All language subtitles for Ladies.Courageous.1944

Get up, you guys. Last stop.

Boy, I'll never learn how to sleep in
one of these things.

Twelve hours straight through.

I haven't had such a good night's sleep
since I left Burma. On a wrap.

Hey, mister, this is it.

Good morning.

When did we pick her up? Oh, she got on
at Cincinnati during the night while you

were asleep.

What is she? She's a waft. What's a
waft? They're girl ferry pilots.

They call them the Women's Auxiliary
Ferrying Squadron. Why, sure. It's a

improvement we made while you were
overseas.

They are, Lieutenant.

Hiya, Joe.

B -17, huh? Didn't you take a B -24 the
last time? Yeah.

Hey, Snapper, how about lending me a
clean shirt?

My laundry's in India. I can't get it
till next week. Look, I'm not letting

guys have any more stuff.

I got shirts in Panama, I got socks in
Alaska, I got underwear all over the

South Pacific.

What am I wearing? Do I look crazy or
something?

Yeah, your papers are all right. Sign
down there.

Oh, illusions, huh? That's right, C -47.

Hmm, C -47.

Turn that into your squadron.

That'll be three days.

Oh, boy.

C -47.

Signed the book?

Yes, it's all right. May have been
duplicates.

Yeah, that's good enough for me. Just
sign it there.

Say, who's the CO here?

Colonel Brennan. Andy Brennan? That's
right.

There you are. That's two days late.
Yes, sir.

Where'd you go?

Australia. China.

Dutch Harbor. New Guinea.

Calcutta.

Egypt. South Africa.

Cincinnati.

South Africa.

How are you, beautiful?

Say, you've been doing all right lately.
How many ships this month?

About six.

That's good.

You know, you haven't had any leave in a
long while.

Maybe we could fix it for you. Oh, no
thanks, Snapper. I'd rather keep flying.

That's too bad.

What do you mean?

Oh, I don't know.

Maybe you should have come home
yesterday.

Oh, I couldn't, Snapper. There was
storms all along the line. The passage

closed.

Well, we had storms here, too. Everybody
was grounded. You know what that means?

No, what?

Nothing, only last night we had a party.
Me and a bunch of guys. Me and Alex

Anderson and... Nadine Shannon?

That's right.

something, don't you?

What?

Paralysis.

Good morning, Miss Bromley. Have a nice
trip?

Fine, thanks.

Hi, Dakota.

Anything new?

Oh, I just got a letter from my boy from
Tantagora.

He's got his wings.

Last VO2.

Dakota speaking.

No. No, she's not here.

But, Dakota, I am here. It wasn't for
you anyway.

Hasn't anyone called me since I... No
call from Lieutenant Anderson.

Hello, Jill. How is everything in
Cincinnati?

Okay. How'd you get back? Picked up a C
-47 in Wichita. Well, here I go again.

Same thing every day.

Good morning, my little plum.

Oh, shut up. That Nadine, such charm.

Going to sleep all day? No, only a
couple of hours. I want to catch the

compass class at 8 .30.

Happy dreams.

Hey, get those peepers open.

Certain brass hats who aren't convinced
that women should accept equal

responsibility with men in the Air
Forces.

Why, in six months' time, we've gone
from primary trainers to multi -engine

ships.

Isn't that accepting responsibility?

Individually, the WACs have done
splendidly. But the question is, how

act in an emergency as a group?

We have no way of knowing that. But I
can vouch for that, Colonel Brennan.

I've seen an assorted group of girls...

Come from every walk of life and work
together under conditions that haven't

been easy.

But we came in on those terms. We didn't
ask to be spared anything.

We could have gone into defense plans or
continued to be flying instructors or

done any number of war jobs.

But don't you see, we wanted to be part
of the army.

We wanted to do men's work so that other
pilots could be released for combat

duty.

Now, if we haven't accomplished that,
what good are we?

You don't have to convince me, Mrs.
Harper.

I have my orders, too.

All the floppy and weak -minded, shilly
-shallying fence sinners.

What's eating you? Go ahead, go ahead,
all of you. You've been knocked down and

trampled upon.

I couldn't sleep a wink last night
thinking about it. Has anybody seen the

famous Virgie Alford soapbox?

Appreciate a little mouse, aren't you?

If I didn't go around screaming my head
off, you'd still be puttering around in

pretty little trainers. But we have been
given a chance.

Your sister Roberta and Colonel Brennan
made the original plans for us to change

from one type of aircraft to another. My
sister Roberta and Colonel Brennan. But

whose idea was it? Roberta's and Colonel
Brennan's. Colonel Brennan. He's

supposed to be our friend, isn't he?
He's supposed to have so much faith in

Then why aren't we militarized into the
Army Air Forces like the other pilots?

We've been ferrying ships for six months
doing the same job as the men. We're

still civilians.

But that isn't up to the CO. And
besides, a couple of years ago, only a

of the men were ferrying ships.

We're only 25, Waps. We're just getting
started.

And, Virgie, things can't happen
overnight.

You don't even know you're a lot of
forgotten women.

Why can't she remember that she's not on
an international hookup anymore?

Roberta just forwarded your orders.

Rosemary, Nancy, Jane, and Connie,
you're on standby. Better get over to

alert room.

Hey, wait!

I'll get her. The rest of you better
even go to school. Quick.

Hey, Connie, you're on standby.

Huh? Turn it off.

You're on stand... You're on standby.

Oh, gee, that's... Well, maybe I'll be
able to keep my date in Dallas.

Well, come on, get going. Hey, my robe.
Where's the... Somebody's wiped my robe.

Oh, I'm going to be late.

Oh.

There must be at least 40 out in the
anchorage. They weren't here yesterday.

wonder what's doing.

What about school this morning? Why all
the rush on giving us direction time?

Yeah, they only use that for overseas
hops.

New York's where we get off. Yeah.

Oh, Miss Van Cronk, please, have you
seen Mrs. Harbour? I've got something to

tell her, and it's terribly important.

I know, Genevieve. We haven't seen her
this morning.

Madeline, please give it back to me.

Writing love notes, huh?

Everything must be back on the beam
again. Please give it to me.

I want to get a load of this.

Alex, don't you see, darling?

If it's Nadine you care about and not
me, I've got to know where I stand.

I know we have... Jillian, I'm sorry.

I wouldn't butt into your affairs. I was
only kidding.

You and Alex married?

Nobody knows?

Attention, please. Radio operator Adams,
report to foreign operations.

Radio operator Adams, report to foreign
operations.

Stop that. You're making me nervous.

Oh, wait a minute. You better do
something about Jill Romilly. It looks

Alex has flown a coop. Oh, he has.

Well, that's all he'd be fit to fly if
it weren't for Jill. You don't even know

what I'm talking about.

Listen, Jill taught Alex how to fly. She
made him what he is today, and where's

his gratitude?

The West.

Tune in tomorrow.

May they all break their tender women's
hearts and go back to their waffle hands

and sewing machines.

Let me tell you something. Every one of
the girls had $500 soloing before they

even got into the West.

Roberta was flying when she was 16.

Jerry Vale was the greatest woman stunt
flyer in the country.

Jill, Connie, and the Templetons were at
air schools teaching dopes like you.

And there were boys in combat right now,
knocking off zeros and measurements

that never got a cub up the ground until
those girls came along and showed them

how.

Oh, wait a minute.

No woman could teach me to fly.

A woman taught you to walk, didn't she?

Roberta Harper, you have a long
-distance call in Colonel Brennan's

The folder is gone.

Yeah, but I still don't get it. How do
you know whether your station is ahead

you or behind you? Oh, look, I'll show
you. Snapper, you hold it.

Get a bearing and you turn 90 degrees to
it.

You mind when you get a change? There.

Well, gee, thanks, Snapper.

Increase your stations to the right. If
they decrease, it's to the left.

Cincinnati. Your letter to Alex?

Attagirl. Now you're getting the right
idea.

You're a swell dancer, Alex, but you
should really learn how to run. How

teaching me?

All right. Put a nickel in the jukebox.
That one.

Now, watch me.

Wait a minute. Don't take it so hard. I
know how you feel.

Maybe it's not as bad as you think.

Why don't you try and forget it? Forget
what?

What's the big brain talking about now?

You remember what I've been trying to
tell you on the stairs about Alex and

Nadine? Well, what Jill ought to do
is... What you ought to do is mind your

business.

Now, wait a minute. Take it easy.

Look, Jill.

It's not going to do any good running
out on it.

Can't just sit here and watch.

Why don't you go over there and tell
them what you just... That's just the

thing to do.

Will you be quiet?

I'm only trying to help. Jill has a
problem.

And if you ask me, I think it's... Who's
asking you? Who do you think you are?

Mr. Anthony?

Go on, Jill. Go over there and tell them
exactly what you just said.

All right, I will. That's it.

Give me another nickel, Alex.

How about this number three? That pretty
good? Perfect.

Hello, Alex.

Hello, Jill.

You really should have been with us last
night, Jill.

A whole crowd of us got together and had
a lot of fun.

You and Alex haven't done much rumba
dancing, have you?

If you won't learn now, he certainly
isn't going to after you're married.

But we're...

You two talk

like a pair of backward idiots.

It's as plain as the nose on your face.

What's plain about it? I suppose you've
got a front room on the top floor in

Eisenhower's head.

Your attitude is completely
kindergarten.

Now, look.

Here's the terrain.

That's enough.

Look out.

Mrs. Harper.

Lieutenant Brinker.

Lieutenant Brevoort.

Lieutenant Helms.

Mrs. Harper is squadron leader of the
WAFs. Oh, yes?

I had the great honor to meet your
husband, Major Hopper.

Well, Colonel Brennan told me about it.

How was he? I can only tell you that
during the fight with the Dutch East

Indies, we needed more men just like
him.

Oh, thank you.

I think he's pretty nice, too.

Hasn't anyone around here got any
imagination?

Here's Spain, here's the Pyrenees, and
there's the Rock of Gibraltar. Your

sister just came in.

It's perfectly simple. All you've got to
do is look at Chapter 6 in my book.

I think you gentlemen would be
interested to see how we handle

I'll see you on the line, Mrs. Harper.
Thank you, Colonel. Goodbye, gentlemen.

Goodbye. And that article was syndicated
all over the country. And later on,

when I was in Florida, I found that...
Excuse me. May I speak to you a moment?

Good night.

Someone was looking for you. Yes, I
know. I got the message.

Virgie, when are you going to grow up?

For all the places you've been and
everything you've done, it seems to me

know better than to act like a cheap
little show -off.

Was I? Yes, you were.

We're supposed to be inconspicuous.

There are a lot of people around this
base just boiling for the chance to say

that women don't belong here.

I don't care what they say.

I came here to ferry ships and not to
pour out tea in a drawing room. Just a

minute.

Is it asking too much to want you to
behave like a ferry pilot and a lady?

You know, Ma, sometimes you can be very
annoying.

Well, apparently not often enough.

Attention, please.

The following pilots will report to
control.

Civilian pilots Rosemary Keene, Nancy
Edwards, Jane Carr, Constance Foley.

Nancy, stop by operations for a minute,
will you? Mrs. Hope, will you do

something for me? Yes, Jane. Call Dan
and tell him I can't keep that date. All

right. Same number? Yes, same number.
Okay.

Ensign John Peters.

That's right.

And keep trying, operator.

192 from Army 656 ready for takeoff.
Army 656, your flight plan has been

approved. Cleared for takeoff.

They look very much at ease for the
first official trip in a C -47.

I wouldn't dare look excited, but they
are.

I remember how I felt when I flew my
first one.

That should be General Wade's plane.

He'd better get out there.

Why don't you join us? You haven't seen
General Wade since the laps were

organized. Thanks, I better not. I'm
expecting one of the girls in. All

Congratulations, sir. You really greased
in.

Oh, don't congratulate me, Colonel.

I was only the co -pilot.

There's the pilot.

Those girls are certainly forging ahead.

Well, one swallow doesn't make a summer.

Jerry!

Jerry, how was the trip?

All right. Well, I had no idea you'd be
coming in with General Wade.

Well, the General was in a hurry. We
were both going the same way, and he

offered to be my co -pilot.

Roberta, what time have you?

10 .30.

Jerry, I've got great news for you. I've
just found out that all the girls

passed their instrument test.

And since you were the first to get your
rating, I thought you ought to be the

first to know.

It's fine.

It's fine?

Well, Jerry, think of it.

It means that one of these days you
might be making an overseas trip.

Maybe.

Hello, Jerry.

Hi. Hey, how's the general? Do any
backseat driving?

See you today, Jerry.

Jerry, how about some coffee? Coffee?

Uh -huh.

Roberta, what time is it?

Just 11 o 'clock.

We hurry up, we make... Stop, Roberta.
My watch stopped.

Jerry, what's wrong?

Nothing, nothing. My watch just stopped,
that's all.

But it can't be that important.

What is it that upsets you so?

It stopped that day, too. What day?

Well, Roberta...

Go on.

My watch hasn't stopped since the day
Dad and the boys crashed at the

Minneapolis air meet.

I was late.

I didn't get to the field on time.
That's why they were killed.

Dad and Don and Pete had to go up
without me.

Had to try to make up for my not being
there.

With three ships instead of four.

Missing their queues and crashing.

That's how the flying veils ended,
Roberta.

I got to the field in time to see them
come down.

In flames, Roberta.

I watched them burn.

Jerry, stop thinking about it.

It happened, but it's over. It's all
finished. Everything's all right now.

No. No, it isn't.

I should have been with them, Roberta.

I'm living on borrowed time.

I haven't even a prayer.

There's one thing I don't understand.

If you feel this way about it, Jerry,
why did you bother to come back that

in Washington?

You have all received telegrams from the
commanding general of the Army Air

Forces. Now, you have received those
telegrams because you meet the high

requirements that are necessary for the
first group of women pilots to be

accepted by the Air Transport Command.

We will be known as the Women's
Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron and will be

to the Ferrying Division.

so that we may release men for combat
duty.

Well, a minute. We'll give each one of
you one of these application blanks, and

we'll do filling in just as quickly as
possible, and then bring it up here to

me.

Can I list my ex -husband as a
dependent? Boy, wait until my family

this. They'll be more thrilled than I
am. My brother joined the Air Corps last

week. What a kick he'll get out of this.
Now my whole family's in.

Bob's in the Navy, Bill's a Marine, and
I'll be attached to the Air Force. My

dad really put me up to this. He said,
girl or no girl, we'll have a pilot in

the family, and that's the reason why.

Now get off the street. Get a hold of
your chest.

Oh, excuse me. Come on now. Come here,
good guy. Come on, you don't want the

to get you. You don't want to get
pinched, do you? Boy,

has he got a snoot. It's dreadful
disgracing his uniform like that.

If they can't trust him, there oughtn't
to be any furloughs. Let's find Jim.

Jim Lannigan.

Jim, get a hold of yourself.

Let's get him in the cab. Come on, pal.
I'll take you someplace where you can

sleep at all. Have to find Jim.

Jim Lannigan.

But he hasn't been drinking. Oh, look,
lady, we... Hey, I think she's got

something there, Harry. What's wrong
with you, chum?

What'll come out?

He must have run away from the naval
hospital.

Oh, let me take him, please.

I'll look after him.

Where are the planes coming?

Take it easy, pal.

Will you take us there?

Yeah, sure.

Jim.

I have to find Jim Spive's home.

Oh, don't worry about it.

I'd like to take care of it, if I may.

Skip it, mister.

This is on the house.

You'll go to sleep now.

I don't know how to thank you, Miss
Vale.

He was one of the first on the beach,
you know.

When there weren't enough guns and...

Not enough ammunition.

Most of all, not enough planes.

Good night, Carl.

We'll find Jim Lannigan.

We'll bring him planes.

And that's the reason I came back that
night, Roberta.

To ferry ships.

I ferried 99.

Well, you might as well know about it.

I'm just about through with flying.

Aren't you forgetting about Carl?

But there's something you don't
understand, Roberta. All I understand is

must deliver ships.

So far, we've been doing pretty well.

Now, you, Wilhelmine, and B .J. are
scheduled for transition to B -17.

Wilhelmine has made 100 deliveries, and
B .J.'s done 101.

Right now, you've got top score with
105.

105?

But, Roberta... Roberta, look.

I've marked them all down, every single
one.

100 ships to be delivered. 99 of them
have crossed off.

The next one is 100.

A good round number.

Well, according to my records, your good
round number came up about two weeks

ago.

Two weeks ago?

Yeah.

You mean the C -47 to Ontario was my
100th ship? Well, that's what it says in

the logbook right there, see?

I don't understand.

I don't see how.

I do.

You just can't count.

How about that coffee, huh?

Jerry, how about that coffee?

Coffee?

I'll meet you in the day room in five
minutes. All right.

Hey, what are you doing here? Men are
allowed.

Oh, take it easy, take it easy.

I'm guarded.

Bring in the equipment. Open it up.

Where's Wilhelmina? She's in conference.
What's that stuff?

This is not stuff.

Wilhelmina asked me to bring it. She
said as long as you were going to be

briefed on it, I might as well come over
and demonstrate.

What is it, a sleeping bag?

That is army equipment, type A2. And
it's a matter of life or death.

What's so funny about that?

This is better known as the life raft or
emergency equipment.

And I'll show you how it works.

It's a life raft.

Not really.

Boards and everything.

How would you like to be...

On the high season, one of these things
for 23 days, huh? Yeah, with Captain

Clark Gable.

What do you do about food?

Ah, food. That's all taken care of.

Here's all the food you could possibly
need. Just get a load of those

But suppose you don't have food.

You run out of food? Well, now, look,
you're just finding an island. Look

and see what the birds and the monkeys
eat.

What's good enough for the birds and the
monkeys? Is good enough for you.

What if you're on a rough sea and the
boat turns over? Now, you know, I was

hoping you'd ask me that. Now, look,
I'll demonstrate.

Stand back, ladies.

Stand back.

Now, look.

I'll lie down just like I'm in the
water. You see what I mean?

Turn it over on top.

Hurry up. It can't hurt you. It's light.

Boat's right along. Upside down. We'll
go the other way.

That's it. You see, you just keep right
on kicking your feet and sailing. Just

go right along like shooting a fish in a
rain barrel. Just sit. There's nothing

to it.

There you go. Right along.

You know what I mean?

I could keep on going like this for 50
miles.

I've gone about five already.

Now, you see, girls, there's really
nothing to it.

And another thing, if you're out in the
tropics, you never have to worry about

being in that bright sun. You're in the
shade, cool, comfortable. Just keep

yourself. Yep.

What's the matter, Snapper? Forced
landing?

No, you see, I was... No, you see, I was
just demonstrating to the girls.

What girls?

Well, I was telling them about the
sailing, all your food, I mean, and life

right there. It's a terrific piece of
stuff. I mean, you have plenty to eat

there. I mean, you've got the sail and
everything.

paid as much attention to alex as she
does to those irresistible b -17s i

have had some competition what about her
feelings feelings she hasn't got any

she spends all her time grabbing every
available trip she's nothing but a human

automatic pilot don't you think you've
said enough i haven't even started

you haven't got any right to pin a hands
-off sign on alex you're not married to

him

Isn't there enough fighting going on in
this world without you two adding to it?

Hooray. Three cheers for Roberta. You
can skip that, Virgie.

I'm sorry, Roberta.

Mary Frances, you, Anne, and Emily go
down to control and pick up your orders.

Oh, good. That lets me out. I've got a
date. You've got a date, all right.

You're taking a B .T. to Boston.

But I'm expecting some people to go on.
Get going.

Get going.

Excuse me, girls.

Thanks. Oh, Roberta. Yeah?

Don't forget your shots.

I've already had mine. In case you want
me, I'll be down at control. I might see

you on the line later.

What's up, Roberta? They told us to
report to control off as soon as we

Yes, that's right. You're to pick up
further orders and then get back here as

quickly as you can.

Mary Frances, you know that you're going
to the factory until your ship is

adjusted. Then fly to Newton Field for a
performance check -up. Yes, I know.

Okay.

Bertie, when you get to the Boston
airport, no side trips.

Okay, Major.

I said I should take it. Is that all
right? Well, you just got back from a

I know, but I'm the only one of the
girls who's checked out on the people.

Okay,

Roberta. All right, come ahead.

Thanks a lot for your fitness ride. No,
thanks.

Oh, it tilted.

Come back, Alex.

Sorry, I was just thinking it was up to
me to offer Jill some sort of an

explanation.

Business is bad as she thinks it is.

She's entitled to know what it's all
about.

Maybe when she gets back to Thea, we'll
have it all out.

What's the matter, Alex?

You're acting like a morgue. Yeah.

It's funny, I... Somehow I feel like
one.

It just sort of came over me.

Come on, Alex, snap out of it.

Nadine, look, I might just as well tell
you now.

Jill and I didn't get along very well
together, and that didn't seem to work

out.

She's my wife.

Attention, please.

Nadine Shannon reports to West Office.

Nadine Shannon reports to Squadron
Leader immediately.

You've noticed all those coming in this
morning, haven't you?

Yes, yes, I have.

And all the strange pilots?

That's right.

General Wade left here a little while
ago.

He left me with instructions to prepare
for a big push.

Will the WAFs be included?

Well, excuse me.

Hello? Yes?

Expect a time of arrival, 9 .08?

I see.

Well, put them in with the 8th Squadron.

Thank you.

I think you can act on the supposition,
Mrs. Harper, that the WAFs will be

included. Actually, I can't confirm it
one way or another.

Why not?

Believe me, Colonel Brennan, I feel
confident that the WAFs could rise to

emergency.

That under any condition, they'd belong
with the other squadrons of the field.

Now, if there is a big push, I know you
could count on them.

Just look at the record.

I will.

Is there anything else?

No, thank you, Mrs. Harper. I think
that'll be all.

Thank you.

Hello?

There's a ship down? Who?

Is she hurt?

Dead.

Engine trouble, eh?

Oh, I see.

Well, those facts will have to be
assembled for headquarters.

Right.

Who was it?

Jill Romilly.

How did it happen?

It happened somewhere north of here,
over a farm near Northville. The farmer

her come down.

Said the engine sounded peculiar, but
there'll be an investigation.

Jill Romney was the hardest -working
pilot we had.

She would have been ready for what's
coming up.

You could have counted on her, Colonel
Brennan. I know you could have.

They told me at the office I'd find you
here.

Let's walk, huh?

What is it, Roberta? What have I done?

Up until about a month ago, you hadn't
done anything.

You were doing very well.

But since then, your deliveries have
been slow. And there was that one

unauthorized stop at Miami. I couldn't
help that. The weather was bad.

With that tag?

Oh, look, Nadine.

Not only is your flying record shot, but
you're giving all of your time and

attention to pilots instead of ships.

Including Alex Anderson.

Roberta, did you know that Alex and Jill
were married? Did you know that Jill

just crashed an hour ago?

She was killed, Nadine.

No.

But I didn't know they were married. I
didn't know. If you stuck to your job,

you wouldn't have been involved in it.

Now, there's nothing personal in this,
but we've lost a good pilot.

And every good pilot counts if we're
going to grow from a handful to

That's why I can't afford to have one
pilot. Roberta.

Maybe I didn't want to be the kind of
wife who had gasoline in her veins

of blood.

Maybe I wanted to have fun. Maybe I was
entitled to any more fun than Jill was.

Give me another chance, Roberta.

You won't be sorry.

A guy in combat doesn't give a hoot
about who's ferrying a ship as long as

gets it when he needs it.

I don't care whether you or the other
girls don't want any part of me, and you

probably won't.

But I'll ferry two ships where before I
used to ferry one.

One for me and one for her.

You can't wash me out, Roberta.

I didn't say I was going to.

But I can't wash you out when I need
every good pilot I can get.

And you're going to be a good pilot.

Yes.

I will.

Too bad about that Romilly kid.

I guess the girls are taking it pretty
hard.

Yeah. I think I'll go over and cheer him
up a little.

Hello, ladies.

And what is that?

It's for Russia.

It looks big enough.

We'll get on with seven. You mean eight.

Thanks, Napper. Yeah, fine. I think
that's enough of it.

time I saw Johnny, he said to me, oh,
that's Miss Harper.

Miss Harper, hey, what's up?

Miss Harper.

Miss Harper, I don't mean to bother you,
but it's so important.

Yes, Genevieve, what is it?

Well, I haven't had any time off in
months, and all I want is a couple of

so I can go to New York and...
Attention, please.

All pilots will remain at the post until
further orders. All leaves canceled.

I don't want to get married.

No one will leave the airbase without
special permission.

No exceptions.

Here. Would you like a Coke?

Yeah, with lemon.

First squadron report to foreign
operations.

First squadron report to foreign
operations.

All squadrons when called will report to
foreign operations.

All squadrons when called will report to
foreign operations.

And this is your destination.

The coral reef called Easy Queen.

Radio frequencies, recognition
procedure, and weather information will

in your route book.

The sooner you get going, the better,
because you'll have to clear the field

the rest of the squadrons.

That's all, and good luck.

They just brought these back. We'll have
to take care of them.

Yes, I know.

You better go ahead with those reports,
Hilda.

Where did Virgie clear to?

Dallas.

And Emily and Ann?

They're going to make Denver tonight.

Have you got a clearance for Mary
Frances?

Yes. She'll get to Sacramento.

Smithfield Radio from Army 439.

Over Smithfield at 1 -4 from base en
route to Seattle.

Altitude 4 ,000. Over.

Army 4 -3 -9 from Smithfield Radio.

Roger. Out.

There it is.

It's all there.

There it is.

The house that I was born in.

The public library.

In the little ice cream parlor where we
used to go for sodas in the summer.

And in the fall, the air was sharp with
frost and thick with the smoke of leaves

burning.

I went to school down there.

Content school.

We missed your singing, Mary Frances.

The word nearly enough, Alton. I'm
sorry, Sister Rose. I must have been...

Dreaming.

Don't be ashamed of it, Mary Frances.

It's been said that the only practical
people are dreamers.

I should have turned back at Pearson
Field instead of bucking that headwind

the bad weather.

But I was almost out of gas and, well,
there you are.

I hope I didn't tear up too much of your
shrubbery out there.

I'm sure you didn't.

Children, children, bus and stairs.

That's all right, sister, I don't mind.

Oh, thank you.

I can't make up my mind if I dreamed it
or if it really happened.

I'm sure Mrs. Harper is very tired and
wants to go to sleep.

Put the tray down, dear.

Good night.

Good night.

Run along.

Goodbye, girls. Bye.

Bye. Come along, Mary Frances. Yes,
sister. Come along.

Come along, Mary Frances.

Yes, sister.

I wonder... I mean, I wonder if... If it
would be possible to... I'm sorry.

I'd better go.

Good night.

Bye, Frances.

I'm not really tired.

Would you like to stay and visit with me
for a while?

Oh, yes.

Come here and sit down.

Now, what is it? What did you want to
say?

Oh,

you want to fly too, is that it?

Oh, I do.

So much, I...

I can't put it into words, but... I
could never put it into words either.

But someone else has.

This is the act men dreamed, but did not
know by living counterpart.

These are the figures in your Saturn
ring, held as you roll to fling whirls

spirals across the sky.

To soar into the blind white emptiness
of cloud.

This is the field on which you leave no
mark.

This is a singer crying to the lark.

This is the field on which you leave no
mark.

This is a singer crying to the lark.

By the way, have you worked out that
navigation problem?

No, you're funny, Mario.

Can we get it? That means yes, I did.
How do we know where we're going?

Very good.

Women's Auxiliary Carrying Squadron
report to foreign operations.

All left, report to foreign operations.

As you see, you'll be on the longest
flight ever attempted by pursuits with

a lead ship to guide them.

Mrs. Harper and her co -pilot will be
responsible for seeing that you get

through.

It is of the utmost importance that the
rest of you stick to your lead ship.

You'll leave your home base, cross the
international date line, and arrive at

the coral reef called Easy Queen.

It's a half mile wide, and you'll have
to land on it.

The envelopes you've just received
contain the secret approach to the

must not be opened until you're en
route.

Earlier in the day, your squadron leader
was told the meaning of this push.

Will you explain it, please, Mrs.
Harper?

Well, as I understand it...

Right now, all up and down the coast, at
every airfield, thousands of ships are

leaving for tiny concealed bases like
ours somewhere in the Pacific.

Now, we're a link in the great chain of
a surprise attack that'll stretch from

Honolulu to New Guinea.

This is our answer to Pearl Harbor and
Guadalcanal and the Solomons.

As women and pilots, we ought to be
doubly grateful for this.

As pilots, because we're considered good
enough to make the flight.

And as women, because...

Well, many of us have men out there who
are waiting for the ships that we'll

bring them.

I think that's about all.

Your squadron will be ready for
instantaneous orders as soon as Mary

Wright and Virginia Alford return to the
field.

That's all.

Yes?

Good. What about Virgie? She's due to
land at 06.

She should be over destination now.

Thank you.

We've got the P -38s to go. Looks like
you'll get one of them. Good.

Hello, Ms. Offit.

Hello, Matt. How are you?

Long time.

Gosh, I'm glad to see you. I thought you
were in Europe. I was. I thought I'd

come back and teach you how to fly.

The same old Miss Alfred.

How's Mrs. Harper? Oh, she's fine.

That's swell.

Oh, by the way, I saw Major Harper's
name in the paper the other day. They

he's been doing a lot of great flying.

Nothing but heroes in our family, Mac.

Things certainly look a lot different
since the old days. Yeah, there's been

plenty of changes since the Air Force
moved in.

I suppose you're looking for the old
Harper Flying School, huh? Yes.

Well, they moved it over to the south
end of the field. They got a lot of junk

stored in there now.

Dad McCormick, you're wanted in the
number one hangar. That's me.

Excuse me, Miss Elford.

Don't forget to give your sister my best
regards. Okay, Max. So long.

So long.

I thought you were in New York. New
York.

I've come for your blessing.

I'm going to be married tonight.

Now, wait a minute. Take it easy. I've
only known him a week, but it's Frank

Garrison. You know, his father's head of
Garrison Publications, and Frank's been

given charge of the Paris office, and
we're picking up a plane in Rome, and...

Look, look.

Did you ever see anything like them?

They're very pretty, but where is he?

Oh, last -minute details. You know, he's
meeting me here.

Virgie, do you know what you're doing?

You're not going on a weekend. You're
getting married.

It's going to be a career.

Another?

You've had four that I know of in the
last three years.

You've been a glamour girl, an actress.
Now, Roberta, when are you going to stop

playing Ma?

Oh, Virgie, you don't know anything
about this guy. For all you know, he may

a cad or a scoundrel.

So I'm a scoundrel, am I?

Hello.

I'm Roberta.

I'm awfully happy to know you.

I hope you don't think we're being too
sudden, but I want to make your sister

very happy.

Yes, I think you will.

I only hope Virgie has the same ideas.
The passport's already done. All ship

-shaped. And I've just put down a
deposit on 200 acres in Bucks County.

200 acres of what?

Farmland.

Oh.

Look, I know you two want to get married
right away, but...

Well, after all, it is New Year's Eve,
and I'm waiting to hear from Tommy now.

Why don't we all have dinner together,
and then you can decide whether you

really want to marry into this crazy
family of ours.

Really, Roberta?

Give Sister Roberta goodbye.

Oh, that's probably Tommy now. Come on
inside and wait, huh?

And don't you really drop this thing off
with me.

Hello?

Oh, yes, hello, darling.

I've been waiting for you.

How are you?

Well, that's good.

Listen, darling, what do you think?
Virgie's here.

Yes, with a friend of hers, Frank
Garrison.

Oh, he's awfully nice. You'll meet him.

Listen, how about the four of us
spending New Year's Eve together?

What, darling?

Where?

The new house.

Well, why do you want me to meet you
there?

But the house isn't finished.

Oh, just the two of us.

Yes, sir.

Oh, right here, sir.

Oh, uh... Miss,

your ship's ready. Thanks. Was anybody
asking for me?

There was a fellow with a camera. Yes?
But they took it away from him. Oh.

Tucson Radio from Army 804.

I pass Tucson at 268 ,000. My
destination is Army 804. This is Tucson

Radio. Stand by. Another ship is
calling.

Go ahead, Army 731.

Tucson Radio, this is Army 731.

Request permission to land at Tucson.

Over. Army 731, this is Tucson Radio.

Permission to land denied by base
operations officer.

Field is closed to traffic. Review is
being held.

Captain Strong, Stinger Service Cross.

Congratulations, Captain. Thank you,
sir.

Miss Alford, what happened?

I don't know. I had some trouble with
the oil pressure, so I had to land, and

then the landing gear jammed, and
however, the WAFs are equipped to handle

emergency. Too bad those brass hats
don't give us a chance. What do you

Well, if you really want to know... Hold
it, Miss Alford.

speaks for itself, I think, Mrs. Harper.

Your sister made a hot landing and badly
damaged the ship just when General

Yates was about to decorate a hero of
the Solomon's campaign.

She apparently stole the limelight very
effectively.

Well, you don't think she did that on
purpose.

I've read your sister's book, too.

And if I remember correctly, a similar
incident happened at a field near

Marseille when General Giraud was
present.

The report is that she's returning by
train. She ought to be back tomorrow.

You'll have Virgie's resignation
tomorrow, too, Colonel Brennan.

Any further orders for the WAFs?

Right now, I don't know.

But it's my opinion that General Wade
will feel that they've covered

with enough glory for the time being.

Sure these folks won't buy? Thank you.

You're Virginia Alford, aren't you?

Yes, that's right. I read your book.

I didn't mean to stare like that. You
see, at first I thought I knew you, and

then I suddenly realized it was because
I'd seen your picture in the paper.

I made exactly the same mistake the
first time I saw Winston Churchill.

Oh, what happened? Oh, I really put my
foot in it. I rushed up to him and I

said, hello, how have you been?

What did he say?

Fine, and you?

Oh,

you've given up a great deal to go in
the service.

How do you feel about it?

I mean, do you feel that women in
uniform are doing a good job? I

The only trouble is they aren't giving
us enough to do. Why, if... Don't get me

started on that.

I know just what you mean.

When I think what those boys are going
through, it seems to me that we're doing

such a little bit to...

What are you doing here?

Frank, what are you doing here?

I'm a deserter, that's all.

I quit before I even got into action.

What do you want me to do, stand up and
take a bow?

Do you want to start a riot in here? The
lady knows me.

What do you?

Rome, Paris, London, and Bucharest.

You haven't forgotten Bucharest, have
you, Virgie?

That's where you deserted.

You're no desertion. One who abandons
the wine of duty.

I... I beg your pardon.

Frank! Frank!

Have you got the list of pilots coming
in?

One of the waifs? Yes, Mary Frances
Wright.

She had a priority ship and they've
given her an instrument of clearance.

When do you expect her?

She'll be in tonight.

Thanks so much.

What is it, Snapper?

Virgie's back.

Thank you.

Virgie, if you made a hot landing... Oh,
drop it, will you?

That was yesterday. That was years ago.

Roberta, I thought I'd never get here.

I don't know why you bothered to come
back at all.

There's some coffee in the PX for you
girls. Go get it, will you?

Look, Roberta. Excuse me, Mrs. Harper.

Yes, Hilda. We just had a report on Mary
Frances. Oh? She's on her way back, but

has been delayed because of bad weather.
All right, thanks.

All right, what's your version of it?

What are you talking about?

Your amusing little adventure at Tucson
Field.

Just what did you have in mind?

Not that I'd be expected to appreciate
your antics. Leave me alone, please.

Now, look, Virgie.

I'm not enjoying this any more than you
are. Tell you, I don't want to talk

about it.

Well, I'm afraid you haven't a choice in
that matter. Look, Roberta, I did it on

purpose. It was a crazy, egomaniac
stunt. Just the sort of thing I'm always

doing.

And I'm sorry.

Horribly sorry.

What's the matter?

I saw Frank on the train.

For the first time since I left him.

He was one of a group of army deserters
on their way to Leavenworth.

He wouldn't even look at me.

Frank, a deserter.

You should have seen him.

Handcuffed to an MP.

You were right, Roberta.

I wasn't in love with him.

But he was in love with me when I walked
out on him in Bucharest.

He just sat there looking ashamed of me.

But all he said was, you aren't leaving
me with very much, Virgin.

You see, good, bad, and different, I was
the only thing he had.

And when I left him flat, there wasn't
anything.

This isn't any credit to me, but he used
to like to sort of lean on me like a...

like a kid.

When he went in the army, there wasn't
anybody back home rooting for him,

telling him what a great guy he was.

He couldn't fight because he didn't
think he had anything to fight with.

How could he when his own wife called
him a failure?

You know something, Duchess?

I think there's a chance for you yet.

I've got to make him feel it's going to
be as long for me as it is for him until

he gets out.

Roberta, people can change, can't they?

Yes, they can.

Do you believe I can change?

Yes, I do.

But the worst part of it is, Virgie,
you're just a little bit too late.

Too late?

I'm washing you out.

If I don't, they will, and it's better
for the wafts this way.

Oh, but...

What about me?

What's going to happen to me?

It doesn't matter what happens to you.

Don't you see? If it has nothing to do
with the war, it doesn't matter what

happens to anyone personally.

We've all got to take a rain check on
the future.

We've all got to wait because the war
can't.

This just came for you, Mrs. Hartler, of
the TWX from Washington. Thanks,

Heather.

I know what you say is true.

Of course it is.

But it's going to be pretty hard on me
just the same.

Since I saw Frank on the train, I've...
I've been making plans and... And now

what am I going to do?

Roberta, what am I going to...

Roberta, I...

Hello,

darling.

Surprised?

One of the boys got the bright idea that
maybe you'd like this better than a

letter. So, here I am in San Francisco
and there you are in Boston.

It's January 1937.

A month we'll always remember.

A year the world will, I think.

Maybe the things I want to talk to you
about aren't important enough to lock in

a vault on the Smithsonian Institute.

But they're our personal history.

A record we'll want to keep for our
future.

Let's start with December 31st.

Darling, mark that one down.

It was a New Year's date.

That's important to a couple of people
in love.

You were waiting for me in our new home,
the home we'd never lived in.

I knew you were wondering why I'd asked
you to meet me there.

I thought you'd never get me.

Happy New Year, darling. Happy New Year.
And many, many more to both of us.

Good wife, I bear the magic potion that
wards off warts, winds, and witches.

I'll bet you didn't bring any glasses.

You're a genius.

Tally. Yes?

You look beautiful tonight.

Your favorite dress, remember?

Well, that's the dress I fell in love
with.

Hurry up, will you?

The Harper Med House.

Of course, we couldn't buy a new house
that was new to begin with. We had to

an old one and try to make it look new.

But you love it, don't you, darling?

Yes. So do I.

Here. To the Harper Med House.

Roberta. This is our home, isn't it?

Why, of course, darling.

I mean, we've done all our planning
here, all our living in the future.

It's going to be...

Well, it's going to be a wonderful
future.

Tommy, when are we going to move in?

Come on over here and sit down.

I want to tell you why we can't move in.
Not just yet.

All right, there.

Now, which is your best shoulder?
They're both good.

Oh, my God.

Now tell me, is it because the lights
aren't on and the furnace isn't in and

furniture? No, there's only one reason.

What is it?

You know I can take it.

Anything and wonderfully, Roberta.

Do you know that if you lived here in
this house 217 years ago when it was

they'd have been after you?

Why? Well, women who went flying around
in those days were condemned as witches.

Broomsticks didn't have liquid -cooled
motors in those days, did they? Goody

evil I, Harper, the best darn pilot I
know. And you're the best I know.

Greenlaw thinks I'll do.

Greenlaw? Yes, Chenault's second in
command.

I had a letter from him today.

They need pilots in China.

I said you were the best I know.

Don't you see, darling, if China needs
help now and we give it to her, we may

helping ourselves later on.

You always were a smart man, Tommy.

No, not smart.

I like what we stand for.

You know...

In a way, I'll be fighting for this
house. Of course you will.

This is going to be a lovely house to
live in. One of these days.

When do you leave?

Tomorrow.

Final?

That's up to you.

Then it's final.

I knew you'd say that, Roberta.

You know, you're going to have your
hands full, what with the school and

everything. I'll do my best.

Now that Virgie's gone and you'll be
going away.

It's not just us, Roberta.

We can't live here in our place
knowing... I know, I know. Don't say

Tommy. Yes, sweetheart.

Women used to sit here years ago and
watch for ships to come into that

didn't they?

Generations of women.

That's what they say, darling.

They'd watch for a long time.

Months, even years maybe.

Sometimes they almost gave up hope.

But then finally the men would come
back.

Yes, the men would come back.

Believe me, darling, they do come back.

And any time you don't believe it,
whenever there's any doubt at all, play

over. Listen to it.

I'll be back, darling.

I'll be seeing you.

Have Major McNabb report to me right
away. Yes, sir.

We should be able to finish the job
tomorrow.

About the WAFs, General. In view of the
previous record, don't you think your

order's a little too drastic? I'm not
taking any chances.

Virginia Alford told the press the WAFs
were unfairly treated and asked for an

investigation. And I'm afraid she'll get
one. I see what you mean.

Get me Mrs. Harper at once.

Right away, sir.

We've been waiting a long time for this.
All we need now is our orders. Yeah,

but when are they going to call us?
Soon, I hope. The sitting around waiting

gives me the jitters. The 20th squadron
left this afternoon.

Bound to be us tomorrow.

Oh, BJ, will you see that every girl
with confidential radio equipment draws

sidearms? Right.

This is it.

WAF's B .O .Q., Maddie and Shannon
speaking.

Mrs. Harper?

Roberta.

Roberta Harper.

Yes, Colonel Brennan.

Yes, I understand.

Any further orders?

Yes, very well.

Yes, I'll tell them.

What's wrong?

We've been cancelled out of the big
push.

Cancelled? You mean we're not going?

He says he'll probably have domestic
orders for us tomorrow.

Domestic orders?

That means we'll be in those Maytech
Messerschmitts for the rest of the war.

The CO had nothing to do with it. The
orders came from General Wade. Maybe she

is your sister, but I'd like to get my
hands on her.

I'm sorry, girls.

I feel worse for her than I do for any
of us.

The whole darn shooting match has been
her baby, and look what they've done to

it.

Leave Roberta alone.

I'm not going to see Roberta.

So you're running out. I should have
known.

I'm not running out.

I've been kicked out.

Kicked out?

I suppose you're going to say it's about
time, too.

You ask me, it's a little too late.

What do you mean?

We've been cancelled out of the big
push. We're not going.

Because of me?

Yes, because of you.

They just told Roberta.

You should have seen your sister
standing there. You could look right

her and see her heart break.

I'm sorry.

You're sorry.

A lot of good that'll do.

Don't you see, Colonel Brennan? It's
been me against everybody else.

I didn't belong with the WAFs in the
first place. The others didn't join

they thought it was going to be
glamorous.

I did.

Glamorous. What's glamorous about
sitting up all night in a jam -packed

airliner? Eating when you can.

Sleeping when you can.

Because you're liable to be yanked out
of another flight when you just come

from one.

Delivering ships on the nose. Learning
as fast as you can. Taking everything

they can give you and asking for more.

Is that so, Miss Alfred? It is, Colonel
Brennan. You'll know it is.

You can't tell me differently, because
you stood in back of them all the time.

But it isn't up to me, Miss Alfred.

Colonel Brennan, I want you to relieve
me of my command. It's my resignation.

But it's obvious that the WAFs were
grounded because of me.

There's no question about that. I'm
responsible for the WAFs.

Apparently my leadership has been at
fault. Oh, no, that isn't so.

Well, they mustn't suffer for that.

There's only one thing that really
counts, and that is that the WAFs be

to make this flight.

Mrs. Harper, if you're acting on an
impulse... I'm not, Colonel Brennan.

I've thought it over very carefully.

I want the WAFs to go up tonight.

And I'll appreciate it if you put that
through its proper channels just as

quickly as possible.

Do you think that brass hat, Wade, is
going to pay any attention to Colonel

Brennan or your puny little resignation?
I don't want to discuss it. I think I

understand. Well, I'm not going to let
things stay the way they are. I'm going

to Washington if I have to. Now, just a
minute.

You stay out of this.

You've done enough things already that
have only caused trouble for yourself

everybody else around you.

Now, do me one favor, will you please,
and stay out of this.

Are you still giving me orders?

Yes, if you want to put it that way, I
am.

So sorry, Colonel, but I don't have to
take orders from you anymore.

You took care of that when you washed me
out.

Army 436, turning on final approach.

Over. Army 436, roger. Cleared for
landing.

Power to aircraft on taxi strip. What is
your identification?

Over.

Power to aircraft on runway 18.

You receive the tower, clear the runway
immediately.

Army 436, do not land.

Go around.

Do not win.

Who is it?

You may come in now, Mrs. Harper, but
don't stay too long.

Duchess.

Duchess.

Hello. You would wake me up, Ma, just
when I was having the most wonderful

dream.

Were you?

I landed in Washington.

The brass hat said everything was all
right.

And the next day, there you were in the
lead ship with all your little pursuit

ships tagging after you.

I'm sorry I ever came out of it.

Oh, you may be a problem child, Virgie,
but you're all I've got.

I know.

But you used to have the wafts.

Oh, I wonder whatever became of them.

Well, there'll be plenty to do getting
you on your feet again.

Am I getting on my feet again? Oh, yes.
They say in time you'll be just as good

as new.

What happened to the other ship?

Who was in it?

Mary Frances.

She landed all right.

That's more than I did.

Wrong way, Virgie.

On a one -way street.

Virgie, do you know something?

I'm proud of you.

Me?

Yes, Virgie.

You tried.

Is Mrs. Harper here?

Yes, right there.

Mrs. Harper.

Oh, yes, Snapper.

How's the patient?

She's going to be all right, thanks. Oh,
that's swell.

Say, Mrs. Harper, you want it?

By whom?

By a couple of fellows named Wade and
Brennan.

If I were you, I'd get on my horse, but
quick. Yes, I will.

Oh, Robert, that'll probably be your
resignation.

Here, now, Virgie, take it easy.

Everything's going to work itself out.

You go back to sleep.

You sent for me, Colonel? Come in, Mrs.
Hopper.

Your commanding officer has just
received a message that the first flight

went to Easy Queen Island has run into
trouble.

The lead ship has gone down.

The other ships have scattered.

and we must operate on the basis that
the flight is lost.

Because combat pilots are waiting at
Easy Queen, another flight must go

Orders have come in for you to embark on
this mission, and under a different

name. I have just received official word
from Washington that you will be known

as the Women's Air Force Service Pilots.

You will be attached to the Air Forces.

Your numbers will be increased as soon
as other women are ready to take their

places with you.

You will be ready to take off at dawn
tomorrow.

That's all.

Good luck.

Well, this is what you've been waiting
for. Aren't you happy, Mrs. Harper?

Oh, of course I'm happy, Colonel.

Oh,

about your resignation.

I haven't had time to turn it in.

You check your watches, please.

In 10 seconds, it will be 05.

Check? Check. Good. I'll see you
upstairs.

Army 189 calling Tower 192.

Army 189 approaching field from
northwest.

Request immediate landing instructions.

Over. Army 189, this is Sunset Tower.
Three miles east. One west 15.

Cleared to runway 28R. Number one to
land.

Traffic is tactical squadron taking off
on runway 28.

Hello, Private.

I'm in Mrs. Harper's quarters.

Mrs. Harper, sir? Well, she's almost
ready for takeoff. Jump in. Maybe I can

stop her. Maybe I can help you, sir.

Hello.

I -835, your quadrant is cleared for
takeoff.

Army 189 calling Darwin.

Hold that squadron. Emergency.

Army 189, Wilco. Army 835.

Do not take off. Emergency.

835, Wilco.

There was so much to say, and now I
can't say a word.

I know.

Darling.

Darling, they told me you were missing.
Me? Unsinkable Harper?

I told you I'd come back.

I know.

I'm off again tomorrow.

And I write this minute.

Tommy. Army 835, your clearance is void
if not off the ground by 2 -0. Cleared

for immediate takeoff. Army 835, roger.

Roberta, the towers cleared us for
immediate takeoff.

So long, darling.

So long, baby.