FLYING FORTRESS



UK/US, 1942 60 minutes, Black and white.
Richard Greene, Carla Lehman, Betty Stockfeld, Donald Stewart, Basil Radford, Sydney King.
Directed by Walter Forde.


Flying Fortress is a film of historical interest. It was one of a number of films made by Warner Brothers at Teddington Studios in London during World War II to, American focus stories which served as propaganda in the United States for participation in the war as well as morale boosting stories for a British audience. They were small budget, featured some American actors as well as a local cast.

This film focuses on flyers, an arrogant wealthy socialite played by Richard Greene, and a down-to-earth pilot played by Donald Stewart. Stewart is blamed for a crash for which he was not responsible and loses his licence. His journalist sister, Carla Lehman, tries to trap Greene but is unmasked.

Both men volunteer to transport the new American planes, flying Fortress, to Britain, clash, become friends, decide to join the RAF in Canada, are billeted in England where Greene and Lehman bury their differences and Stewart immediately dates a driver who turns out to be aristocracy and her seemingly feeble brother who turns out to be their Wing Commander raid on Berlin.

This means that there can be some action, some comedy, some romance, and, especially, a criticism of the brash Americans and their intrusion on the stiff-upper-lip British as well as some tongue-in-cheek pokes at British manners.

The climax is the raid on Berlin, with some actual action footage as well as reconstruction of the dropping the bombs on and electricity plant. There are also some heroics as Greene goes outside the planned to do some repairs for a safe landing

Supporting feature but one which indicates the movie atmosphere of the times and the need for propaganda films.