errol Flynn
Alexis Smith
Creators:
Errol Flynn (Primary Contributor)
Fred MacMurray (Primary Contributor)
Bert Glennon (Cinematographer)
Winton C. Hoch (Cinematographer)
George Amy (Editor)
Hal B. Wallis (Producer)
Robert Lord (Producer)
Frank Wead (Writer)
Robert Buckner (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900659154
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-05-02
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 127 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1941-08-30
Language: English (Original Language)