ID

FBW001095      Fiction

Country / Year

USA, 1941

Original Title

International Squadron

Directed by

Lothar Mendes

Produced by

Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., Burbank, CA / New York, NY

Staff

Producer: Edmund Grainger; Script: Barry Trivers, Kenneth Gamet; Based on: Frank Wead (based on the play "Ceiling Zero"); Camera: James Van Trees, Ted McCord; Editing: Frank McGee; Special Effects: Robert Burks

Cast

Ronald Reagan (Jimmy Grant); James Stephenson (Charles Wyatt); Olympe Bradna (Jeanette); William Lundigan (Lt. Reg Wilkins); Joan Perry (Connie); Julie Bishop (Mary); Tod Andrews (Michele Edme); Cliff Edwards (Omaha McGrath); John Ridgely (Bill Torrence); Selmer Jackson (Saunders); Addison Richards (Chief); Holmes Herbert (Sir Basil Wryxton); Eddie Conrad (Greek Waiter); Crauford Kent (Maj. Fresney); Richard Travis (Radio Operator); William Hopper (Radio Operator); Frank Faylen (Process Server); Marjorie Whatley (Girl); Shirley Coates (Girl); Jean Ames (Blonde); Ann Edmonds (French Girl); Gerald Gavin (Officer); Marten Lamont (Officer); Tom Stevenson (Officer); Tom Skinner (Officer); Helmut Dantine (Flyer); Ernest Lenart (Flyer); John Meredith (Flyer); Knud Kreuger (Flyer); Ivan Molnar (Flyer); Doris Lloyd (Mother); Brenda Henderson (Child); Frank Baker (Warden); Leyland Hodgson (Warden); Ottola Nesmith (Mrs. Harris); Harry Lewis (Pilot); Leslie Denison (Ground Chief); Fred Giermann (German); Henry Rowland (German); Pat O'Hara (Instructor); David Thursby (Instructor); Cyril Thornton (Instructor); Hugh Huntley (Instructor)

Length

85'

Format

35mm/sw/1:1,37

Abstract

Jimmy Grant is a stunt pilot who is delivering a bomber to the RAF. Upon his arrival, he meets his old commander, Charles Wyatt, and old flying buddy, Lt. Reg Wilkins. They have joined the RAF and try to persuade Grant to do the same. He refuses as he's too much of a playboy. But that night when the Nazis bomb London in an air raid, Grant sees a child killed. The youth's death causes a change in the flyer, and he decides to fight the Nazis. Still unable to control his cavalier ways, he flirts with Jeanette, causing him to miss a patrol mission in which a substitute pilot is killed. Stunned by the death, Grant sees the error of his ways and decides to atone for his friend's death by bumping a buddy from a dangerous bombing mission. Grant takes on a group of German fighter planes, shooting them down but dying in a fiery death.

Subject Terms

Anti-Nazi films (US)

Bibliography

- Nash, Ray R. / Ross, Stanley R. / Conelly, Robert B. (Ed.): Motion Picture Guide. Chicago, IL: Cinebooks, 1987