Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Movie review - "Aerial Gunner" (1943) *** (warning: spoilers)

More two fisted antics from Pine-Thomas with Richard Arlen and Chester Morris as rivals (Arlen was a cop who Morris thinks hounded the latter's crim father to suicide) who wind up in the same aerial gunner crew. That's good solid conflict - I think it works better than in Wrecking Crew where they were basically mates.

Of course they also both like the same girl, Lita Ward - who isn't much (not as good as Jean Parker) but whose part isn't very big. Writer Maxwell Shane at least gives her something to do - she's the sister of Jimmy Lydon (who was in the Harry Aldrich films over at Paramount)... and Lydon cracks up during training and later dies trying to prove his bravery.

The film is well done - decent acting, Arlen and Morris are believably tough. It's helped by location filming at a real life aerial gunnery school in Texas - and also the seriousness of the story and the situation (Lydon dies, Morris dies).

I really liked seeing Bob Mitchum in a small role - he has a few lines too even though he isn't credited. It's a strong film. Great finale with Morris blasting away against the Japanese on a deserted island.

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