TEST PILOT

US, 1938, 118 minutes, Black and white.
Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Samuel S. Hinds, Marjorie Main, Gloria Holden.
Directed by Victor Fleming.

Test Pilot is one of many movies about aviation in the '30s. Howard Hawks made several: Hell's Angels, Ceiling Zero, Only Angels Have Wings. The novelty of the development of planes and their use in warfare and in civil aviation was important at the time. This is a Clark Gable vehicle - he was teamed once again with Myrna Loy. Spencer Tracy is very good as the (somewhat artificial-seeming now) best friend. He did the same kind of role later in Boom Town (1941). Gable and Tracy both worked in many films with Victor Fleming e.g. Gable in Red Dust and Tracy in Tortilla Flat, Captains Courageous and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The film seems dated now but shows the popular teaming for star vehicles of the '30s.

1. A popular film of its time, interest in aviation, romance and personal drama? Impact in the '30s, now? On the eve of World War Two?

2. M.G.M. black and white photography, production values, gloss, special effects, the star teaming?

3. The introduction about aviation, safety and regulations? The development of planes, interest of the Air Force prior to World War Two? The pioneers, the daredevils? In love with the sky? Races, prizes?

4. Clark Gable as Jim - strong hero, champion, ladies' man, in love with the sky, enjoying danger? Gunner as his best friend? Understanding him, supporting him? The chance crash landing and the encounter with Ann? The enjoyable day? His change, coming back for her, the impulsive marriage? The interaction with Drake - his being fired, flying another plane? The death of Benson? His marriage to Ann, the visit with the landlady, the buying of the nightgown? Comic touches? His charity towards Benson's wife? The five-day celebration, Ann finding him? Her reconciliation and yet his lack of awareness? The importance of the range of tests, bailing out? The balance with the happy times with Ann and Gunner - at the carnival? Ann's courage? The importance of the flight to 30,000 feet, Gunner's death? His being with Gunner? Ann’s reaction, clash, Drake's help, change - and his work in training men?

5. Gunner - Spencer Tracy, the friend, work and skill, wisecracks, exasperation, money help? His ever-presence with the group - and his image of the three roads? Drinking, clashes? Support of Ann? The 30,000 feet test, his death and the bond with Jim?

6. Ann - the Kansas girl, her dreams , finding Jim, the outing and her fiance, exhilaration, eloping, marriage? The talk with the landlady, the shopping? Her love for Jim - the competition, anxiety? The five days and her fears? Knowledge about Mrs. Benson? Her decision to support him - the tension, her collapse? The happy ending?

7. Drake and the business managers, clashes with Jim, support of the Army, tests?

8. Benson and his flying, family, hopes, death - and not being good enough?

9. The tough man's world of the 1930s? Aviation as a man's testing ground?

10. A portrait of types - masculine-feminine relationships, work, comradeship, friendship and spirit? The warmth in human relationships, the need for success, challenge, career? Priorities? A pleasing - and somewhat idealised ~ picture of Americans in the '30s?