At Portland, Oregon, playboy pilot Len Kendrick lands at the end of a cross-country record flight, met by his father J.P. Kendrick who owns Amalgamated Air Lines. Len is a media darling, adored by fans for his daring flights. He is in love with Amalgamated stewardess Kay Armstrong who is dating veteran pilot "Wad" Madison. Len dates her sister Penny who learns that his hard-drinking and recklessness has caused the death of his co-pilot. Penny knows that he was drinking before the fateful flight and only escaped prosecution by bribing a bartender. She leaves Len who ends up at Amalgamated as a line pilot, being tutored by Wad.
Acting
Vinton Hayworth's slimy charm as the unrepentant playboy pilot.
Production
Authentic 1930s aviation footage and cramped cockpit realism.
Writing
Pre-Code bluntness about drinking, bribery, and death.
Director
Lew Landers
Sally Eilers
Kay Armstrong
Robert Armstrong
Wad. Madison
Charley Grapewin
J.P. Kendrick
Vinton Hayworth
Len Kendrick
Ward Bond
Tim Casey
May Boley
Mrs. Maddy Overhose
Arthur Loft
Air Controller Calkins
Walter Miller
Commerce Airline Inspector
Hooper Atchley
Worried Man Awaiting Salt Lake Flight
Edith Craig
Worried Lady Awaiting Salt Lake Flight
Alan Curtis
Co-Pilot
Robert Frazer
CCC Camp Supervisor
Grace Hayle
Fat Lady at Airport
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ward Bond appears briefly as mechanic Tim Casey — sixteen years before his iconic role in The Searchers.
This was one of the last films released before the Hays Code fully clamped down, letting drunken pilots and bribery plots slide.
US
