BLAZE OF NOON

US, 1947, 91 minutes, Black and white.
William Holden, Anne Baxter, Sonny Tufts, Sterling Hayden, William Bendix, Howard da Silva.
Directed by John Farrow.

Blaze of Noon is an aviation drama written by Frank Wead whose life was dramatised with John Wayne in Wings of the Eagle. The film was directed by John Farrow who directed many action films at Paramount during the mid '40s. The film has a good cast, often better than their material. The film pays tribute to the aviation pioneers in airmail flights of 20 years earlier. The film is a blend of romance, good humour and ultimate tragedy. The film reflects America's love for aviation.

1. An entertaining film? The 1920s? American family? The air mall? The pioneer aviators?

2. Black and white photography, aerial sequences? A piece of Americana?

3. The title and the quotation about the early airmail pilots and their bringing the mail through by night, by day and in the blaze of noon? The film as a memoir and tribute?

4. The Mc Donald brothers, their background, abilities as pilots? Their work in the carnival? The visualising of their stunts? The decisions to move on? interest in the airmail services? Their work, skills, accidents?, Their contribution to a developing industry of the '20s.

5. Colin as the central character? His skill as a pilot? moving away from the carnival? His brother's reactions? His friendship with Poppy (and her later turning up)? The discussions with Gafferty? All the brothers joining him? The interview with Lucille and his proposal, marriage? The happiness of the marriage? Work, good fellowship? The visit of Poppy and Lucille wanting him to see her? The birth of the baby? The developments in radio? His staying with flying? The final flight, his radio message of love to Lucille? The pathos of his death? Living on in his son?

6. The other brothers and their friendliness, good fellowship? Roland and his training of his brothers? Making decisions? His skill as a pilot? His moving to car salesmanship? Return to flying? Tad and his skills, the clashes with Lucille and yet his love for her? The reconciliation? His accident? Hospital? The support of Lucille? His work in radio despite his injured leg? Keith and his youthfulness, enthusiasm, the spirit of the family, his crash?

7. Gafferty and the mail, his work with his men, authorities? Hire and fire? Porky? The developments in the industry, radio? Breaking the news to Lucille?

8. Porky as a pilot, his daredevil acts, getting into trouble, friendliness, being sacked, rehired?

9. Poppy as the carnival girl making good on Broadway? Making a pitch for Colin?

10. The predictable elements in the plot? tragedies? Relationships, achievement?