A YANK IN THE RAF
US, 1941, 98 minutes, Black and white.
Tyrone Power, Betty Grable, John Sutton, Reginald Gardiner.
Directed by Henry King.
A Yank In The RAF is a pleasant piece of American war propaganda dating from the beginning of World War Two and American involvement. It is a star vehicle for Tyrone Power - although his character is not sympathetic. It is also a star vehicle for Betty Grable who, in fact, is quite sympathetic. John Sutton and Reginald Gardiner are suitors for Betty's attention.
The film is the conventional war story - the tough pilot who brings planes from Canada to Britain and is involved in active service. He is also a ladies' man. The heroine is also in service - but is able to do musical numbers, quite lavishly staged, at night. There are two British suitors - stiff supper lip types who have to give way to Tyrone Power at the end. Direction is by Henry King (who worked with Power in quite a number of films). The film re-creates the atmosphere of England during World War Two -,recaptured in later films like Hanover Street and Yanks.
1. Entertaining war propaganda film? Romance? Impact in its time? In retrospect?
2. Black and white photography. the atmosphere of England? The action sequences.- their staging, editing? Musical score? Popular romantic songs? The stage songs?
3. The irony of the title - and the link between U.S. and Britain? For morale purposes?
4. Tim as hero, callow, his taking the planes to England. the encounter with Carol, his fickle attitudes, special pleading and her believing him, enlisting in the RAF, casual about training, the clashes with John and Roger, the mission, the crash-landing in Holland, the encounter with the Germans, the escape, his illness, pretending for Carol's sympathy? her finally choosing him?
5. Carol and Betty Grable's style, the American patriot, angry at Tim, attracted by John, going to the country, always falling back to Tim? Her musical numbers?
6. John and Roger as the typical British. gallant in action, ironic in tone, stepping back-for Carol?
7. The conventional material: the war service. the British homes, the musical numbers? The expected dilemmas?
8. A pleasant piece of war propaganda?
