A movie full of legends, in their own way - directed by Aussie John Farrow, co-written by Spig Wead (the paraplegic former naval aviator whose life was immortalised by John Ford), from a novel by Ernest Gann (perhaps the most famous aeroplane author of all time), a cast including William Holden, Sonny Tufts, Anne Baxter and Sterling Hayden. Imagine the stories around the commissary during lunchtime.
Holden, Tufts, Hayden and Johnny someone are brothers who go from barnstorming in the 1920s to an airmail service. Much story time is taken up with Holden's pursuit of Anne Baxter, which leads to inevitable "why are you never home" scenes. Because it's a John Farrow film there's a likeable priest, who encourages Anne Baxter to marry William Holden.
It's not terribly interesting drama, very much overshadowed by Only Angels Have Wings - Baxter feels neglected, various brothers crash, terrible risks are taken. You'd think four brothers would be enough for drama but they add William Bendix as another flier (why not make him one of the brothers?). William Holden is okay but probably not experienced enough in a role seemingly meant for Alan Ladd. Hayden does okay as a tough guy who falls for Baxter and Sonny Tufts gets to play a big drunk scene after one of his brothers dies and doesn't do too badly.
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