All language subtitles for Wings.of.the.Navy.1939.1080p

[orchestral music]

Today, we honor the memory

of Admiral John Harrington.

This monument we dedicate
is a thing of stone.

Which can but suggest
the work accomplished

by a great American.

'Yesterday..'

'...the Navy had no wings..'

'...but Admiral Harrington'

was leading a small group
of determined men

in a dangerous
and thankless campaign

to prove that
the aeroplane was destined

to be an important
part of the fleet.

To make this possible

Admiral Harrington and others
sacrificed their lives.

But the job isn't finished.

For today...in peace time

men are still
giving up their lives

to maintain and improve

our greatest safeguard
against war.

A powerful navy

equipped with
an invincible Air Force.

'Therefore, it is not
only to Admiral Harrington'

but to the men
of United States Naval Aviation

to those who fly today

and to those who will ride
the navy wings of tomorrow

that we dedicate this monument.

- Thank you, sir.
- I greatly admired your father.

Oh, admiral,
I don't believe you've met

my younger brother, Jerry.

- No.
- How do you do, sir?

Follow your
father's footsteps, eh?

- I hope so.
- Congratulations.

Thank you.

You know, it's a shame
a man has to be long gone

before they start praising him.

He's not gone.

You know, he had a peculiar
belief in immortality, Jerry.

He believed that so long
as there was a Harrington

in the navy,
he'd be part of it.

Say, could we get a picture
of Lt. Harrington?

- Go ahead.
- Hey, young man.

Would you step aside? We want
a picture of Lt. Harrington.

His name's Harrington too,
he's my brother.

Yeah, but he ain't news.

- What does he do?
- Submarine service.

Oh. So the hawk has a turtle
for a kid brother, huh?

Say, I understand you've
designed a new fighting plane.

Could you tell us about it?

No, it's far enough along yet.

'All set.'

'Thanks a lot.'

You design a new submarine, son

and you'll get your
picture in the paper too.

Thanks.

Well, I guess,
that puts me in my place.

Mm-hmm. And see
that you stay there.

I have a conference over
with the Navy Department

about the new plane.

See you at the hotel later, huh?

Good luck and don't let
the Navy Department know

I'm your kid brother,
they'll throw you out.

[knock on door]

Come in.

- Hi, Cass.
- Oh, hello, Jerry.

Meet Harry White.

He's an instructor
with me down in Pensacola.

- Glad to know you.
- How are you?

Say, Cass, how do
you go about getting

a transfer from
Submarines to Aviation?

- You don't.
- But it can be done, can't it?

What's the matter?
You got that flying bug again?

I get it every time
I see you in the air.

I'd like to trade this
sub insignia for wings.

- Well, forget it.
- Well, why should I forget it?

Because you're not the type
to make a good navy flyer.

Well, what kind
of a man is the type?

What does he gotta have?
Feathers?

You're not going
to do any transferring

and I don't want to hear
any more about it.

Alright, papa, alright.

He's a cross between
a mother hen and a maiden aunt.

Did it ever occur to you,
Cass, I might grow up someday?

- No.
- Well, you might be surprised.

So long, I'll see
you down in the field.

- So long.
- So long.

This is the first time
I ever heard you try to unsell

anybody on flying,
what's the angle, Cass?

Oh, Jerry, he hates
the idea of being a kid brother.

You know the difference in
our ages gave me a head start.

And he's always looking for
a shortcut to even things up.

Pal, when we were kids he'd
like to kill himself trying to

outclimb me and almost drowned
himself trying to outswim me.

The same thing when he played
football at the Naval Academy.

And you're afraid
if he comes to Pensacola

he'll break his neck trying
to outfly you, is that it?

Sure, that's right.

Say, Cass..

...he might be good.

He is good.

The only trouble is
when he's competing with me

something happens to him.
He's a bust.

How is he when he
is not competing with you?

Oh, he's great,
that's why I want him to stay

in the submarine services where
he won't be under my influence.

So, listen someday, he'll run
up a record that'll make mine

look like something that was
written on the side of a barn.

In other words,
he's not entirely hopeless, huh?

Ah, no, he's a grand kid.

I'd give my right arm for him.

While I was doing it, I'd hang
my left on his chin too.

[honking]

That can't be Cass,
there's a girl with him.

Why, it is Cass.

- Hello.
- Hello, Jerry.

Jerry, this is Irene Dale.

Irene, this is
my kid brother, Jerry.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

- Bye, darling.
- Goodbye, darling.

- 'Come on, Cass!'
- I'm coming.

See you in Pensacola.

No, you won't.

Did I see him kissing you
or was I dreaming?

I was kissing him too.

You mean to tell me
Cass took time enough

off from flying
to fall in love with you?

Why, is it so incredible?

For Cass, yes,
for anyone else, no.

Of course I've only
known you a few minutes

but if you had a twin sister
and there was a moon

I'd be asking her
to share my entire fortune

consisting of three uniforms

submarine insignia
and a sword.

And, uh, all the luxury that
goes with an ensign's paycheck.

And my twin sister would
be flattered, if I had one.

- But what about Cass?
- 'Uh, him, he's different.'

He isn't human,
he's just a built-in

accessory to an aeroplane.

He's got a carburetor
for a heart

and it pumps blue
and gold gasoline.

He just can't be
in love with you.

Well, he acts as if he were.

Maybe he's changed a lot
since you last saw him.

Maybe, but I doubt it.

It must be for you.

Let's see what this is.

If you come to Pensacola,
I'll break your neck.

Does he mean you or me?

He means me.

[train horn blaring]

[imitating aeroplane droning]

[screams]
Oh!

- Aeroplanes, lady, aeroplanes.
- Oh!

Conductor, there's
a maniac back there.

Practicing up
choking somebody to death.

- Be careful.
- He's not a nut, lady.

He's a student pilot
on his way

to a Naval Training Station
at Pensacola.

They all act that way.

You know,
flying with their hands.

[imitating droning]

- The left wing's down.
- It's a snap roll.

Looks more like
a flip and turn to me.

Snap roll..

- You a flyer?
- It's just a question of time.

You're on your way to Pensacola?

Yeah, you bet. Come on,
sit down. I'm Scat Allen.

My name's Dan Morrison
from Stanford.

- Where are you from?
- I, well, Agricultural College.

Oh, it's a pretty long hop from
farming to flying, isn't it?

Oh, not very.

I'm the soul owner and operator
of the Scat Allen Aerial

Crop Spraying
and Pest Control Corporation.

- Incorporated.
- Oh, I see.

So, you mean,
you zoom potato bugs

and dive-bomb cutworms, huh?

- That's right.
- Well, why did you give it up?

A farmer said,
I did more damage than the bugs.

When I get back from Pensacola,
I'll be alright.

I'll do better business,
and that's why I'm going.

You fellas going
to the flying school too?

Another recruit, huh?

We're aviation cadets too.

Yeah?
W-well, my name's Ted Parsons.

Well, wait a minute,
I've heard of you.

Weren't you in All-American
half-back last year?

Well, I played
little football, but, uh..

Well, by the time
you get through Pensacola

football will seem
like a kids game to you.

If you get through Pensacola.

If? Why shouldn't I get through?

When I was a kid on the farm,
I asked my father

"Why shouldn't I be
able to ride that stallion?"

See that scar?

[imitating droning]

Boy, no aeroplanes
gonna throw me.

No, flying's no more complicated
than driving a Flivver.

Did you ever try to do
a flip or turn in the Flivver?

I beg your pardon, senores,
but I could not help

overhear you talk of flying.

Don't tell me you're
going to Pensacola too.

That is my great good fortune.

Say, you've got kind
of a strange accent.

You're from Brooklyn?

My name is Armando Costa
Lieutenant de Cordoba.

From the Brazilian Navy.

Your government was kind
enough to accept me

as a courtesy student.

Brazilian Navy?

You're a long way from home,
aren't you?

With the advancement of
aviation, Brazil is practically

in your backyard.

It's fine.
I'll tell you.

You tie up all your crocodiles
and I'll fly down

and we'll have a cup of coffee
one of these days.

Si, senor.

[imitating droning]

[patriotic music]

[music continues]

Hey, wait a minute!

Look at that guy up there.

Hey, buddy!

Do you know
where the cadet barracks are?

- In that building.
- Thanks.

Let me give you a tip, mister.

These two stripes
I'm wearing signify

that I'm a lieutenant.
USN.

Now, you positively never say,
"Hey, buddy" to a lieutenant?

Lieutenant junior grade
or even an ensign.

You salute and say,
yes, sir or no, sir.

It's little hard
to get on to at first.

The lieutenant says,
yes, sir, to the commander

the commander says,
yes, sir, to the captain

and the captain says,
yes, sir, to the admiral.

And the admiral says,
yes, sir, to the President.

Who does the President say,
yes, sir, to?

Well, the President says,
yes, sir, to you.

Well, that brings us right back
to where we started from.

- Yes, sir.
- Yes, sir.

And above all, gentlemen,
learn to shun this.

But by all means, learn to
cherish, earn and deserve this.

Your lives here at Pensacola
will be regulated

more but these two signs
than anything else.

When your check pilot
gives you this..

...you've done a good job.

When you start
collecting these..

'...you're on your way out.'

Now, you'll each receive
a regulation book.

You'll be required to observed
every one of these rules.

Must understand that they're
formulated for your own good

and the good of the navy.

Their purposes is
to turn out the finest

flying personnel in the world.

Now, is there anything else
I can explain?

Yes, sir.

When do we fly?

- Eventually.
- Not until then?

There's such a thing
as overdoing things, mister.

Take a deep breath.

[inhales]

[exhales]

I wanted a deep breath,
not a hurricane.

Am I alright?

I think so.

When do I fly?

Oh, one of these days.

[inhales]

[exhales]

What I wanna know is

when are we gonna fly?

Hey, Parsons.
What's the idea?

Oh, I'm, uh..

I'm going home.

What's the matter?

They, uh, heard a murmur
in my heart.

- Was it bad?
- No.

I can play football,
I can run the 440.

I can play basketball, but..

I guess I'm just not
in good enough shape

to be a naval aviator.

Busted out before
I even get in an aeroplane.

That's tough luck, fella.

Yeah.

Wonder what the psychology
examination's like.

Search me.

Suppose you were leading

a company of infantry men

and a battleship
came towards you

from out of the woods.
What would you do?

I guess I change
my brand of liquor, sir.

I think you'll do.

When do I fly?

'As soon as you sprout wings.'

Oh.

'You may go.'

There's a very silly man
in there.

[laughter]

[indistinct chatter]

Halt.

Keep your eyes on the ground
and your mind

on your business
and there might come a day

when you'll be in
one of those planes up there.

Yes, sir.

Well, I had to do
an awful lot of walking

to become a naval aviator.

'Company, forward. Hut!'

(all)
One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

So, Henry,
you have a good trip?

Smooth as glass,
all the way from San Diego.

Ah. What's that?

Oh, he's a passenger
they sent out with me.

- 'Oh, air sick, huh?'
- 'Ever since we took off.'

Jerry, what are you doing here?

I'm gonna be an aviator.

So, you wanted to be
a navy flyer, huh?

They're still laughing
at the Officers Club.

Look at you, I ought to
knock your block off.

Here, drink that.

'I don't know how you wranglers
happen to being ordered'

down here but you're going back
to your submarines.

A fine welcome to Pensacola

from my own flesh and blood too.

It's alright
you'll be proud of me yet.

Why don't you quit before you
disgrace the name of Harrington?

Can't you realize you'll never
make a go at things?

- I know what I'm doing.
- Sure.

So do the kid playing
with a machine gun.

Look, Cass,
I'm free, white and 21.

I'm gonna stay here
whether you like it or not.

I'm gonna learn to fly
and when I do it

I'm gonna fly
the pants off of you.

Hmm, I'd be all in favor
of that, if you wanted

to be a good flyer
for the navy.

But all the interest you
is flying to Pensa for me

and that's just where
you're gonna be a flop.

I'm not gonna flop.

And if I do,
it's my business.

Alright, alright, from now on
you're on your own.

I'm gonna pretend
you're not even here.

You get in to a jam,
you can get out of it yourself.

From now on,
I'm leaving you strictly alone.

- Is that a promise?
- Yes, that's a promise.

Here, take your medicine.

[groaning]

Gentlemen, today you start
to learn how to fly.

Yippee!

We'll save the yippees
for later.

First, you'll be introduced
to your flight instructors

and you'll learn
where to get your parachutes

and what to do with them.

Now, the first thing
to bear in mind

is that you're not supposed
to know anything.

'I know you've had
your preliminary training'

'in land planes.'

Some of you have done
a lot of civilian flying.

But you still
don't know anything.

So, if you wanna
get along with us

learn to do things the navy way.

Now, before you meet your
instructors let me give you

one bit of advice.

The easiest way
to get a squabble

is to start knowing more
than your instructor.

Now, remember,
this is not a land plane.

Pull back on that stick
to start your take off.

You do this for two reasons.

In the first place,
you've got to get her up step

or she won't take off.

In the second place,
you have to keep

the spray off the propeller.

I'll let you in
on a little secret.

- Water is bad for a prop.
- Oh.

- Rust, huh?
- I don't mean rust.

I mean, hitting the water with
your prop turning up too fast.

It's like hitting
a solid object

and it's bends the prop.

Yes, sir.
I'll remember.

Now, if you do,
you'll be practically

the only student whoever did.

Alright, get in and get
a feel of the ship

on your feet and back.

[engine revving]

This is what we call a Gosport.

It's a speaking tube
that allows me to talk to you

but you can't talk back to me.

Well, suppose
I wanna ask a question?

I know just about all the
questions you'll want to ask.

And remember this..

I expect you
to make mistakes.

But don't let me catch you
making the same mistake twice.

I'm not waving at the angels
when I do this.

Your right wing's still low.
Bring it up.

'Now your left wing.'

'Now your right wing again.'

You're tied up in knots.

You handle that stick like you
were shaking hands with a baby.

'Don't try to pull it out
of its socket.'

Take a look around you.

'You're not the only
one flying today.'

That would have been suicide.

Try it again.
But this time relax.

'You're as stiff as a rail.'

Oh, Mr. White?

I'm sorry I made
such a bad job of it.

Oh, what are you sorry about?

- You're practically an ace.
- What do you mean?

Well, you brought me
back alive, didn't you?

[chuckles]

Hey, what's this?

[coughing]

What happened to you?

I must have done
something wrong.

My plane sank.

- Say, where's Cass?
- Changing clothes, I guess.

I think he's awfully
disappointed in me.

You must be pretty good to
sink a plane on Lt. Harrington.

Good?

If I'd had any sense I'd have

stayed out there and drowned.

When do you get your
solo check?

Late this afternoon.
When's yours?

Pretty soon, I guess.
You worried?

Not about going up,
coming down is what worries me.

I understand some of
the boys get so scared

they won't come down.

Is that so?
Well, how do they get 'em down?

Oh, they shoot 'em down.

Well, that's a little bit
drastic, don't you think?

What's the matter with you, Dan?

The big boar
just give me a down.

I'm supposed to see
the commandant, but..

It's no use kidding myself.
It will be this.

(Jerry)
'That's tough, kid.'

And I'd promised my girl
I'd bring her

a pair of gold navy wings
for a present.

[splashing]

Okay, once around the bay.

Make it plenty hot.

Mr. Harrington, is it true
they shoot you down

if you stay up too long?

Sure, they do.

You don't have to worry.

All you gotta do is bring it up,
and bring it down.

And remember, any landing
you can walk away from

is a good one.

He'll get along alright
without you flying the ship.

[splashing]

Crash!

[siren wailing]

Number 41 just hit
the sea wall.

[siren blaring]

Are you hurt?

Sir, I wish to report a crash.

Are you hurt?

- Nope.
- What a pity.

Scat, he's been up an hour.

He'll run out of gas
pretty soon.

Oh, my gosh.

Where are you going?

Back to the fleet.

It's just a question of time
till I'm busted out, isn't it?

I suppose so.

Well, why don't you say,
I told you so?

Yes, I told you so.

I told you,
you were going to be a flop.

But I didn't believe it.

I didn't believe a word of it.

(Jerry)
'Oh, darn it, Cass.
Why don't you ball me out?'

What for?

You're not going anywhere
for a while.

Well...why?

Because I found out
what was the matter

with your flying.

Your cockpit's been overcrowded.

It's built for one, and you've
been packing three around them.

This egg, your father,
and yourself.

You've been trying to live up
to too many reputations.

- Yeah, you see?
- Yeah.

And I caught on to your part
in this little mix-up

when I saw you two this morning.

Jerry's nerves are
tied up into knots

because you heckle him
into a case of the jitters

every time you get near him.

Now, why don't you
stay away from him

and let me
do the instructing?

- Remember he's my student.
- You see?

Jimmy Randel's gonna give you
another solo check.

Now, don't try and be
the best flyer out there.

Just be a good flyer.

Don't try to make
perfect turns..

...make good turns.

And don't try to make
a perfect landing either.

Be content to make a
fair-to-middling-sloppy landing.

Yes, sir.

Now, let's see you
get out there and do your stuff.

And as for you..

Disappear somewhere, will ya?

Here.

[splashing]

Well, how was it?

At least you followed
White's instructions.

Was fair to middling,
and pretty sloppy.

Thanks. I knew you'd get around
to telling me how great I am.

[indistinct chatter]

[chattering continues]

This is what you get
for being last in solo.

(all)
One! Two!

Three! And four!

[all cheering]

Remember, we're teaching you to
stunt, not for the thrill of it

but to train you
for combat flying.

To enable you to handle your
ship under all conditions.

Now, the first thing
to learn is..

Try that loop again.
And watch your controls!

That step roll was rigged.

Try it again and remember if you
lose plane speed you spin.

Say, I found out what's wrong

with the wing setters
of my fighter.

I'll warn ya, Irene,
if you marry Cass

there will come a day
when you will be

suing an aeroplane failing
a nation of perfection.

There's enough evidence right
here for a breach of promise.

It's a good thing
I was raised in the navy.

To think I have to
play second fiddle

to an overpowered
flying machine.

Well, pretty soon
it's going to be worse.

Oh, how could it be, darling?

I hardly see you as it is.

You're not gonna see me
at all for about two weeks.

So I've beefed up
the center section.

I'm taking
my designs to Washington.

The Navy's asked for
my designs and this time

the plane's
going to be acceptable.

Darn that plane.

Say, you don't know
when you're well off.

Cass and his doodlebug may be
gone but you'll still have me.

- Will I?
- Yep.

- We'll go dancing every night.
- No matinees?

We'll play tennis
and ride horseback.

Oh, have you given up flying?

Ah, don't pay
any attention to him.

And, uh, we'll swim.

You're going to
make a marvelous

brother-in-law, mister. Can you
stay away a month, darling?

No. Two weeks. That's all
you get. In the meantime..

- Let's dance.
- Ah, that's better.

[swing music]

[serene music]

What's the matter?

Gonna have to put you
back in the hothouse.

This outdoor light's
giving you freckles.

Really? And me without a mirror.
Are there many?

Did you ever see a turkey egg?

Is it that bad?

I like girls with freckles.

That covers a lot of territory.

Well, I'll narrow
the field down a little bit.

I like...you
and your twin sister.

But I've told you and told you
I haven't got a twin sister.

- Canada gets all the breaks.
- What do you mean?

Well, think how nice it'd be
if there were five of you.

[laughing]

My name'd probably be Yvonne.

Nope, that'd be
your sister's name.

I could go for
Yvonne in a big way.

You think she'd like me?

She'd like you a lot, Jerry.

Let's swim out to the raft.

Still thinking
about my freckles?

Nope, I was thinking of Yvonne.

I think she'd be
something pretty near perfect.

She wouldn't be as perfect
as you'd think, Jerry.

She'd be selfish,
for one thing.

And she'd want so terribly to be
happy that she'd make mistakes.

And then she wouldn't
have the courage

to do anything about them.

Sometimes she'd feel
pretty disgusted with herself.

She wouldn't be
that way at all, Irene.

She'd have a lot of courage.

She'd be generous and kind.

Just being near her and helping
to make her happy would be about

the greatest break
a fella could have.

And having you
feel that way, Jerry..

...would bring her more
happiness than she deserved.

[engine revving]

Fella seems
a little out of bounds.

Is he?

Cass'll be back some time today.

I know.

[instrumental music]

We'd better go back.

Yes, I suppose so.

Hello, you two.

Jerry.

Well, you must have good news.

Good news, I'm loaded with it.

Not only is the Navy Department
going ahead with my plane

but the big board
has selected me for promotion

to the noble estate
of Lieutenant Commander.

- Congratulations, Cass.
- Thanks.

And as for you, kid,
you're gonna be

Lieutenant Junior Grade
one of these days.

The big board
has selected you too.

Oh, that's swell.

Swell? Is that all you can say?

Well, I'm tickled to death.

Then why don't you act like it?

What's the matter
with you, flathead?

You got trouble or something?

I'm alright.

Say, I know what's
the matter with him.

You know, the first promotion
always affects you like that.

Darling, will you
drive me to town?

There's something
I want to say to you

that's none of Jerry's business.

In fact, I think,
we'll let him walk.

You know, it might
pull him out of his tail flip.

Bye.

Why aren't you out flying?

Oh, I don't feel so good.

Well, I saw the doc,
he said there was

nothing the matter with you.

- Did he?
- Yes.

Looks to me like
you're just doggin'.

'Why don't you snap out of it?'

- Oh, I'm sick of flying.
- You're what?

(Jerry)
'I'm sick of flying!'

You're not sick of flying,
you're sick in your head.

'Now you've got
something awfully important'

'on your mind,
so what is it?'

Listen, Cass,
there are some things

in my life that
don't concern you.

Well, romance is wonderful,
isn't it?

Aah, what are you
talking about?

I know all the symptoms.

Every time you
get a case of puppy love

you go Shakespeare on me.

You're Romeo and she's Juliet.

And you end up walkin' down the
road with a gate under your arm

sighing like a furnace.
Who's the girl?

None of your..
There isn't any girl.

Now let's see,
there was that redhead

but you didn't seem to like her.

And there was
Captain Smith's daughter--

Will ya cut it out?

Then there was
that Spencer girl

but she married that marine.

Ah, let's see now.

I've been gone about two weeks.

Hey. Couldn't be
Irene, could it?

You're crazy!

Don't try to kid me,
look at your face.

I leave you two weeks alone
with Irene and you wind up

with a violent case
of unrequited love.

I am not in love with Irene.

If you wanna
think that of me, go ahead.

Think I'm any kind of
double-crosser you want to.

Don't be so dramatic,
nobody's accusing you.

After all, people don't
fall in love deliberately

it just happens.

Anyway, why shouldn't you
fall for Irene?

Everybody does.

That's why I
fell in love with her.

The only startling thing is
why she fell in love with me.

Alright, Irene's in love with
you, and you're in love with her

and I'm not in love with anybody
so shut up and go away, will ya?

Now that I know what's wrong
with you, I know the cure.

Will ya please go away?

What you need some
altitude and some headwind

to wipe the bugs out of
that conk of yours. Come on!

Hey! Say!

(Cass)
'Come on.'

Now you know precisely
what you're expected to do.

So I'm not going to say
a word to you

unless you start going haywire.

As long as I'm silent you'll
know you're doing alright.

If you head for trouble
I'll pull you out of it.

Message for you, lieutenant.
You wanna wait?

Okay!

What happened, sir?

Harrington's
up there, flying blind

and he doesn't know
I'm not with him.

You mean there isn't
anybody to help him out

if he gets in a jam up there?

Good luck, good luck,
good luck. Good luck!

Gosh! I'm upside down!

What's wrong, Cass?

Jerry left his instructor
on the beach.

He's up there
flying blind, alone.

Well, here we are, sir.

Was as simple as
falling off of a log.

[splash]

Watch arms beyond.
That's his last down.

Too bad, he was a good kid.

That's why I hated
to give him a down.

You like me to
give him another check?

That might be a good idea.

Maybe I've got
the end-in sign on.

Alright, I'll do it
some time this morning.

- Thanks, Cass.
- Well, don't thank me.

After all, you yanked
Jerry out of his slump.

Now if I can save a student
for you we're still not even.

[car honking]

That reminds me.
I had a date.

Sorry, Irene,
I can't make it.

So I'll have to cancel
that tennis date.

I have to give a cadet
a special check flight.

You see, I'm trying to
save him from being busted out.

- Oh, Cass, I'm sorry.
- Yes.

Why don't you take up Jerry?

Oh, on second thoughts,
I guess you better not.

You see, uh, Jerry's going
through an acute phase of

growing pains
known as puppy love.

- Oh?
- Yeah.

So I guess you better not
see him till it gets over.

Well, what have I
got to do with it?

You're the one
he's in love with.

Did he say that?

No, but you should have seen his

face when I accused him of it.

Don't worry about it, dear,
he'll get over it in a week.

He always does. In the meantime

why don't you run along
and amuse yourself?

I'll try to get together
with you tonight, huh?

Goodbye.

[waves crashing]

- Hello, Jerry.
- Hello, Irene.

I thought you were to
play tennis with Cass.

I was, he's busy.

Oh.

I haven't seen much of Cass
since he's been back.

Well, he's got
a lot of work to do.

Just as well..

I've had time
to think things over.

And I've had time
to realize that..

I was about to make a mistake
that would have

hurt him as well as me.

What do you mean?

I'm going to tell Cass
I can't marry him.

- Have you been quarreling?
- No.

He's been just as sweet
as ever to me.

And that's what's gonna make it
difficult for me to tell him.

Then don't tell him,
Irene. Think it over.

I have been thinking it over.

Cass was gone two weeks
and he's been back three days.

And during that time I've..

I've come to realize
I'm not in love with him.

But Cass is crazy
about you, Irene.

You can't do this to him,
it'll break his heart.

Would it be fair to marry him,
feeling the way I do?

But you'll change
your mind again.

Why, Cass is the finest fellow
in the world.

He's the squarest,
the most honest and kind.

And he's one of the greatest--

He's all of that, Jerry.

And his greatness
is what attracted me to him.

But you were right
and I was wrong

when I thought
that it was love.

I can't marry him.

What changed your mind?

I've fallen in love
with someone else.

But you can't know
anyone that'll make

you happier than Cass, Irene.

Let's stop deceiving
each other, Jerry.

You know how I feel.

And I know how you feel.

Neither of us
wanted it that way.

We've both been
fighting against it.

But sometimes things happen
to people that they can't help.

That they don't want
to have happened.

And it happened to us.

Aren't you gonna let me keep
some shred of dignity, Jerry?

Are you gonna make me
tell you I love you before

you say anything to me?

We can't talk
about it, Irene.

We can't even think about it.

I know how you hate
to hurt Cass, Jerry.

And I love you
for your loyalty.

But it can't change things
between Cass and me.

You figure things
out for yourself.

No matter what you decide..

...I'm gonna try
to live up to..

...to whatever
code of ethics I have.

Tommy.
Is Cass around?

Hello, Irene.
Cass is up there with a student.

If anybody can take the kinks
out of him, Cass is the man.

Yes, I guess so.

[aeroplane droning]

Take it easy, kid.

Just neutralize
your rudder bar

and bring your stick
forward just past neutral.

Pull her out of it, Cass.
Pull her out of it!

Now let me
have the stick.

'Just sit back and relax.'

[siren wailing]

[whistles]
'That's a nasty one.'

- Take this!
- No, I won't.

What's the matter with this
hospital, haven't they

discovered by now that you can't
cure broken bones with medicine?

'It's for your nerves,
and I'm getting tired'

'of arguing with you
about it, you big baby!'

Alright, alright, then, go away,
go away with that thing--

Thanks.

Listen, when I get up
I'll break your neck.

If you get up.

- How'd you find out?
- Find out what?

About my not getting up.

I didn't find it out.
And it's not true, Cass.

Well, the doc was here this
morning with four specialists.

They all voted
the same ticket.

I'm grounded for good.

Ah, the woods
are full of specialists.

They can be mistaken,
same as anybody else.

I don't care what they say,
you'll be as good as new.

You're in better shape
than Ormsby

and he's up
and around already.

Listen, you're neither
a doctor nor a fortune-teller.

Why do you say
silly things like that?

Not giving up
on you, Cass.

No, I'm just looking
facts in the face.

I'm not looking
for sympathy, either.

- I'm sorry.
- Oh, I'm sorry too.

Sure.

Well...looks like you'll be
carrying the ball from now on.

Oh, that won't be so bad.

You and dad ran up
a pretty good score.

All I've gotta do
is follow the interference.

Yeah, but I want you
to show them the way.

I want you to be the best
fighting pilot in the Navy.

I'm going in for big boats.

- I said fighting planes!
- Big boats.

Oh, an aerial truck driver
on an ice wagon.

'That's what you'll be.'

A big boat isn't an ice wagon.

And it takes a darn sight
better man to fly one

than it does to herd
one of your fighting doodlebugs.

If you weren't young
and stupid, I'd argue with you.

Yeah? And if you weren't old and
flipped it'd be I'd argue back.

Oh, big boats have a crew
like a submarine.

When you're in a fighting plane
you're on your own.

You're as close as you'll
ever come to having your wings.

You got the wind in your face,
you're part of the ship

and it's part of you.

That motor, it's a living thing
and it obeys you.

Nothing over
your head but the sky

and you can
reach up and touch it.

When you're happy you can..

...you can play
like a kid on a blue lawn.

You zoom, dive and loop!

And you chase clouds like a cat
after a ball of yarn.

And..

Oh, what's the use?

Wasting my breath.

'You don't even know
what I'm talking about.'

Yes, I do, Cass,
I understand. But..

- What is it?
- Throw this guy out.

He annoys me.

[aeroplane droning]

How is he, Jerry?

They don't think
Cass'll ever walk again.

Oh.

Means he'll have to
quit the navy.

And you know what
the service means to him.

Yes, I know.

He's lost all that now.

All he's got
to hang on to is..

Well, all he's got left..

I understand.

- Good girl, Irene.
- And you?

Well, I got a lot
of flying to do.

Good boy, Jerry.

[aeroplane droning]

[explosion]

[explosion]

[explosion]

[gunshots]

[patriotic music]

Graduating class
all present, sir.

Graduating class
all present, sir.

Take your post.

- Good luck.
- Thank you, sir.

- Good luck.
- Thank you, sir.

- Good luck.
- Thank you, sir.

Mr. Harrington, you're the third
of your name to wear navy wings.

I hope you wear them
with as much distinction

as those who went before you.

- Thank you, sir.
- Good luck.

Class dismissed!

[patriotic music]

[indistinct chatter]

Well, how's it feel?

I've been looking
forward to it so long

now it's happened,
I can't believe it.

I was never
so surprised in my life.

Right up to the very
last minute I expected

somebody to come running
towards me with his thumb

hanging down
like a banana. Ha ha.

Well, you've earned your wings.

I'm kinda proud of you.

You gave me my wings,
Mr. Harrington.

Every time I get into a ship
you'll be in the air with me.

I'll be Cass Harrington
flying the plane.

'You gave wings
to a lot of others.'

'As long as one of us
can handle a stick'

'you'll never be grounded.'

Oh, what are you guys
hanging around here for?

You've got your wings,
haven't you?

Well, get out
and celebrate before they

find out their mistake
and take them away from you.

This is your day to howl,
so go on out and howl.

Goodbye, Senor Harrington.
And thank you.

It is my fondest hope
that I may serve my country

as gallantly as you
have yours, sir.

- Congratulations.
- Thanks.

Thanks.

I suppose you'll be
going back to the fleet now.

Yes, I will.

Goodbye, and good luck.

Goodbye, Irene.

And...thanks.

Goodbye, Jerry.

Goodbye.

[aeroplanes droning]

[aeroplanes droning]

Look at that big roof.

Boy, if I owned a plane
like that I could spray

all the boll weevils
in the state of Texas.

This one's gonna be
my personal property.

I'm gonna rent a room
and sleep there.

When she goes to Honolulu,
I'm gonna be at the yoke.

There's a lot
of crackerjack big boat pilots

that won't get
a chance at that hop.

So if you boys get to Honolulu
in the next few months

it'll be in a battle wagon.

Does anyone issue
orders against trying?

No, and I'm all for you.

But I'll bet you ten to one
you'll be on the ground

waving at the flight
when it leaves for Honolulu.

I can get better odds than that
right around the corner.

- Are you Mr. Parsons?
- That's right.

We were ordered to report
to you for big boat instruction.

Alright, you've got
lot to learn.

Get aboard and get in
your flight jackets.

Come on,
let's get at it.

- Morning, sir.
- Morning!

Fix them up
with flight gear.

When you get set,
come forward.

- Good morning.
- Morning, sir.

- How's everything?
- Fine, sir.

(Parsons)
'Come on!'

It's okay. This is Smitty, the
best plane captain on the fleet.

- Harrington, Allen.
- Hello.

- Hi.
- How do you do?

Tad, let Harrington
have your seat.

Aye aye, sir.

Lock your safety belt.

Tower, what's your
oil temperature?

Sixty-five degrees, sir.

Go.

Tower, are we ready
to take off?

Aye aye, sir.

I'm adjusting the tab.

[droning]

Keep the manifold
pressure above 30.

[droning]

(Parsons)
'Watch those floats go up.'

Put her in cruising combination.

Before we come back you'll see
how one of these big boats

will defend itself against
an attack by smaller planes.

I didn't believe anything
this big could fly.

The only difference
between this and a submarine

is this has got wings.

Do you wanna take over
for a while?

- How does she feel?
- Smooth as silk.

[droning]

Here comes the attack.
Better let me take over.

Put her in maneuvering
combination.

Take your battle stations.

They'll attack.
[indistinct] blast the targets

it means we do the same thing
to enemy ships.

[gunfire]

Got that one.

[gunfire]

Got that baby too.

Go back to cruising combination.

[droning]

Oh, she's a honey.

A baby!

How lovely she is.

Well, these things
get you, don't they?

Well, I'll see you later.
I'm gonna take care of my baby.

So long.

Well, if the cavalry
ever gets in a jam

this ought to carry
a great big load of hay.

Is that so?

Why, Cass!
When did you get in?

About an hour or so ago.

- How's the boy?
- Oh, he couldn't be better.

Say, it's well to see,
but why didn't you

let me know
you were coming?

Oh, I figured you'd find out
when I got here.

- So you're flying that, huh?
- Yep.

Ain't she beautiful?
If she could only cook.

Hmm, wait'll they
accept my ship.

Fly the wings off
of this thing.

Alright, I won't quarrel
with you.

I'm too glad
to see you looking so well.

Didn't I tell
you'd be as good as new?

Hmm, fine, tell the navy
examining board that.

Every time I try to convince
them I'm fit for service

they give me that.

Well, there's other things
besides the navy.

- How's Irene?
- Oh, she's fine.

Say, if it weren't for that girl

they'd have sewed me up
in canvas long ago.

- Where is she?
- She's here.

Gonna stay with some relatives
until they test my ship.

- Oh, that's well.
- Yep.

When I get that off my chest
we're going to get married.

She's awfully anxious
to see you.

Why don't you come over
and say hello?

Well, I've got
to stay around here.

- I've got some things to do.
- Okay.

Well, we'll see you
this evening then, huh?

- Fine.
- Ha.

[instrumental music]

Hello, Cass.
It's Captain March.

- Bureau of Aeronautics.
- Glad to know you, sir.

I hope your plane comes through.

The navy could
use a ship like that.

Well, it's passed everything
but the terminal velocity test.

And if it is passes that today

the Navy Department
will owe you a lot of thanks.

Well, having the navy accept it
is all the thanks I need.

Excuse me, sir.
Here's our test drive.

Hello, Steve.

- All set?
- All set.

- How do you feel?
- Fine.

Well,
she's in a perfect shape.

Take her up to 15,000 feet.

Then take it down
to 10,000 and pull her out.

Try to shove that accelerometer
reading right off the dial.

- I'll try.
- Give it a work.

Try to tear
the wings off of your cap.

I don't think you can,
but try anyway.

- Okay.
- And listen.

If you find she won't take it
for heaven's sake

bail out in time.

I'll try and get her down
all in one piece.

But if I get in a jam, don't
worry about me bailing out.

Okay, good luck.

[engine revving]

[droning]

[no audio]

Jump, Steve, jump!

[crashing]

[siren wailing]

[dramatic music]

I wouldn't take it
too hard, Cass.

How else would I take it?

Well, you've got another plane
ready for testing.

And I suppose there's another
test pilot somewhere like Steve

who's ready to die, in a coffin.
Designed by Cass Harrington.

(Jerry)
'Well, how do you know
it was the plane that failed?'

Maybe it was Steve.

It ought to be a breeze
to take it through those tests.

I could do it myself.

Oh, you could?

Have you any idea
what happens to a test pilot

when he makes
a terminal velocity dive?

- I think I have.
- No, you haven't!

You have to take a cranky
unknown experimental plane

up to 15,000 feet.

Open the throttle
and shoot yourself

to Earth like a cannon ball.

The wind is like
a thousand knives

ready to rip and tear
out your wing fabric.

You're going between three
and four hundred miles an hour

straight down.

And when you pull back
on the stick

believe me, you'll pray.

The air has suddenly become
a brick wall

and if the seat
isn't stressed for 2000 pounds

you'll bust right
through the plane.

And in seconds your plane and
your body are shooting upward.

Everything inside of you
keeps on falling.

Every organ in your body is
out to be ripped out of place.

Your blood drains,
everything goes black.

You can't see, you can't breathe
and you're knocked out cold!

If you're lucky, you come to
before your crash.

And then you're liable to find
yourself in a death trap.

You try to jump,
but it's too late.

Something like that
happened to Steve today.

You think that's the kind
of a job for a kid like you?

Oh, I suppose not.

But even a kid
can have faith in what

his big brother
is trying to do.

Am I out of place, Cass?

Oh, of course not.

You're not out of place.

Sorry.

Yes, sir.

I don't suppose it will come
as a complete surprise

if I tell you that
we're planning a mass flight

of big boats to Honolulu.

That's all we've been
talking about, sir.

There's been some shifting
of flight personnel

and three commands are vacant.

As you three have been
selected for promotion

you're to be
made lieutenants.

Junior grade and assigned
to the Honolulu flight.

I congratulate you.

You mean, we're really
going along, sir?

Right.

- Yippee!
- Hey.

Please, uh, I can understand
your exuberance

but let's not convey
the impression that

someone is being
assassinated in here.

Here, put these
in water, will you?

- Hello, Irene. Where's Cass?
- I don't know, Jerry.

Maybe he's heard the news,
and he's avoiding me.

What news?

Well, with me, Irene,
you behold

a person of vast importance.

A man of consequence.

In other words,
a navy hotshot.

Would you mind telling me
what you're driving at?

From now on I'm a lieutenant,
junior grade.

- How marvelous.
- And that's not all.

I've been given command
of a big boat

and I'm gonna take part
in a mass flight

from here to Honolulu.

- Congratulations, Jerry.
- Thanks.

Wait till
Cass hears about this.

Will he be chagrined.
He said I'd never make it.

After I rub it in for a while,
we'll celebrate.

- What's the matter, Irene?
- Nothing.

Only, I wouldn't plan
on rubbing it in on Cass, Jerry.

I wouldn't plan
on celebrating either.

You don't think
I'd mean it, do you?

I know you'd just
be kidding, Jerry.

But you know, Cass has changed
a lot recently.

He's abnormally sensitive,
and he broods a lot

and whenever
I try to cheer him up

he just gets irritable.

It's that plane
of his, I suppose.

It looks as if
it's going to be abandoned.

And if it is, Cass will lose
everything he wants out of life.

Well, the plane's not
that important to Cass, Irene.

He'll get over it, and he'll
have a lot left to live for too.

- He'll have you, Irene.
- Yes, he'll have me.

But that's not enough, Jerry.

Can't you understand that?

No, I can't.

I know.

I didn't at first.

I made a bargain.

I accepted a job
and I thought that

by merely accepting it,
I had accomplished it.

Jerry, I did everything
I could to make Cass happy.

But in spite of it
I've realized that

nothing is as important
to Cass as a few yards of canvas

and steel tubing
and a motor.

That's not true, Irene.

- Cass loves you.
- Let's face facts, Jerry.

Cass has never
reconciled himself

to being out of the navy.

He feels he's only half a man,
that he's a failure.

That plane is asymbolto him.

If he can keep the navy's colors

on its wings, he'll feel
he's back in service again.

He won't mind being crippled.

He'll be happy again.

And if the plane's a failure..

...Cass will die.

Slowly inside.

And there's nothing
I can do about it.

Can't you see that, Jerry?

Yes, I can now.

You know, Irene..

...a long time ago I gave up
something I wanted very much.

And ever since then I've been
so busy feeling sorry for myself

that I never stopped
to consider that

there might be two sides
to that part.

I can't begin to match what
you've done, Irene.

But the least I can do is try.

If there's any way
in the world of keeping

navy colors on Cass' plane

I'm going to do it.

How, Jerry?

I don't know.

Hurry up there.
She goes up in 20 minutes.

It'll be ready.

I wouldn't test
that overpowered crank

for all dough in the world.

- Oh, that pilot must be crazy.
- Yeah.

You gonna look awfully silly
with all off this junk on.

Why don't you let
the doc put it on me?

You go get
your resignation back.

I told you, Scat,
that's out.

Look, Jerry, I'm gonna be
out of the navy soon.

Why should you give up
your whole career?

Let me resign
and test Cass' plane.

He gave me my wings, didn't he?

When a cadet gets out of
the navy, he gets a $1500 bonus.

$1500.

You'll need that
for spraying equipment.

There are a lot of potato bugs
in Iowa waiting for you to zoom.

If you let me help Cass,
the potato bugs can have Iowa.

This is strictly
a family affair.

Draw in your breath.

- What's that for?
- Keep your kidneys in place.

Draw in your stomach,
I want this good and tight.

What's that for?

Keep your liver intact.

Oh.

Better than having your insides
fall out, isn't it?

Put on your shirt.

Put this over your
flying suit. It'll help.

Pretty good idea
to yell as hard as you can

just before
you pull out of your dive.

Yell?

It'll tighten
the throat and stomach muscles

and keep the arteries
from puffing up.

Oh.

When the time comes

pull this as tight as you can.

It'll keep the blood
from draining out of the head.

There's nothing in his head,
or he'd let me make the flight.

Now you better wait here, dear.

Alright.

Where's the test pilot?

There's the guy.

- Jerry.
- Hi, Cass.

What're you doing
in that outfit?

Test pilots have
to dress like this.

It's a union rule.

You're not gonna
take that plane up.

- Why not?
- Because you can't.

It's against regulations
to test planes.

You'd be thrown out
of the navy.

Well, I'm not
in the navy anymore.

- What?
- I resigned my commission.

You're, you're not a..
Well, I won't let you do it.

It's already done.

Listen, you don't know
what you're up against.

- You haven't enough exp--
- Yeah, I know, papa.

Now run along and mind
your own business, will you?

You get that junk off. You're
not going to take that ship up.

Listen, Cass, for a long time
I've been trying

to prove to you that
I'm a better flyer than you are

even in your best days.

Today I'm going to
and in your plane too.

Kill that motor.

Cass, I'm gonna fly
that plane

if I have to knock
you cold to do it.

Now listen, that plane isn't
going up today, that..

- Take care of him.
- Take your hands off me.

I don't want to do
this, Cass.

But I gotta,
I gotta do it, Cass.

Hurry up, get in
the plane and get going.

Jerry! Jerry!

- Let her go.
- Take it easy, Cass.

When he comes down, I'll let you
sock me an hour for this.

[engine revving]

Oh, Cass, if anything
happens to Jerry..

I hope it works this time.

Good luck, good luck,
good luck.

Good luck, good luck,
good luck. Ouch.

[droning]

Look at that thing climb.

Good luck. Ouch.

Good luck. Good luck, Jerry.

[screaming]

[screaming]

[groans]

Please! Please!

[coughs]

[thud]

- Good boy, Cass.
- Congratulations, Cass.

- Congratulations.
- You alright, Jerry?

Take it easy, my boy.

There you are.

Jerry, you did it.
You gave my ship to the navy.

Well done, Jerry.

Well done.

You see, the kid
loves this service

as much as any man ever did.

That Honolulu flight meant
everything in the world to him.

And he gave it all up for me.

Please, sir,
cancel that resignation.

If not for my sake, well, then
for the sake of the old man.

You see, if he were alive it
would awfully important to him

to have at least
one Harrington in the navy.

I'm washed up.

Jerry is the only one left
to carry on.

You must do something, sir.

[patriotic music]

[indistinct chatter]

Attention.

Alright, carry on,
as you were.

Now you've all read
the Honolulu flight audits

but just to make certain
there'll be no mix up

I wanna stress these points.

First, don't shift your
carburetor settings

under any circumstance

without notifying me
and getting permission.

Second, there'll be no gabbing
over the radio phones.

Report your fuel consumption
according to schedule.

Otherwise, leave the air
clear of chatter.

Now, I have an appointment
for the [indistinct] high balls

at the Officers Club in Honolulu
in just 20 hours.

And I don't want to be late.

Let's get going.

I don't see him. You don't
suppose they've decided not to..

There he is.

(Cass)
Jerry.

Well, I hate to admit it, kid,
but I'm kinda proud of you.

Thanks, Cass. I waited a long
time to hear you say that.

Well, I've said it. Now don't
make me change my mind.

And remember, only one Irishman
got away with flying backwards.

So don't you try
to land in Cuba.

Well, I've checked my compass.
It'll be Honolulu or nothing.

Well, it better be.

Oh, uh, that reminds me,
there's something I..

- Well, I thought..
- What is it, Cass?

Oh, nothing, just remember,
the water's soft

unless you hit it hard.

So don't get wet.

I'll try not to.

We better be going.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye, Scat.

Oh, oh, Scat, just a minute.

I want you to do
something for me.

Yes, sir.

I'm afraid I'm getting
old and sentimental.

Anyway, when you get
into the air

I wish you'd ask Jerry
to wear these.

Yes, sir.

'See, I wore those
for a long time.'

Before that, my father had them.

Not quite as new
as Jerry's but..

...I think
he'd like to wear them.

I'm sure he would, sir.

Good luck.

Goodbye, Irene.

Goodbye, Jerry.

Lots of happiness.

Thanks.

Good luck, Jerry.

Plenty of visibility.

Thanks.

Carl, ready for take off?

Aye aye, sir.

And let her go.

There's a clipper ship taking
off to Honolulu tomorrow.

You'll be on it.

- I?
- Yes, you.

Now that I'm cured,
I'm firing the nurse.

That's gratitude for you.

- Cass.
- Now, now, now..

We're not going to have
any arguments about it.

Oh, Irene.

It's something I should've had
sense enough to see long ago.

Oh, and please don't think
that I'm hurt or angry or..

Or that I feel cheated.

Having known you
for a little while

will give me more happiness
than I've ever deserved.

[orchestral music]