CAPTAINS OF THE CLOUDS

US, 1942, 114 minutes, Colour.
James Cagney, Dennis Morgan, Brenda Marshall, Alan Hale, George Tobias, Reginald Gardiner.
Directed by Michael Curtiz.

Captains of the Clouds was in production in 1941, in the year following the rescue of the British troops at Dunkirk in 1940. The latter part of the film and action was inspired by Churchill’s famous speech (which, of course, was new and fresh and perhaps not much heard of in the US at the time). The speech is given at the end of the film – as an inspiration for the bush pilots of Canada to join the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The film was released just over two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

James Cagney appears as a cheeky bush pilot, disliked by the other pilots because he nabbed their jobs. It is a typical Cagney performance, he struts as usual, is cheeky as usual, tries to do the right thing by people but of course is misunderstood – but also causes death and injury to some of his friends. The issue is the loner versus the collaborator and the obeyer of rules. It is something like his performance in The Fighting 69th of the year before. Dennis Morgan, often a star in musicals, is the genial hero. Brenda Marshall is the romantic interest – but, contrary to expectation, is more of a vamp. There is engaging support from Alan Hale, George Tobias and Reginald Gardiner, also pilots.

The film is almost two for the price of one. The first hour takes place in the outback of Canada, the bush pilots and their missions to remote outposts. The rivalry between the pilots is also emphasised. The second part of the film is about World War Two, the speech from Churchill, the enlistment, the bush pilots being too old but being taken on as instructors, Cagney as the perennial rebel. The film ends with his heroism as planes are flown from Canada to join the British effort in the war.

The film is of its period – but offers an interesting insight into the way that Canada was seen at the time, and how World War Two was considered in 1941 – four years before the end of the war. The film also has a great number of planes – which will please aficionados of the history of flying.

1. An interesting and entertaining film? Of its period? The war effort? In retrospect?

2. The Canadian settings, the lakes and the remote areas? The city of Ottawa? The hotel? The military and air force officers? The flight sequences? An authentic feel? The bright Technicolor? The musical score, the title song and its use? The group singing in the hotel? The Warner Bros cast?

3. The title? Admiration for flyers? The early decades of aviation? The picturing of the planes, for the bush pilots? For the air force? Seeing them flying, formation? Travelling to England?

4. The first part of the film, the establishing of life in Canada? The outpost, the father and Emily? The Indians? The flights in, Brian MacLean? and his taking the jobs? The reaction of the group? The antagonism? Emily, engaged to Johnny, attracted by Brian? Brian and his injuries? Johnny flying to get the doctor? Brian not realising what Johnny had done, Emily making it clear to him? Yet Brian nevertheless outdoing Johnny? His realisation that Emily wanted to get out, wanted the high life? Trying to warn Johnny?

5. The jobs, Johnny’s aim and establishing an air service? The money? Brian and his marrying Emily? Leaving her? Making her realise she was no good for Johnny? Johnny upset, joining the air force? The rest of the group, hanging around, drinking?

6. Churchill’s speech – well known in later decades but the impact here? The effect on the group, their going to enlist?

7. The second part of the film, the war story? The interviews, wanting to enlist? The speeches, pilots under twenty-six? Their reactions? Their being invited to be trainers?

8. The training exercises? Brian and his resentment, the loner? Taking the co-pilot up, the bomb, his dive, the injuries? His court-martial? His being cashiered? His sitting around and drinking? His second stunt during the graduation, Tiny’s death?

9. The personalities of the group, Tiny and his bluff Irish style, drinking? Blimp and his accent, the comic touch? Harris, the Englishman? Blimp and Harris being retained?

10. Brian, the encounters with Johnny? Johnny meeting Emily, her explaining what had happened? Johnny appreciating what Brian had done, their final talk?

11. Brian, taking Tiny’s identity? The flight to England? The attack by the Germans, Brian and his risks, crashing the plane, his heroism and death?

12. The patriotic ending of the film, the planes flying to England – for a 1942 audience, especially Americans who had just entered the war?