“Danger Flight” (1939)

Danger Flight

Also known as Scouts of the Air

Brief Description:

Tailspin Tommy is doing his best to keep Whitey Lewis on the straight and narrow. Whitey’s big brother Mike is determined to get Whitey to help him in his criminal activities—by fair means or foul. When Tommy makes a rash decision to fly in the storm of the century, the consequences are far greater and grimmer than he ever dreamed. Will Whitey ever be straightened out? Or has Tailspin Tommy met his match—and his end? 

(written by me)

Date: 1939

Genre: British action adventure 

Running time: 1 hour

Cast: 

John Trent (Tailspin Tommy Tompkins)

Marjorie Reynolds (Betty Lou)

Milburn Stone (Skeeter)

Jason Robards Sr. (Paul Smith)

Tommy Baker (Whitey Lewis)

Dennis Moore (Mike)

Julius Tannen as (Dawson)

Eddie Parker as (Williams)

Joseph E. Bernard (Brown)

Harry Harvey Jr. (Johnny)

Walter Wills (Cap)

Forrest Taylor (Police Radio Dispatcher)

Director: Howard Bretherton

Production company: Monogram Pictures

Based on: The Tailspin Tommy comic strip by Hal Forrest & Glenn Chaffin

Wikipedia page

Watch on Archive

(watched on Tubi)

Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 5/5

Ooookay. We all know I adore the 1930s and 1940s hero pilots trope. Well, here’s a film all about that. The whole film takes part mostly in the airfield and partly in an abandoned cabin, giving me strong On the Edge of the Fjord  and The Tangled Skein feels! Favourite books of mine, so a definite bonus in my book. Also it felt super vintage and really brought to life the flying conditions and practises of the mid-1900s.  

Characters: 5/5

Tailspin Tommy is the quintessential hero airman—gentlemanly, daring, great with kids, handsome, and moral, a great pilot—yet still messing up! (Unique and quite interesting.) Betty Lou was a sweet girl and I liked how un-flirtatious she was! Skeeter was a great sidekick. Whitey was a great kid, and I really liked him. Mike was pretty awful, and so were his companions. 

Plot: 5/5

So I adore films about hero guys helping out kids and using their influence for good. And here it was. There was plenty of action with the crash and the kidnapping… yeah, that’s about all I’ll say. But it’s great. ;) 

Romance: 5/5

Super tiny thread of romance but super cute :) 

Theme/Message/Topics: 5/5

Very simple, unstated theme, but basically, redemption, admitting to your mistakes, giving second chances, and helping kids to go straight. 

Content: 5/5 (low)

One cheek kiss. 

Violence: 5/5 (low)

Fistfights, pistol-whipping, the usual vintage male action. ;P 

Overall: 5/5

Such a simple, sweet, exciting film! I thoroughly loved it and I can’t wait to watch the three other Tailspin Tommy films.