Summary
When the Great War breaks out, brothers Roy and Monte Rutledge, each attending Oxford University, enlist with the Royal Flying Corps.
Cast
Ben Lyon
Monte Rutledge
James Hall
Roy Rutledge
Jean Harlow
Helen
John Darrow
Karl Armstedt
Lucien Prival
Baron Von Kranz
Frank Clarke
Lt. von Bruen
Roy Wilson
Baldy Maloney
Douglas Gilmore
Capt. Redfield
Jane Winton
Baroness Von Kranz
Evelyn Hall
Lady Randolph
William B. Davidson
Staff Major
Wyndham Standing
RFC Squadron Commander
Lena Malena
Gretchen the Waitress
Marian Marsh
Girl Selling Kisses
Carl von Haartman
Zeppelin Commander
Ferdinand Schumann-Heink
First Officer of Zeppelin
Stephen Carr
Elliott
Thomas Carr
Pilot
J. Granville-Davis
Pilot
Nora Cecil
Helen's Maid (uncredited)
Rene Marvelle
French Girl (uncredited)
Georgette Rhodes
French Girl (uncredited)
Howard Batt
Minor Role (uncredited)
George Berliner
Bit Role (uncredited)
Bob Blair
Bit Role (uncredited)
Eddie Brownell
Bit Role (uncredited)
Hank Coffin
Pilot (uncredited)
Ross Cooke
Pilot (uncredited)
Lawford Davidson
British Officer Shot by Firing Squad (uncredited)
Jack Deery
Splashed Officer (uncredited)
Lucy Doraine
Bit Role (uncredited)
David Findlay
Bit Role (uncredited)
Curt Furberg
Bit Role (uncredited)
Frank Goddard
Bit Role (uncredited)
Lisa Gora
Bit Role (uncredited)
Douglas Gordon
Bit Role (uncredited)
Owen Gorin
Bit Role (uncredited)
Pat Harmon
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
Hans Joby
Von Schlieben (uncredited)
Al Johnson
Pilot (uncredited)
Morey Johnson
Minor Role (uncredited)
Werner Klingler
Bit Role (uncredited)
Burton Lane
Bit Role (uncredited)
Al Lary
Minor Role (uncredited)
Garland Lincoln
Bit Role (uncredited)
Harry Lipman
Bit Role (uncredited)
Maurice Murphy
Pilot (uncredited)
Stewart Murphy
Pilot (uncredited)
Leo Nomis
Pilot (uncredited)
Ira Reed
Pilot (uncredited)
Harry Semels
Anarchist (uncredited)
Ernie Smith
Bit Role (uncredited)
Pat Somerset
Marryat (uncredited)
Joan Standing
Roy's Dancing Partner (uncredited)
Harry Strang
Bit Role (uncredited)
C.F. Sullivan
Pilot (uncredited)
Gertrude Sutton
Canteen Worker (uncredited)
Frank Tomick
Pilot (uncredited)
Roscoe Turner
Pilot (uncredited)
Wilhelm von Brincken
Von Richter (uncredited)
Tibor von Janny
Bit Role (uncredited)
Al Wilson
Pilot (uncredited)
Crew
Director
Howard Hughes
Adaptation
Harry Behn
Adaptation
Howard Estabrook
Dialogue, Story
Joseph Moncure March
Story
Marshall Neilan
Reviews
Geronimo1967
February 12, 2024
7
"Roy" (James Hall) and his brother "Monte" (Ben Lyon) are pretty much joined at the hip with the former frequently having to bail his rather wayward brother out of the stew now and again. He even has to fight a duel for him! Anyway, they both join the Royal Flying Corps just ahead of the Great War and both volunteer for an highly dangerous mission over occupied territory. Meantime, "Roy" is dating the rather fickle but candid "Helen" (Jean Harlow) who is also not averse to a bit of a dalliance with "Monte". The rather rakish brother gradually realises that his brother deserves better, and so - quite possibly when she seeks comfort elsewhere, might he! Their mission looms and pretty soon the boys are being pursued by the ruthless squadron known as "Von Richthofen's Flying Circus" in a race to get back home. As the scale of this conflict grows, it becomes more personal. They find themselves on the opposing side to their student friend "Karl" (John Darrow) who has his own covert task in a zeppelin. Though the acting here isn't the best, what does hit home is the way these characters become faced with a sudden need to grow up, to mature, and to be prepared to make sacrifices. That story itself is not so very original. What does make this really stand out is the standard of aerial photography and the whole aesthetic of this film. The dogfights are astonishing to watch unfold. The camerawork really does immerse the audience in the skills of these young and largely inexperienced pilots flying - quite literally - heavily armoured but flimsy wooden crates with engines. If they were damaged then they had virtually no hope of survival. The film does imbue a sense of the precariousness of the existence of the young men and when it steers clear of the melodrama is, at times, really quite exciting to watch.
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$3,950,000.00
Revenue:
$8,000,000.00
