Original subtitles

[ENGINE RUNNING]

CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY WARNER BROS. AND 1992 NCI CAPTION CLUB

"HERE AT THE GARDEN CITY HOTEL,

LESS THAN A MILE FROM ROOSEVELT FIELD"--

LESS THAN 3/4 OF A MILE--

"EVERYONE HAS BEEN WAITING

FOR SEVEN DAYS AND NIGHTS FOR THE RAIN TO STOP..."

THAT'S RIGHT.

PHONE THAT IN, WILL YOU?

ADD LINDBERGH STORY.

"AFTER MAKING FINAL INSPECTION

"OF HIS PLANE, THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS,

"LINDY RETURNED TO HIS HOTEL ROOM.

"THE AIR-MAIL PILOT WENT TO HIS ROOM

"AND WENT TO BED.

"HIS FRIEND FRANK MAHONEY OF RYAN AIRCRAFT

"IS STATIONED OUTSIDE HIS DOOR,

"GUARDING AGAINST ANY DISTURBANCES.

THE WORLD IS WAITING..."

* RIO RITA *

* LIFE IS SWEETER, RITA, WHEN YOU ARE NEAR *

* RIO RITA *

* LIFE'S COMPLETER, RITA, TO HAVE YOU HERE *

[VOLUME LOWERED]

* ALL I ASK FROM ABOVE *

* IS ONE DAY, YOUR LIPS WILL SAY, "I LOVE YOU" *

* RIO RITA *

* SENORITA, HERE IS MY HEART **

YES, FRANK?

I'M SORRY, SLIM.

THAT MUSIC WAKE YOU?

NO.

YOU'RE NOT SLEEPING YET?

NOPE, NOT YET.

CAN I GET YOU ANYTHING?

YOU WANT ANYTHING?

NO.

IT'S 1:30. YOU'D BETTER KNOCK IT OFF NOW.

ALL RIGHT, FRANK.

RIO RITA, LIFE IS SWEETER...

SWEETER...

SWEETER THAN WHAT?

COME ON NOW. GO TO SLEEP.

CUT YOUR MOTOR OUT. LET IT REST NOW.

MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE SLEPT IN THE HANGAR.

MAYBE THAT'S WHAT'S KEEPING ME AWAKE.

MAYBE I SHOULD BE WITH HER ON ROOSEVELT FIELD.

IT'S RAINING HARDER THAN EVER.

WELL, DON'T START WORRYING ABOUT THE WEATHER NOW.

IF I TAKE OFF AT DAWN,

I'LL BE OVER THE OCEAN AT NIGHT.

WELL, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

I'VE FLOWN HUNDREDS OF HOURS AT NIGHT.

I'M AN AIR-MAIL PILOT--

ST. LOUIS TO SPRINGFIELD TO PEORIA TO CHICAGO--

AND THE OCEAN CAN'T BE ANY WORSE

THAN SNOW, SLEET, AND FOG.

I DIDN'T HAVE A PLANE LIKE THIS EITHER,

JUST AN OLD BEAT-UP DE HAVILLAND,

AND NO GAS TO SPARE

AND NO LIGHTS ON THE FIELD.

BURT!

HELLO, BURT.

HELLO, SLIM. YOU ALL RIGHT?

I'M FINE.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT FROM PEORIA?

THIS FEELS LIKE THREE LETTERS AND A POST CARD.

LET'S HAVE IT.

I THINK WE'D BETTER TOP HER OFF.

YOU BETTER PUT THE MAIL ON THE TRAIN

AND WAIT TILL IT CLEARS.

GET ME A BUCKET OF GAS.

SLIM, YOU REALLY THINK

YOU OUGHT TO GO ON TO CHICAGO?

SURE.

SOME OF THIS MAIL'S

CONNECTING WITH THE TRANSCONTINENTAL.

THAT'S A MEAN-LOOKING SKY.

I CAN SMELL SNOW.

SUPPOSE YOU CHECK,

SEE IF THERE'S A RED LIGHT FROM CHICAGO.

HELLO. HOCHSTEDDER? THIS IS BURT.

SLIM'S DOWN HERE, ALL RIGHT.

ANY WARNING FROM CHICAGO?

NOTHING?

YOU SURE?

ALL RIGHT.

NOTHING FROM CHICAGO, SLIM.

I GUESS IT'S STILL OPEN, THEN.

HANDLE THE THROTTLE FOR ME.

YEAH.

HOW LONG CAN YOU FLY THESE WRECKS AND STAY ALIVE?

THEY OUGHT TO GET YOU SOME REAL AIRPLANES,

FIX THE LANDING FIELDS,

SET BEACONS ALONG THE WAY.

GOOD IDEA.

WANT TO LEND US SOME MONEY?

THE BANKERS DON'T BELIEVE IN COMMERCIAL AVIATION.

WHAT'S THE ANSWER?

SWITCH OFF?

SWITCH OFF.

CONTACT.

CONTACT.

[ENGINE STARTS]

GET THE WING, BURT.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

[RING]

THAT'S GOOD, BURT.

LOOK OUT NOW, SLIM.

I WILL.

[RING]

PEORIA AIRPORT, BURT SPEAKING.

YES. HE--HE'S JUST TAKING OFF.

WHAT?

HOLD IT, SLIM!

HOLD IT. HOLD IT.

HOLD IT. HOLD IT, SLIM. HOLD IT!

THERE'S A BLIZZARD IN CHICAGO!

THEY COULDN'T GET THROUGH BECAUSE THE LINES ARE DOWN!

HOLD IT!

[ENGINE SPUTTERING]

[ENGINE STOPS]

[CRASH]

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING]

AVIATOR?

YES, SIR.

OH, AIR MAIL, HUH?

THAT'S RIGHT.

FLYING KIND OF LOW.

WEATHER FORCED ME DOWN.

SO NOW THE SACKS GO ON THE TRAIN.

WENT BY MULE AWHILE.

HOW MUCH FOR AN AIR-MAIL LETTER?

16 CENTS.

TRAVELING 2-CENT STYLE NOW.

ANY REFUND?

NO.

WELL, IT'S A GYP, NOT PRACTICAL.

WE GET THROUGH 99% OF THE TIME.

NEWSPAPER'S FULL OF AEROPLANES FALLING DOWN.

HERE--CRASH UP IN NEW YORK.

TWO FELLOWS BURNED UP.

BOUND TO HAPPEN, TOO. THOSE THINGS ARE TOO HEAVY.

GOT TO FALL DOWN. NOTHING TO HOLD THEM UP.

CARE IF I LOOK AT THIS?

OH, SURE.

WELL, WHAT'S HOLDING THEM UP?

AIR.

AIR?

HA HA HA!

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT AEROPLANES,

BUT I KNOW ABOUT THINGS HOLDING THINGS UP.

IT'S MY BUSINESS.

OH, I SEE.

SCHULTZ IS THE NAME-- O.W. SCHULTZ,

ATLAS SUSPENDER COMPANY.

"WE HOLD UP THE PANTS

OF THE MIDDLE WEST."

HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST 75 YEARS.

NOW THEN, CAN YOU IMAGINE

ANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS DEPENDING ON AIR?

PRETTY FRIGHTENING THOUGHT,

ESPECIALLY IN THIS WEATHER.

HERE.

KEEP IT.

THANK YOU.

I'M A BELT MAN MYSELF.

BELT?

YES, SIR.

WHY, THAT'S SURE DEATH.

YOU KEEP STRANGLING YOUR GUT.

YOU'LL GET INDIGESTION.

YOU'LL GET APPENDICITIS

WHEN YOU'RE IN THE BACKWOODS

AND NO DOCTOR NEAR.

THEY FLY IN A DOCTOR, AEROPLANE FALLS,

DOCTOR GETS KILLED, AND YOU--

WELL, YOU DIE.

I LOST MY APPENDIX

WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS,

PEOPLE NOWADAYS ARE ALL BUGHOUSE--

BELTS, AEROPLANES.

THOSE FELLOWS WANTED TO FLY TO PARIS--

PARIS, FRANCE, THAT IS.

IT'S ACROSS THE OCEAN.

WHY NOT?

BUGHOUSE, JUST PLAIN BUGHOUSE.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN GET 10 FEET UP.

HOW COME?

WELL, SOMETHING JUST WENT WRONG,

MR. SCHULTZ.

YES. I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

THAT PLANE NEEDS MORE THAN AIR,

SOMETHING LIKE A GOOD PAIR OF SUSPENDERS.

HA HA HA!

HA HA HA!

HIYA, SLIM.

LOUIE.

MORNING.

JESSE.

WHAT'S FOR YOU?

COUPLE OF EGGS OVER, TOAST, NO BUTTER.

GROUND LOOP TWO, AND HOLD THE GREASE GUN.

OPERATOR.

HELLO?

GET ME THE LONG-DISTANCE OPERATOR.

[LOUIE] SOMEBODY SICK?

OPERATOR.

HELLO? LONG DISTANCE?

HOW MUCH TO CALL NEW YORK CITY?

$5.00 FOR 3 MINUTES, HUH?

CAN I BUY 1 1/2 MINUTES?

CAN'T, HUH?

YOU SURE?

YES, SIR.

OH.

ALL RIGHT. I'LL GO FOR THE WHOLE THREE.

GET ME THE COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT CORPORATION,

WOOLWORTH BUILDING, NEW YORK CITY.

YES, MA'AM. I'LL HOLD.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MONEY.

HERE.

THERE YOU ARE.

YOU'RE THROWING IT AROUND, AIN'T YOU?

PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS IMPRESSED

WHEN YOU CALL LONG-DISTANCE,

ESPECIALLY IN NEW YORK.

$5.00 WORTH OF IMPRESSING?

I WANT THEM TO SELL ME AN AIRPLANE.

PLANE?

IT'S BUILT TO FLY NON-STOP A LONG WAYS,

LIKE, FOR INSTANCE, FROM HERE IN ST. LOUIS

TO NEW YORK.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT'LL FLY FARTHER.

IF I STRIP EVERYTHING, ADD EXTRA TANKS,

I FIGURE IT'LL FLY THREE TIMES THAT FAR.

1, 2, 3--ALL THE WAY TO THAT KNOTHOLE.

WHAT'S THE KNOTHOLE?

PARIS.

PARIS?

OPERATOR.

HELLO. HELLO?

HELLO?

IS THIS COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT IN NEW YORK?

ALL RIGHT, SIR.

PUT ON ONE OF YOUR OFFICERS.

WHICH ONE?

I DON'T CARE WHICH.

MAYBE AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

ONE MOMENT, PLEASE.

LOOK, MISS. I'M TALKING LONG-DISTANCE, MISS.

WILL-- SHUT THE RADIO, HUH?

* BABY FACE **

HEY, SHUT YOUR FACE. HE'S TALKING LONG-DISTANCE.

OH.

HELLO. ARE YOU AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER?

YOU'RE THE PRESIDENT?

OY.

WELL, MY NAME IS CHARLES LINDBERGH.

I'M TALKING FROM ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

I REPRESENT A GROUP OF BUSINESSMEN.

WE'RE ORGANIZING A NEW YORK TO PARIS FLIGHT,

AND WE'VE BEEN CONSIDERING YOUR BELLANCA.

OH, SURE.

SURE, WE'D EXPECT TO BUY IT,

BUT COULD YOU QUOTE US A PRICE?

NOW ALL I HAVE TO DO

IS FIND A GROUP OF PROMINENT BUSINESSMEN WITH $15,000.

THAT'S ALL.

I'VE NEVER BEEN MUCH OF A TALKER, I GUESS,

BUT FOR SIX WEEKS,

I'VE TALKED MORE THAN I EVER HAVE IN MY LIFE.

SOME SAID NO, SOME SAID MAYBE.

THAT'S AS FAR AS I'VE GOTTEN.

HARRY KNIGHT-- HE'S A FLYING STUDENT OF MINE--

HAS ARRANGED FOR ME TO MEET SOME PEOPLE

IN THE STATE NATIONAL BANK.

SLIM.

SLIM, THIS IS HAROLD BIXBY OF THE BANK.

HAROLD'S ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

HELLO.

THIS IS E. LANSING RAY,

PUBLISHER OF THE ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT.

YOU KNOW EARL THOMPSON.

MAJOR LAMBERT.

BILL ROBERTSON.

OH, HELLO, BILL.

HELLO, SIR.

SIT DOWN, SIR.

OVER HERE, MR. LINDBERGH.

HAVE A CIGAR?

YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

WE'VE BEEN GOING OVER YOUR OUTLINE OF THE PROJECT.

YOU SAY HERE ON PAGE ONE,

"TO SHOW THE POTENTIALITIES OF FLIGHT,

"TO DRAMATICALLY DEMONSTRATE TO THE PUBLIC

THE POSSIBILITIES OF COMMERCIAL AVIATION"--

YOU SAY, "AVIATION IS NO LONGER A NEWBORN BABY.

"IT IS IN DANGER OF BECOMING A DWARFED STEPCHILD

UNLESS CAPITAL HAS ENOUGH FORESIGHT"--

YOU'D BETTER BITE THE END OFF.

OH.

THEN YOU SAY, "IF MEN OF MEANS AND VISION IN ST. LOUIS

"FINANCE THIS FLIGHT,

"IT WOULD ESTABLISH OUR CITY AS A HUB

OF THE FUTURE NATIONAL AIRWAYS."

THIS MAKES GOOD SENSE,

AND WE CERTAINLY ADMIRE YOUR SPIRIT,

BUT IS SUCH A FLIGHT FEASIBLE?

CAN IT BE DONE?

BEFORE WE AT THE GLOBE-DEMOCRAT

CAN LEND OUR SUPPORT,

WE MUST MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT FINANCING A SUICIDE.

WELL, THE IDEA OF SUICIDE

NEVER CROSSED MY MIND...

EXCEPT MAYBE WHEN I TOOK THIS CIGAR.

I'M SORRY, GENTLEMEN. I DON'T SMOKE.

MR. LINDBERGH, WHEN YOU TALK

ABOUT THIS FLIGHT STIMULATING AVIATION--

IN ABOUT 1921, A MAN WENT OVER NIAGARA FALLS

IN A BARREL.

I DON'T REMEMBER THIS STIMULATED

BARREL TRAFFIC ANYWHERE.

THAT WAS A STUNT, MR. THOMPSON.

I DON'T SIT ON FLAGPOLES OR SWALLOW GOLDFISH.

I'M A FLIER.

YOU SUGGEST FLYING IN A LAND PLANE.

WOULDN'T A SEAPLANE BE A SURER BET?

YOU COULD ALWAYS LAND IT ON THE WATER.

BUT THE IDEA ISN'T LANDING ON THE WATER.

THE IDEA IS LANDING IT ON LE BOURGET FIELD.

THIS BELLANCA YOU WANT IS A SINGLE WING?

YES. LESS DRAG, MORE LIFT.

AND A SINGLE ENGINE?

THAT'S RIGHT. IT CAN BE PURCHASED FOR $15,000.

I HAVE $2,000 OF MY OWN TO ADD.

YOU'VE GOT $2,070, TO BE EXACT.

I KNOW YOUR ACCOUNT.

I'D BETTER KEEP THE $70 FOR THAT RAINY DAY.

I KNOW $13,000 IS A LOT OF MONEY

WITHOUT SECURITY,

BUT IF WE WIN THE ORTEIG PRIZE--

$25,000 FOR THE FIRST NON-STOP TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

YOU'D GET YOUR MONEY BACK.

IF WE SHOULD DECIDE TO FINANCE THIS VENTURE,

IT WOULDN'T BE TO MAKE MONEY.

IT WOULD BE DONE IN THE SAME SPIRIT--

ISN'T THAT WHAT YOU SAID?

SPIRIT.

THE SAME KIND OF SPIRIT

THAT YOU YOURSELF--

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

THANK YOU, MAJOR LAMBERT.

MR. LINDBERGH, I'M IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS.

I'M INTERESTED IN PERCENTAGES.

IS A SINGLE-ENGINE PLANE SMART?

WOULDN'T A THREE-ENGINE PLANE BE SAFER?

THERE'S ALWAYS THE DANGER

OF AN ENGINE QUITTING,

BUT WITH THREE ENGINES,

YOU'RE MULTIPLYING THE DANGER.

YOU'RE GOING ALONE? NO NAVIGATOR? NO COPILOT?

ABSOLUTELY.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

THAT DEPENDS ON WIND.

I'D SAY AROUND 40 HOURS.

40 HOURS?

ONE MAN ALONE AT THE CONTROLS

FOR ALMOST TWO DAYS?

SAY I TOOK A COPILOT OR NAVIGATOR

WEIGHING 150 POUNDS.

THAT'S THE WEIGHT OF ENOUGH GASOLINE TO GO 200 MILES.

I'LL TAKE THE 200.

CAPTAIN LINDBERGH,

I'VE CROSSED THE ATLANTIC QUITE A FEW TIMES,

BY BOAT, OF COURSE.

MOST TIMES, YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE YOUR CIGAR TIP--

FOG, FOG, FOG.

I'M USED TO IT.

I FLY THROUGH SOUP A LOT,

ESPECIALLY IN WINTER.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT SLIM.

HE CAN FLY THROUGH ANY KIND OF SOUP

AND A MAIN COURSE, TOO.

JUST NO UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE.

GENTLEMEN, I THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

MR. LINDBERGH, HAVE YOU GOT A NAME

FOR THIS PLANE YET?

NO, SIR, NOT YET.

HOW WOULD THIS LOOK, GENTLEMEN?

I MEAN, IF WE WENT THROUGH WITH IT.

THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS.

I LIKE THAT FINE.

I MEAN, IF YOU DO IT.

THAT WOULD LOOK GOOD IN PARIS.

IT WOULDN'T LOOK SO GOOD IN THE OCEAN.

I CAN MAKE IT.

WHAT MAKES YOU SO SURE YOU CAN?

WELL, MR. BIXBY,

WHEN I WAS A KID, SMALLEST IN MY CLASS,

I DECIDED I WOULD BE 6 FEET, 3 INCHES TALL,

AND I MADE IT...

WITH 1/2 INCH TO SPARE.

I'M HERE TO SEE

THE PRESIDENT OF THE CORPORATION.

WELL, HE'S VERY BUSY.

WELL, HE'S EXPECTING ME.

I COME FROM ST. LOUIS.

I TOLD HIM I'D COME HERE DIRECTLY.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

YES. HERE'S MY CARD.

ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT OFFICE?

YES. I'VE CALLED HIM SEVERAL TIMES LONG-DISTANCE.

HMM. WAIT.

THIS WAY, PLEASE.

THANK YOU.

HOW DO YOU DO, SIR?

I CAME RIGHT FROM THE STATION.

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?

IT'S ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF THE BELLANCA.

YOU QUOTED A PRICE.

I DID, MR. SCHULTZ?

YES, SIR. YOU DID.

WHO'S MR. SCHULTZ?

I GUESS YOU ARE.

IT SAYS, "O.W. SCHULTZ.

"WE HOLD UP THE PANTS

OF THE MIDDLE WEST."

OH.

OH, I'M SORRY, SIR. THAT'S THE WRONG CARD.

I'M CHARLES LINDBERGH.

OH, MR. LINDBERGH OF ST. LOUIS.

YES, SIR.

WELL, SIT DOWN.

THANK YOU.

WELL, WE READY TO DO BUSINESS?

YES. ALL THE FINANCING IS ARRANGED.

I, UH--I HAVE A CASHIER'S CHECK

RIGHT HERE-- $15,000.

I HOPE WE CAN CLOSE THE DEAL TODAY.

I DON'T SEE WHY NOT.

I'LL HAVE MY LAWYER

DRAW UP THE PAPERS.

WE'RE ANXIOUS TO GET BACK TO ST. LOUIS

TO START THE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS.

WE CAN DO THAT HERE IN NEW YORK.

I HAVEN'T DECIDED ON THE PILOT, THOUGH.

WE HAVE THE PILOT.

YOU DO?

YES, SIR.

LOOK, WE'RE PERFECTLY WILLING

TO SELL THE PLANE,

BUT THE CHOICE OF PILOT IS OURS.

YOU DIDN'T MENTION THAT BEFORE.

I DIDN'T THINK IT NEEDED MENTIONING.

I THINK IT DID.

WE JUST CAN'T HAVE ANYBODY FLYING OUR PLANE.

IS IT FOR SALE OR NOT?

ONLY WITH THIS CONDITION.

YOU COULD HAVE SAVED ME A LONG TRAIN TRIP.

WHO DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?

ME!

YOU?

"CHIEF PILOT, ST. LOUIS-CHICAGO AIR MAIL."

LOOK, MR. LINDBERGH, I DON'T MEAN TO BELITTLE YOU,

BUT NEW YORK TO PARIS

ISN'T LIKE DROPPING OFF A MAILBAG.

ANYBODY WANT TO BUY A NICE FUNERAL OUTFIT?

WE'RE NOT DEAD YET, SLIM.

THEY WOULDN'T SELL THE AIRPLANE,

LIKE I SAID OVER THE PHONE.

YOU CAN GO AHEAD.

HANDLE ALL THE STUFF FROM NEW YORK,

PILOT AND EVERYTHING.

TAKE THIS BEFORE I WEAR IT OUT.

WE DON'T WANT ANOTHER PILOT.

LET'S GET ANOTHER PLANE.

THERE ISN'T ANOTHER FOR OUR BUDGET.

HAVE ONE BUILT.

BUILT? YOU KNOW HOW LONG THAT WOULD TAKE?

OTHER FLIERS ARE PLANNING THIS FLIGHT.

BYRD, CHAMBERLIN, WOOSTER AND DAVIS,

THOSE FRENCHMEN NUNGESSER AND COLI--

THEY'D ALL BE AHEAD OF US.

WE'VE CHECKED SOME AIRCRAFT FACTORIES.

THE RYAN COMPANY IN SAN DIEGO

SAYS THEY'LL DO IT IN 90 DAYS OR LESS.

I NEVER HEARD OF THEM.

THEY TALK BIG IN THEIR TELEGRAM,

LIKE THEY HAD A HUGE PLANT AND 10,000 WORKMEN.

I WOULDN'T GAMBLE WITH YOUR MONEY.

GO LOOK THEM OVER.

IT'S LIKE THROWING ANOTHER $200 AWAY.

HERE'S YOUR TICKET TO SAN DIEGO.

WE SHOULD TALK THIS OUT.

TALK FAST BECAUSE THERE'S YOUR TRAIN.

YOU MEAN THIS IS THE ONE--

WELL, I'D BETTER GET ON, THEN.

SO LONG, SLIM.

I BEG YOUR PARDON.

WHERE ARE THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES?

WHERE ARE THE WHAT?

I'M LOOKING FOR THE BOSS.

OH, MR. MAHONEY. THE OFFICE SHACK IS UP THERE.

BUT THAT'S HIM OVER THERE,

WITH THE GOGGLES.

THANK YOU.

WHAT KIND OF FISH ARE THOSE?

SANDDABS.

I'VE NEVER SEEN THOSE BEFORE.

YOU FROM CALIFORNIA?

NO, SIR.

IT'S A CALIFORNIA FISH.

SMELL GOOD.

YOU HUNGRY?

I WOULDN'T MIND.

WELL, HERE.

YOU DO BUILD AIRPLANES HERE, DON'T YOU?

YOU BET YOUR LIFE. HIGH-WING MONOPLANES.

THEY USE THEM ON THE COASTAL MAIL RUNS.

PERFECT RECORD, TOO.

THINGS JUST A LITTLE QUIET NOW?

MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE WE BUILD THEM TOO GOOD.

REAL TOUGH PLANES. STAY UP FOREVER.

LOOKING FOR A JOB? YOU AN AIRPLANE MECHANIC?

I HAVE BEEN.

CHECK AGAIN. WE'RE HIRING SOON.

EXPECT A RUSH ORDER FROM ST. LOUIS.

I SEE.

THEY WANT A SPECIAL DESIGN

WITH A 4,000-MILE RANGE.

HEY, DON! COME AND GET IT!

THIS SPECIAL DESIGN-- ARE YOU EQUIPPED

TO HANDLE ANYTHING LIKE THAT?

YOU BET YOUR LIFE... UNLESS THEY WANT

A BUILT-IN SHOWER OR A CRYSTAL CHANDELIER.

I SUPPOSE NOT.

THAT'S THE GUY THAT DESIGNS THEM-- DONALD HALL.

HE'S OUR CHIEF ENGINEER, BEST IN THE BUSINESS.

WHEN'S THE BIGWIG FROM ST. LOUIS SHOWING UP?

SOMETIME TODAY.

I'VE MADE SOME ROUGH CALCULATIONS.

CAN'T USE A STANDARD RYAN FUSELAGE

WITH THAT MUCH GAS.

MAKE THE WING 10 FEET LONGER,

BEEF UP THE LANDING GEAR,

A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

CAN YOU BUILD HER IN 90 DAYS OR LESS?

BET YOUR LIFE.

WILL SHE FLY?

SURE. BET YOUR LIFE.

I DON'T EXACTLY LIKE HOW YOU PUT THAT.

I'M TO BE THE PILOT.

YOU ARE? WHO'S HE?

I DON'T KNOW.

WHO ARE YOU?

I'M THE BIGWIG FROM ST. LOUIS.

FOR PETE'S SAKE, FRANK.

FINALLY WE GET A CHANCE AT A GOOD ORDER,

AND YOU MAKE HIM FRY FISH?

HOW WAS I TO GUESS?

I'M TERRIBLY SORRY.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

EAT THE SANDDABS AND GET TO WORK.

WE'RE WORKING ON THE MAIN GAS TANK NOW.

YOU'RE SURE YOU WANT IT BEFORE THE COCKPIT?

SLIM'S IDEA. IT'S A GOOD ONE.

IF I CRASH-LAND, I DON'T WANT TO BE

BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE GAS.

YOU'LL BE IN A BLIND COCKPIT.

THERE'S A WINDOW ON EACH SIDE.

WELL, SUPPOSE YOU LET US

SET THIS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

IT'S A SORT OF PERISCOPE.

IT'S A COUPLE OF MIRRORS IN A BOX.

OLD MAN RANDOLPH DESIGNED IT.

HELP YOU LOOK AHEAD. MIGHT HELP YOUR LANDING.

HOW MUCH IT WEIGH?

NOTHING. A COUPLE OF POUNDS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WE CAN STAND IT.

ALL RIGHT. PUT IT IN.

HOW ABOUT THE RADIO?

WE'VE DECIDED AGAINST IT.

NO RADIO? THE OTHER PILOTS ARE TAKING RADIOS.

THEY HAVE BIG PLANES. IT'S TOO HEAVY.

YOU'LL NEED A SEXTANT.

YOU CAN'T OPERATE A SEXTANT

AND FLY AT THE SAME TIME.

HOW WILL YOU NAVIGATE?

DEAD RECKONING.

TAKE A COMPASS HEADING OUT OF NEW YORK,

CORRECT IT EVERY 100 MILES.

WHAT HAPPENS OVER THE WATER?

WATCH THE WAVES, ALLOW FOR DRIFT--

AND HOPE THE LORD WILL DO THE REST.

I NEVER BOTHER THE LORD. I'LL DO THE REST.

MIGHT NEED HELP.

IT'LL GET IN THE WAY.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS FOR THE SHOCK ABSORBERS.

GET GOING. WE'RE WAY BEHIND.

WOOSTER AND DAVIS ARE READY FOR THEIR TEST FLIGHTS.

MAYBE WE STARTED TOO LATE.

WELL, LET'S KEEP PLUGGING ANYWAY.

FRANK, WE SAID WE COULD DO THE JOB

IN 90 DAYS OR LESS.

LET'S DO IT IN LESS.

HOW MUCH LESS?

A LOT LESS.

WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

O.K. LET ME TALK TO THE MEN DOWNSTAIRS.

I'LL ASK THEM TO GO ON A 24-HOUR SCHEDULE.

THERE IT IS.

THEY'VE HAD ONE OF THESE J5 WHIRLWINDS

ON THE TEST BLOCK

FOR AS MUCH AS 150 CONSECUTIVE HOURS.

40 CONSECUTIVE HOURS WOULD BE FINE WITH ME.

WE SHOULD HANG IT ON A CHRISTMAS TREE.

SLIM, HAVE YOU SEEN THE PAPER?

NO. WHAT'S THE MATTER?

WOOSTER AND DAVIS-- THEY'RE OUT OF IT.

THEY CRACK UP?

KILLED... TESTING WITH A FULL LOAD OF GAS.

ALL RIGHT, MEN!

HA HA HA! HA HA HA!

APRIL 28th-- 63 DAYS FROM THE AFTERNOON

HALL TRACED THE SPIRIT'S OUTLINE IN THE SAND.

WE HAUL THE SPIRIT OUT TO DUTCH FLATS

FOR HER TESTS.

[ENGINE STARTS]

WE'RE SHOVING OFF THIS AFTERNOON.

WE'RE GOING TO ST. LOUIS, NEW YORK,

AND THEN WE'LL TRY FOR THE BIG ONE.

WE--THAT'S ME, THE PLANE, AND YOU, TOO,

BECAUSE IN A SENSE,

WE'LL BE FLYING THE ATLANTIC TOGETHER, ALL OF US.

THANK YOU.

[CHEERING]

LET'S GET A PICTURE. STAND ALONGSIDE THE PLANE.

SHORT ONES IN FRONT,

TALL ONES IN BACK.

SLIM, YOU'RE WANTED ON THE PHONE.

THAT'LL WAIT. GET IN THE PICTURE.

IT'S THE NEWSPAPER. TALK TO THEM.

WHY?

THEY'RE ASKING IF YOU'RE CHANGING YOUR PLANS NOW.

WHY SHOULD I CHANGE PLANS NOW?

BECAUSE YOU-- LOOK, TALK TO THEM.

LINDBERGH SPEAKING.

[REPORTER] ARE YOU CHANGING PLANS?

MY PLANS ARE TO LEAVE FOR ST. LOUIS TODAY.

HERE'S AN A.P. DISPATCH FROM PARIS.

TWO FRENCH FLIERS NAMED NUNGESSER AND COLI

LEFT FOR NEW YORK THIS MORNING.

NUNGESSER AND COLI? I HAVE THAT. NOW GO ON.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION NOW THAT NUNGESSER AND COLI

ARE OVER THE ATLANTIC?

WILL YOU GO AHEAD?

WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

OF COURSE, THINGS LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT NOW.

THEY'RE EXPERIENCED. THEY'LL BE ON SCHEDULE.

YOU PLAN TO GO AHEAD?

YES.

THANK YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

A PLANE LOADED WITH THAT MUCH GAS

NEVER GOT OFF THE GROUND BEFORE.

IT'S A MARINE DESIGN.

I READ THEY'LL DROP THE LANDING GEAR AFTER TAKEOFF.

THEY'LL LAND HER IN THE WATER

RIGHT IN NEW YORK HARBOR.

SORRY, SLIM.

LOOKS LIKE SCHOOL'S OUT.

WELL, LET'S TAKE THE GRADUATION PICTURE ANYWAY.

ALL RIGHT. EVERYBODY READY?

NOW GIVE ME A BIG SMILE.

HOLD IT. THANK YOU.

NOW ONCE MORE.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE GAMBLED THE ORGANIZATION'S MONEY.

MAYBE WE CAN SELL THE SPIRIT

FOR ENOUGH TO PAY THEM BACK,

BUT I WOULDN'T LIKE TO SELL HER.

SHE'S NOT FOR BARNSTORMING

OR TAKING UP PASSENGERS ON A DULL SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

WE'LL FIND SOMETHING ELSE-- ACROSS THE PACIFIC, MAYBE.

HELLO, HARRY.

WELCOME HOME, SLIM. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE?

WELL, 14 HOURS, 25 MINUTES.

NICE WORK. NICE PLANE, TOO.

SHE SURE LOVES TO FLY.

BIXBY AND THE OTHERS ARE OVER IN LOUIE'S SHACK

LISTENING TO THE LATEST ON NUNGESSER AND COLI.

ARE THEY IN NEW YORK?

NO.

HAVE THEY LANDED?

NO.

THEY'RE OVERDUE, AREN'T THEY?

ABOUT EIGHT HOURS.

WELL, ANY REPORT?

A COUPLE. ONE THAT THEY CRASH-LANDED IN NEWFOUNDLAND,

ANOTHER THAT A SHIP FOUND THEM AT SEA.

NOBODY REALLY KNOWS.

[RADIO] AS THE 40th HOUR SINCE THEIR TAKEOFF APPROACHED,

IT BECAME HORRIFYINGLY CERTAIN

THAT SOMEWHERE OVER THE NORTH ATLANTIC,

A TRAGEDY WAS BEING ENACTED.

HI, SLIM.

DID LACK OF GASOLINE BRING DOWN

THE CRAFT OF THE DAUNTLESS FRENCHMEN?

AVIATION EXPERTS BELIEVE ICE FORMING ON THE WINGS

IN THE COLD, RAINY REGION EAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND

MAY HAVE PLUNGED NUNGESSER AND COLI

INTO THE WINDSWEPT SEA.

MEANWHILE, AT ROOSEVELT FIELD, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK,

CLARENCE CHAMBERLIN AND COMMANDER BYRD,

UNSHAKEN BY THE FATE WHICH OVERTOOK THE FRENCH ACES,

ARE GOING AHEAD WITH THEIR PREPARATIONS.

WHEN THEY'RE READY, THEY WILL LAUNCH THEIR PLANES

ON THE LONG, MYSTERIOUS AIR ROAD TO PARIS

WHICH HAS CLAIMED THE LIVES OF MANY FLIERS.

THERE'S ALSO A BULLETIN FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA,

THAT AIR-MAIL PILOT CHARLES A. LINDBERGH

HAS LEFT FOR NEW YORK TO ENTER HIS PLANE

IN THE TRANSATLANTIC RACE.

[TURNS OFF RADIO]

HOW ABOUT SOME BREAKFAST, SLIM?

O.K.

WE'LL DRIVE YOU INTO TOWN. GET SOME REST.

THEN WE'LL HAVE A LONG TALK.

HADN'T I BETTER GO ON TO NEW YORK?

CHAMBERLIN'S PLANE HAS BEEN PINNED DOWN

BY A COURT INJUNCTION.

THAT'S A BREAK FOR US.

SEVEN HOURS TO NEW YORK-- SHE REALLY GOES.

COME OUT. I'LL SHOW YOU.

SIT DOWN, SLIM.

COME SEE WHERE YOUR MONEY WENT.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING.

WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO REEXAMINE THIS WHOLE IDEA?

WHAT IS THERE TO REEXAMINE?

IF SOMEBODY TOOK A POLICY ON THIS FLIGHT,

YOU KNOW WHAT THE ODDS WOULD BE.

I LIKE THE ODDS,

OR I WOULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR THE MONEY.

FORGET ABOUT THE MONEY.

FOUR MEN ARE DEAD, PROBABLY SIX.

WE DON'T WANT TO ADD YOU.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL IT OFF.

IT'S YOUR BABY. YOU DECIDE.

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO--

GIVE ME AN EASY OUT.

THANK YOU JUST THE SAME.

IT JUST DOESN'T LOOK AS IF IT CAN BE DONE.

MAYBE PLANES AREN'T UP TO IT.

IN 10 YEARS PERHAPS, BUT NOT NOW.

BUT IT'S GOT TO BE TRIED NOW,

OVER AND OVER, UNTIL IT IS DONE.

CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? CAN'T--

WELL, I GUESS IT'S HARD

FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND, ISN'T IT?

YOU'RE NOT PROFESSIONAL FLIERS.

NUNGESSER AND COLI WOULD UNDERSTAND.

ONLY AN HOUR LEFT NOW.

TRY...TO SINK IN.

OH, WHY DOESN'T FRANK ASK THEM TO STOP TYPING?

WHAT ARE THEY WRITING NOW?

THEY DIDN'T KNOW I WAS ALIVE.

NOW THEY HAVE ME BORN IN FOUR DIFFERENT STATES.

SUDDENLY, I'M "LUCKY CHARLIE."

I'M THE "LONE EAGLE."

I'M THE "FLYING FOOL."

I HOPE THE WEATHER BOYS

KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.

MAYBE IT'LL CLEAR.

NOW, DON'T START WORRYING ABOUT THE WEATHER AGAIN.

NO...NO, I WON'T TAKE A TOOTHBRUSH ALONG.

I'LL BUY ONE IN PARIS.

NO RAZOR, NO EXTRA SHIRT.

NO UNNECESSARY WEIGHT, EVEN A POUND.

IT'S A POUND LESS TO LIFT OUT OF THE RUNWAY'S MUD.

IF THE RAIN STOPPED NOW,

CAN WE GET UP ENOUGH SPEED IN THAT MUD

TO GO UP AND OVER?

AM I ASKING TOO MUCH OF HER?

A LITTLE BIT OF STEEL AND WOOD AND CANVAS

TO HOIST 5,000 POUNDS HIGH ENOUGH SOON ENOUGH?

OH, GO TO SLEEP.

SOAK YOUR WRISTS IN WARM WATER.

COUNT SHEEP.

COUNT THE MORNING-GLORIES ON THE WALL.

GO TO SLEEP.

"DEAR SLIM,

"YOU MIGHT PUT THIS SAINT CHRISTOPHER

"IN YOUR FLYING SUIT.

"HE HELPS WAYFARERS ACROSS BRIDGELESS WATERS.

FATHER HUSSMAN."

FATHER HUSSMAN...

OH, YOU WERE SUCH A BAD FLIER.

I GAVE YOU 20 LESSONS,

AND YOU NEVER LEARNED ANYTHING.

YOU WERE THE WORST STUDENT I EVER HAD.

ALL RIGHT, FATHER, NOW LET'S TRY ANOTHER LANDING.

NO, NO, DON'T TURN NOW. YOU'RE TOO HIGH.

JUST LEVEL IT OFF. PICK THE WING UP.

PICK THE WING UP-- WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

ALL RIGHT, NOW, STRAIGHT AND LEVEL.

YOU'RE DIVING, FATHER!

PICK THE NOSE UP. STRAIGHT AND LEVEL.

PICK THE RIGHT WING UP.

PICK THE WING UP, FATHER.

NO, YOU'RE DIVING AGAIN NOW! PULL THE NOSE UP!

SEE THOSE TREES?

THE TREES! DO YOU SEE THEM?

[LOUD BANGING]

WELL, NOT SO BAD, HUH?

I GUESS I'M GETTING THE HANG OF IT.

NO, FATHER, YOU'RE NOT, AND YOU NEVER WILL.

YOU'VE GOT NO COORDINATION.

YOU'RE WASTING YOUR MONEY.

I DON'T WANT TO DO STUNTS.

I JUST WANT TO FLY SOMETIMES.

YOU WANT TO BUZZ YOUR CONGREGATION?

I GOT A LOT OF REASONS.

UP THERE, I FEEL CLOSER TO GOD.

YOU'RE CLOSER TO GOD WHEN YOU'RE LANDING.

NONSENSE. I CAN LAND FINE.

I'VE GOT A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR LANDINGS.

DON'T YOU THINK YOU NEED A LITTLE MORE?

MM-HMM. I ALSO HAVE A PRAYER FOR TAKEOFFS,

FOR ENGINE TROUBLE, FOR ROUGH AIR.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR THE ONE FOR LANDINGS?

IT'S FROM THE PSALMS.

NO, THANK YOU, FATHER.

DON'T YOU EVER PRAY?

I DON'T HAVE TO. I KNOW HOW TO LAND.

LET ME ASK SOMETHING.

HOW COME I NEVER SEE YOU AT CHURCH?

YOU DON'T BELIEVE, HMM?

I BELIEVE-- IN AN INSTRUMENT PANEL,

A PRESSURE GAUGE, A COMPASS,

THINGS I CAN TOUCH.

I CAN'T TOUCH GOD.

YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO. HE TOUCHES YOU.

TELL ME, FATHER.

SUPPOSE YOU WERE UP IN THIS AIRPLANE ALONE.

YOU STALLED IT AND FELL INTO A SPIN.

YOU'RE DROPPING LIKE A ROCK.

YOU BELIEVE HE'D HELP YOU?

I CAN'T SAY YES OR NO,

BUT HE'D KNOW I WAS FALLING.

[DOOR OPENS]

WHAT'S THE MATTER, SLIM? IT'S NOT TIME YET.

IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH.

ANYTHING NEW FROM THE FIELD?

NOTHING.

WE HAVE A CAR DOWNSTAIRS TO DRIVE YOU.

DID YOU GET ANY SLEEP?

I'M ALL RIGHT.

ARE YOU TAKING THIS SUITCASE?

I'M NOT TAKING ANYTHING, NOT EVEN A TOOTHBRUSH--

JUST WHAT I'LL WEAR.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR MONEY

AND THE WRIST WATCH

AND THIS SAINT CHRISTOPHER?

PUT ALL THAT STUFF AWAY

AND KEEP IT FOR ME, WILL YOU?

YOU BET YOUR LIFE.

SLIM, UH... SUPPOSE--

SUPPOSE WHAT?

NOTHING.

WELL, IN THAT CASE,

SEND THE STUFF TO MY MOTHER IN DETROIT.

YOU'RE CHECKING OUT, MR. LINDBERGH?

LOOKS LIKE IT.

I'LL HANDLE THE BILL.

IS THERE ANY FORWARDING ADDRESS FOR MAIL?

GENERAL DELIVERY, PARIS.

YOU'D BETTER HOLD IT FOR A FEW DAYS.

ARE THE SANDWICHES READY?

YES. GOOD LUCK, MR. LINDBERGH.

THANK YOU.

HEY, LINDBERGH...

GIVE US A MINUTE, CHARLIE!

WILL YOU BE SEARCHING FOR NUNGESSER AND COLI?

[REPORTERS SPEAKING ALL AT ONCE]

TWO CANTEENS OF WATER.

CHECK.

LOGBOOK. CHARTS.

CHECK.

ONE KNIFE.

CHECK.

ONE SEAT CUSHION.

CHECK.

ONE HACKSAW BLADE. TWO FLASHLIGHTS.

CHECK.

ONE BOX OF AMMONIA AMPULES.

CHECK.

TWO EMERGENCY FLARES.

CHECK.

I WISH YOU'D LET US PUT IN A PARACHUTE.

IT'S TOO HEAVY.

ANY WORD FROM THE OTHER PLANE?

NOT A PEEP. I GUESS THEY'RE WAITING FOR SUN.

WHAT'S THE LATEST ON THE WEATHER?

THE WEATHER BUREAU THINKS THERE'S STILL A CHANCE.

CALL THEM AGAIN. I'D HATE TO WEAR GALOSHES.

TOO HEAVY.

CHECK.

HOW'D SHE SOUND WHEN YOU RAN HER UP?

CHECKED BOTH MAGS AT 1650--

SMOOTH AS SILK.

300 GALLONS, MR. LINDBERGH.

GOOD. WE'LL TOP HER OFF ON THE RUNWAY.

SEE WHERE I PUT THE MAGNETIC COMPASS?

IT'S THE BEST SPOT.

IT'LL SWING LESS IN ROUGH AIR,

BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO READ IT IN A MIRROR.

I GOT THAT FROM THE OFFICE, BUT IT'S NOT RIGHT.

IT'S TOO BIG, TOO HEAVY.

ANYBODY GOT A LITTLE MIRROR

ABOUT 2 INCHES SQUARE?

WHO'S GOT A LITTLE MIRROR AROUND HERE?

I HAVE.

WILL THIS DO?

IT'S LITTLE, BUT IT'S NOT SQUARE.

WELL, THIS WILL DO FINE.

HOW'S THAT?

HOW WILL I ATTACH IT?

I CAN'T SCREW IT ON.

STICK IT ON.

O.K.

WHAT'S IT FOR?

THIS IS THE MAGNETIC COMPASS.

HE PUT IT ABOVE MY HEAD.

TO READ IT, I'LL USE YOUR MIRROR.

OH.

ARE YOU SURE YOU CAN SPARE IT?

IT'S JUST FIVE-AND-DIME.

WELL, THANK YOU, ANYWAY.

CAN I SIT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT?

SURE. GET IN.

IT'S SMALLER THAN I THOUGHT.

IT'S AWFULLY BARE.

I BEG YOUR PARDON?

IT'S SO BARE.

YES, I GUESS IT IS.

WHEN I GET TO PARIS, I'LL PUT IN A RUG AND CURTAINS.

YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE WHERE YOU'RE GOING.

WHY DON'T YOU CUT A HOLE HERE?

THE GASOLINE WOULD COME OUT.

DON'T YOU HAVE TO LOOK AHEAD?

I CAN LOOK FORWARD THROUGH THIS.

THIS IS A PERISCOPE.

LIKE IN A SUBMARINE UNDERWATER?

YES, THAT'S RIGHT, EXCEPT I HOPE

I WON'T USE IT THAT WAY.

WELL, WHAT ARE ALL THESE FOR?

ALL THESE LEAD TO THE FIVE TANKS.

THEY'RE IN THE FUSELAGE AND WING.

I CAN CONTROL THE FLOW OF GASOLINE

AND BALANCE THE AIRPLANE THAT WAY.

UNDERSTAND?

NOT REALLY.

UH-HUH.

I GUESS I'D BETTER GET OUT OF YOUR WAY.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN STANDING IN THE RAIN?

ALL NIGHT.

YOU LIVE ON LONG ISLAND?

NEW YORK?

PHILADELPHIA.

YOU CAME ALL THE WAY FROM PHILADELPHIA?

I HAD TO. YOU NEEDED THE MIRROR.

JUST TALKED TO DR. KIMBALL AT THE WEATHER BUREAU.

HE SOUNDS VERY CAUTIOUS.

HOW CAUTIOUS?

"FOG BETWEEN THE CAPE AND NEWFOUNDLAND LIFTING SLOWLY.

CLEARING ALONG THE EUROPEAN COAST."

HE'D FEEL BETTER IF YOU WAITED UNTIL NOON.

[FRANK] SLIM, POSTPONE IT

FOR ANOTHER 24 HOURS.

YOU'D BE SURE ABOUT THE WEATHER THEN.

GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO SLEEP SOME, TOO.

EXCEPT IN ANOTHER 24 HOURS,

I MIGHT BE FLYING IN CHAMBERLIN'S PROPWASH.

IT'S UP TO YOU, SLIM.

LET'S ROLL HER OUT.

MOVE BACK.

MOVE BACK.

I DON'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF THAT RUNWAY, SLIM.

CAN YOU HOLD HER STRAIGHT

THROUGH THOSE WASHOUTS?

CAN YOU LIFT HER?

IF I CAN GET UP ENOUGH SPEED.

I WISH WE'D TESTED HER WITH THIS MUCH WEIGHT...

AND UNDER THESE CONDITIONS.

FRANK, LET'S DRIVE DOWN THE RUNWAY

WHERE THAT STICK IS.

WHAT'S THE MATTER, SLIM?

THE WIND BLEW AWAY MY TAKEOFF MARKER.

IS THIS THE SPOT?

YES, I MEASURED IT.

DO YOU HAVE A HANDKERCHIEF?

YEAH.

WHAT IF YOU DON'T GET OFF THE GROUND BY HERE?

I'LL CUT THE POWER.

CAN YOU ROLL HER TO A STOP

BEFORE YOU PILE AGAINST THOSE TREES?

SHE'LL SLOW DOWN PRETTY QUICK IN THIS MUSH.

DON'T TRY TO LIFT HER BEYOND THE MARKER.

THE WIND IS WRONG. YOU'LL NEVER MAKE IT.

I'LL WATCH IT.

I'M NOT TELLING YOU HOW TO FLY, SLIM.

I KNOW THAT, FRANK.

SHE'S ALL TOPPED OFF-- 425 GALLONS.

FINE.

DON'T FORGET YOUR SANDWICHES, SLIM.

THERE'S FIVE OF THEM.

PUT THEM UNDER THE SEAT.

ONE HARD-BOILED EGG ON WHITE,

TWO ROAST BEEF, TWO HAM ON RYE.

I TRIED TO GET YOU SOME SANDDABS.

NO SANDDABS.

NO SANDDABS.

FRANK, THERE'S SOMETHING I OUGHT TO TELL YOU.

THOSE SANDDABS OF YOURS ARE TERRIBLE.

THE WAY YOU WELD THEM

WITH THAT ACETYLENE FLAVOR.

YOU ATE THEM.

WELL, I THOUGHT I'D BETTER.

I WANTED THE AIRPLANE ON TIME.

GAS IS ON. SWITCH IS OFF.

CONTACT.

CONTACT.

OFF.

OFF.

CONTACT.

CONTACT.

HEY, IT'S 30 REVOLUTIONS LOW.

IT'S 30 REVOLUTIONS LOW.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT-- DAMP AIR?

THAT'S ALL. NOTHING MECHANICAL.

WELL, I GUESS I MIGHT AS WELL GO.

PULL THE CHOCKS.

CUT IT.

2 HOURS... ALMOST 200 MILES GONE.

GOT A TAILWIND. THAT HELPS.

IF WE CAN HOLD THIS SCHEDULE, IN THE 38th HOUR,

WE'LL LAND IN PARIS.

WELL, WHERE'D YOU COME FROM?

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?

GO ON. GO ON, OUT.

GO ON. YOU KNOW THE RULES.

NO COPILOTS. NO EXCESS BAGGAGE.

NOW, DON'T MAKE ANY TROUBLE.

THIS AIRPLANE'S GOING ALL THE WAY TO PARIS.

JUST HOW MUCH EXTRA WEIGHT WOULD YOU BE, ANYWAY?

I SUPPOSE THAT DEPENDS.

IF YOU'RE SITTING IN A PLANE, THAT'S EXTRA WEIGHT,

BUT IF YOU'RE FLYING AROUND INSIDE A FLYING PLANE,

WOULD THAT ADD TO THE LOAD?

VERY INTERESTING PROBLEM, ISN'T IT?

WHERE ARE YOU?

GET AWAY FROM THOSE SANDWICHES. WE CAN'T EAT YET.

I HAVE TO SWITCH TANKS AGAIN.

I MUST DO THIS EVERY HOUR.

WHAT'S THE MATTER, WATER SCARE YOU?

OH, THIS ISN'T THE REAL THING YET.

THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF LAND AHEAD--

NOVA SCOTIA, NEWFOUNDLAND.

AHH!

ONLY FOUR HOURS GONE, AND I'M EXHAUSTED.

NO, NO. IT'S NOT FOUR HOURS,

IT'S 28 HOURS SINCE I'VE HAD ANY SLEEP.

WHY DID I LET LAST NIGHT GO TO WASTE

IN THAT HOTEL ROOM ON LONG ISLAND?

I'D SETTLE FOR ONE HOUR IN THAT BED NOW.

15 MINUTES. IT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE A BED.

I'D SLEEP ON THE FLOOR.

I ALWAYS COULD SLEEP ANYPLACE, ANYTIME.

WHEN I WAS A KID IN LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA,

I'D SLEEP ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS,

WAITING FOR THE CATFISH TO BITE...

OR WHEN I WAS A FLYING CADET AT BROOKS FIELD, TEXAS.

THE DAYS WERE TOO LONG, AND THE BUNKS WERE TOO SHORT...

OR IN THE BARNSTORMING DAYS,

SLEEPING UNDER THE WING OF MY OLD JENNY

BY A WINDMILL THAT PUMPED SWEET WATER

OUT OF THE KANSAS PRAIRIE.

I WASN'T REALLY ASLEEP.

I WAS JUST PRACTICING FOR WHEN WE GET TO PARIS...

IF WE GET TO PARIS.

NOVA SCOTIA-- I WON'T HAVE TO TURN BACK HERE.

IT'S AS CLEAR AS THE SUN.

OPEN SKY... OPEN SKY TO NEWFOUNDLAND.

6 MILES OFF COURSE...

6 MILES AFTER 200 MILES OF WATER.

IF I HELD THIS MARGIN OF ERROR,

HOW FAR OFF COURSE WOULD I BE WHEN I HIT IRELAND?

LET'S SEE.

IT'S 1,900 MILES ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.

SO THAT COULD-- I'D BE 60 MILES OFF AT IRELAND.

WELL, I'LL SETTLE FOR THAT.

THERE'S NOTHING TOO WRONG

WITH THIS DEAD RECKONING NAVIGATION,

EXCEPT MAYBE THE NAME.

HEY!

HEY!

I HAD A MOTORCYCLE ONCE--

HARLEY-DAVIDSON, BLUE.

WON A COUPLE RACES WITH HER.

I HAD HER FOR A YEAR AND A HALF,

THEN DROVE HER TO GEORGIA...

TRADED HER IN ON AN AIRPLANE.

[BANG]

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING, SON?

DO YOU SELL SURPLUS ARMY PLANES?

YEAH, I SELL THEM.

WELL, I'M INTERESTED.

FLIER?

YES, SIR.

FRIEND IN NEBRASKA SAID YOU HAVE GOOD BUYS.

SURE. WE GOT SOME JENNYS PRETTY CHEAP.

THAT ONE'S THE BEST OF THE LOT.

DON'T LOOK LIKE MUCH. ENGINE'S FINE.

JUST WIND HER UP, AND TAKE HER OFF.

HOW MUCH?

500. CHEAP ENOUGH.

WELL... WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO 400,

AND I'LL THROW IN THE MOTORCYCLE?

I WOULDN'T THINK MUCH OF THAT, SON.

450 AND THE MOTORCYCLE.

AH, IT'S TOO STEEP FOR ME.

IT MIGHT GO FOR 425.

440. THE GAS TANK'S FULL.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. IT'S A DEAL.

NOW THERE'S 400...

YOU WANT 20-- 20, 40.

EVER FLOWN A JENNY?

A PLANE'S A PLANE.

FLY ONE, YOU CAN FLY THEM ALL.

REAL HOT PILOT, EH?

PULL HER THROUGH FOR ME?

CRANK HER, PETE.

KEEP HER NOSE DOWN ON THE TURNS.

SHE'S ONLY GOT 90 HORSEPOWER.

SWITCH IS OFF.

CONTACT.

CONTACT.

[ENGINE SPUTTERS]

[STARTS]

PETE!

NOW JUST A DING MINUTE, YOU!

HEY! YOU PLUMB GONE NUTTY IN THE HEAD?

HOW'S THAT?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I'M TRYING TO TAKE OFF.

THAT'S A REAL FANCY TECHNIQUE.

THE AIR'S ROUGH TODAY.

YEAH, REGULAR STORM CONDITIONS.

DON'T WORRY. I'LL GET HER OFF THIS TIME.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FLYING?

OH, AROUND.

AROUND WHAT?

AROUND LINCOLN FIELD, NEBRASKA--

A GOOD FLYING INSTRUCTOR THERE.

HE SAID I WAS HIS BEST STUDENT.

I'D HATE TO SEE THE REST OF THE CLASS.

I WAS THE ONLY STUDENT.

THAT INSTRUCTOR-- DID HE EVER SOLO YOU?

NO, NOT EXACTLY.

HE JUST HAD ONE AIRPLANE.

HE WAS AFRAID I'D CRACK IT UP,

SO I'LL SOLO MYSELF.

HERE'S YOUR MONEY BACK.

STICK TO THAT LEAKY MOTORCYCLE.

IT'S CLOSER TO THE GROUND, SON.

I BOUGHT THE AIRPLANE. I'M GOING TO FLY IT.

DON'T WORRY.

I'LL PRACTICE SOME MORE BEFORE I HEAD WEST.

YOU BETTER PRACTICE IN THAT DIRECTION!

THAT'S WHERE THE HOSPITAL IS...

AND THE UNDERTAKER!

NO WIND. NOT A BREATH OF AIR ON THOSE LAKES.

STRANGE WILDERNESS...

BAD COUNTRY FOR A FORCED LANDING.

6 P.M.-- 11 HOURS FROM NEW YORK.

100 MILES FROM ST. JOHN'S AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC.

NUNGESSER AND COLI MIGHT HAVE HIT ONE OF THESE PEAKS.

IF THEY DID, THEY'LL NEVER BE FOUND,

NOT DOWN THERE.

FOG--ONE HOUR FROM ST. JOHN'S--FOG.

WELL, MAYBE IT'S ONLY A PATCH HANGING TO THE MOUNTAINS.

THIS IS NO PATCH.

THIS IS THE END IF WE CAN'T FIND OPEN SKY.

I CAN'T CROSS 1,900 MILES OF SEA

WITHOUT A CHECKPOINT FOR THE COMPASS.

ST. JOHN'S IS THE KEY BEARING TO IRELAND.

ALMOST 7:00-- ST. JOHN'S IS DOWN THERE,

NOT TOO FAR AHEAD IF WE'RE ON COURSE.

THERE MIGHT BE A CEILING TO THIS STUFF.

TAKE A CHANCE?

THE CHART DOESN'T SAY HOW HIGH THE MOUNTAINS ARE.

HOW DEEP CAN I GO WITHOUT WRAPPING US AROUND A PEAK?

WELL, THERE'S ONE WAY TO FIND OUT.

ST. JOHN'S.

COME OVER HERE AND LOOK AT THIS.

1,900 MILES TO IRELAND--

NO SHIPS, NO ISLANDS, ALL LIQUID.

SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO GET OFF HERE,

FIND YOURSELF A GARBAGE CAN?

I DON'T BLAME HIM.

SO LONG.

WIND FROM THE NORTHWEST, BLOWING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR.

I'LL ANGLE 10 DEGREES NORTH TO COMPENSATE FOR DRIFT.

THIS HAS GOT TO BE MY LAST DRIFT ESTIMATE UNTIL DAWN.

OIL PRESSURE, 59 AND STEADY-- FUEL PRESSURE, 3.5 AND STEADY--

INDICATED AIR SPEED, 90 MILES AN HOUR--

ALTITUDE, 300 FEET.

YOU BETTER GET HER UP HIGHER, MUCH HIGHER.

PLAY IT SAFE.

IF ANYTHING HAPPENED,

YOU COULD CLING TO THE SKY A LITTLE LONGER.

YOU COULD STILL TURN AROUND,

HEAD TOWARD LAND BEFORE YOU DITCHED.

IF WHAT HAPPENED?

"WHY, FOLKS, THIS MACHINE HERE

"IS COMPLETELY SAFE AND ABSOLUTELY DEPENDABLE--

THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS WITHOUT A MISHAP."

WASN'T THAT THE SPIEL YOU HAD, BARNSTORMING IN THE OLD JENNY?

ALL RIGHT, FOLKS.

WHO WILL BE THE FIRST ONE UP THERE?

WHO WILL DEFY GRAVITY?

WHO WILL SEE HIS FARM LIKE A BIRD SEES IT?

WHO WILL KISS HIS GIRL IN THE CLOUDS?

THIS MACHINE HERE IS ABSOLUTELY SAFE

AND COMPLETELY DEPENDABLE.

IT'S MADE THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS WITHOUT ONE SINGLE MISHAP.

WHO WILL BE THE FIRST ONE?

HEY, DAD, HOW ABOUT YOU?

HOW ABOUT 10 LONG MINUTES FOR $5.00?

NO SIRREE BOB, NOT ME.

I AIN'T GOING UP IN NO CRAZY WINDMILL.

I'LL DO SOME LOOP-THE-LOOPS.

AH, TURN HER UPSIDE DOWN AND DUMP ME OUT.

IMPOSSIBLE TO FALL OUT.

THE SAFETY BELT HOLDS YOU IN.

WHAT IF THE SAFETY BELT BUSTED?

I'LL GIVE YOU MY PARACHUTE.

IT'LL FLOAT YOU DOWN LIKE A BIG UMBRELLA.

WELL, WHAT IF SHE DIDN'T OPEN UP,

THE BIG UMBRELLA? THEN WHAT?

I'M GLAD YOU ASKED.

IF THAT HAPPENS, YOU GET DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK.

HA HA HA!

AND WE DIDN'T ALWAYS TRAVEL ALONE.

MEET ANOTHER GYPSY IN THE SKY--

THAT'S THE WAY I MET BUD GURNEY,

GIVE HIM A WAVE, INVITE HIM TO DINNER.

GUY I KNOW IN ABILENE, TEXAS,

IS MAKING A CIRCUS.

LET'S JOIN.

CIRCUS?

YEAH, FLYING CIRCUS.

HE'S LOOKING FOR STUNT PILOTS,

WING WALKERS, PARACHUTE JUMPERS.

I'VE DONE SOME JUMPING-- NO WING WALKING, THOUGH.

I'LL TEACH YOU.

HE'LL GUARANTEE US ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS

OF COUNTY FAIR DATES.

OUGHT TO BE PRETTY GOOD MONEY.

I SURE COULD USE THE MONEY.

MY JENNY NEEDS NEW TIRES-- VALVE JOB, TOO.

BOY, WILL MY OLD MAN HAVE A FIT

WHEN HE FINDS OUT I'VE JOINED A CIRCUS.

HE KEEPS TELLING ME I'M A BUM.

MY OLD MAN'S IN CONSTRUCTION

IN WICHITA, KANSAS.

HE WANTS ME TO COME HOME

AND WORK FOR HIM--

SAYS I COME FROM RESPECTABLE PEOPLE,

THAT HE RUNS A RESPECTABLE BUSINESS,

AND HIS ONLY SON IS A BUM.

SO I'M A BUM.

YOU, UH, COME FROM RESPECTABLE PEOPLE?

WELL, MY FATHER'S A LAWYER IN MINNESOTA,

AND HE WAS IN CONGRESS FOR 10 YEARS.

THAT'S NOT FOR ME.

YOU CAN'T DO IT FROM A PLANE.

MY OLD MAN SAYS, "FLYING IS FOR THE BIRDS."

IS THAT WHAT HE SAID?

"IF GOD MEANT US TO FLY,

"HE WOULD HAVE MADE OUR BONES

AS HOLLOW AS OUR HEADS."

MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH US.

WELL...MAYBE.

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT MAKES US GO UP THERE?

OH...

YOU TELL ME.

16th HOUR--1,700 MILES BACK INTO YESTERDAY,

BACK TO NEW YORK.

HERE, THERE'S NOTHING,

NOTHING BUT THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE.

IT'S TURNING 1,625 REVOLUTIONS A MINUTE.

THAT'S MORE THAN 800 EXPLOSIONS EVERY MINUTE IN EVERY CYLINDER.

HOW MANY EXPLOSIONS IN NINE CYLINDERS?

THAT'S...7,000 A MINUTE.

THAT'S ALMOST HALF A MILLION AN HOUR.

THERE'S 20 HOURS TO GO, 10 MILLION EXPLOSIONS--

10 MILLION BLASTS

OF WHITE-HOT FLAME AGAINST RED-HOT METAL

BEFORE I LAND.

HOW CAN AN ENGINE STAND SUCH TORTURE?

WHAT IF A CYLINDER CRACKS, VALVE STUCK,

OR BEARING BURNED OUT?

I-I ONLY HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS NIGHT.

TOMORROW WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

WHAT'S THIS? IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT BIG WHITE SHIP--

A SHIP WITH SAILS.

OH, IT CAN'T BE A WINDJAMMER IN 1927.

IT LOOKS LIKE A GHOST SHIP.

IT ISN'T, THOUGH. IT'S THERE.

OH, IT'S AN ICEBERG!

OF COURSE-- THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

I NEVER THOUGHT OF ICEBERGS.

I SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKING,

THIS CLOSE TO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE.

IT'S ALMOST BIG ENOUGH TO LAND ON.

HEY, THAT'S AN IDEA-- ICEBERGS FOR LANDING FIELDS.

IF IT WAS FLAT ENOUGH,

I COULD JUST SLIP HER RIGHT DOWN

AND CUT THE ENGINE AND STOP AND GO TO SLEEP.

HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN NOW? 40 HOURS, I GUESS.

WE'D NEVER PASS AN INSPECTION TODAY,

NOT AT BROOKS FIELD.

DO YOU SEE ANYTHING ON MY NOSE, BIBBS?

YES, SIR.

ANY IDEA WHAT IT IS?

OIL, SIR.

WELL, BIBBS, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST, BIBBS?

I SUGGEST YOU WIPE YOUR NOSE, SIR.

YOU DO, EH?

ALL RIGHT, YOU MEN,

I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU AGAIN.

SOME OF YOU THINK

THESE AIRPLANES ARE GARBAGE CANS.

A DIRTY AIRPLANE MAKES FOR A SLOPPY PILOT.

I WON'T HAVE ANY SLOPPY PILOTS

GRADUATING FROM THIS HERE FIELD.

YOU!

YOU CAN'T SET THAT DOWN HERE.

DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?

THIS IS BROOKS FIELD.

IT'S AN ARMY FIELD. TAKE OFF!

I'M A CADET, SIR.

OH, NO.

I'M SORRY, SIR.

HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?

I TOOK MY EXAMS AT CHANUTE.

[METAL CLANGING]

BRITTLE, ISN'T SHE?

THESE PAPERS SAY YOU'RE ASSIGNED HERE.

O.K.!

BUT I WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR FILTHY CRATE HERE!

SHE'S REALLY A VERY FINE MACHINE.

SHE FLIES LIKE A DREAM.

SHE'S FILTHY! GET HER OUT OF HERE!

SHE ONLY NEEDS SOME PAINT.

[BANG]

PUSH HER, PULL HER, TOW HER,

BUT GET HER OUT OF HERE!

YES, SIR.

I BEG YOUR PARDON, SIR,

BUT YOU HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING ON YOUR NOSE.

THAT DOES IT! THAT DOES IT!

I AM A PATIENT MAN,

BUT I'LL GIVE YOU EXACTLY 30 SECONDS

TO GET YOUR FILTHY CRATE OUT OF HERE!

IF YOU EVER BRING THAT MESS OF JUNK

BACK TO THIS FIELD--

I'LL SHOOT YOU FIRST!

18th HOUR...

I'VE BEEN FLYING FOR 18 HOURS.

ICE! THE SPIRIT CAN'T FLY WITH ICE ON HER WINGS.

HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN ICING?

IT'S GRABBING ON FAST, TOO FAST.

WHY DIDN'T I CATCH THIS SOONER?

COME ON NOW!

CLIMB OUT BEFORE WE GET TOO HEAVY.

YOU'RE STALLING! YOU'RE STALLING!

NOW TURN AROUND! GET OUT OF HERE!

GET BACK TO WARMER AIR!

ICE SMOTHERING THE CARBURETOR!

BURN IT OUT! BACKFIRE IT OUT!

BLAST THE GUTS OUT OF IT!

[BACKFIRING]

I CAN'T HOLD HER ANYMORE. WE'RE GOING IN.

RUBBER RAFT, AIR PUMP, FLARES, TANK OF WATER.

WHERE'S MY KNIFE?

ALL RIGHT, NOW. NOW TURN AROUND.

GET BACK ON COURSE.

THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE EARTH INDUCTOR COMPASS.

IT MUST BE FROZEN UP.

THE MAGNETIC-- THE MAGNETIC'S ALL HAYWIRE.

WHAT'S HAPPENED TO EVERYTHING?

ALL RIGHT, LET'S FLY BY THE STARS.

FIND THE BIG DIPPER.

THE STARS ARE THERE...

SOMEWHERE.

THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

CLIMB UP AND HOLD ON TO THEM.

THE TINY FIRE POINT ABOVE THE DIPPER--POLARIS,

EIGHTH STAR OF THE NORTHERN POLE--

GUIDE ON THAT.

OVER MY SHOULDER, AND WE GO SOUTH.

RIDE IT ABOVE THE LEFT WING TIP,

AND OUR DIRECTION WILL BE EAST AGAIN.

WHEN IT'S FADED, I CAN AIM AT THE DAWN.

THE EARTH INDUCTOR COMPASS IS STEADY AGAIN.

IT'S WORKING AGAIN. SO IS THE MAGNETIC.

AND I'M FLYING EAST...

BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

I'M FLYING EAST. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

I WONDER HOW FAR I WANDERED OFF COURSE LAST NIGHT.

WHERE AM I?

I'VE GOT TO FIND LAND... SOME LAND...SOMEWHERE...

BEFORE MY GAS IS GONE.

GET TO WORK.

SLEEP'S CRAWLING OUT OF ITS BOX AGAIN.

NOW PUT IT BACK.

FORCE YOURSELF TO THINK. NOW, LET'S SEE, NOW.

HOW FAR MIGHT EUROPE BE?

IT'S THE 25th HOUR,

AND ST. JOHN'S WAS 11 1/4 HOURS FROM NEW YORK.

I'M 25 HOURS FROM NEW YORK,

SO...11 FROM 25...

WAS...TWICE 11 IS 22.

THEN 11 AND 14 MAKE 25.

WHAT DO I WANT WITH 25?

WHAT WAS I GOING TO USE THAT FOR?

I'LL HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

NOW...

UH...IN A MINUTE OR TWO...

AFTER MY MIND'S CLEAR.

NOW, LET'S SEE...

IN THE AFTERNOON...

I'LL FIGURE IT ALL OUT THIS AFTERNOON.

THAT'S A SEAGULL!

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, BUT...

WELL, WE'RE-- WE'RE HOURS FROM LAND.

HOW COULD THAT-- SHIPS, THEN.

GULLS FOLLOW SHIPS, AND IF I COULD GET A--

LOOK. THERE'S SOMETHING AHEAD.

THEY'RE FISHING BOATS.

WHICH WAY TO IRELAND?

WHICH WAY TO IRELAND?

WHY--WHY DIDN'T HE ANSWER?

HE COULD HEAR ME.

I'VE...I'VE MADE MYSELF HEARD FROM AIRPLANES BEFORE.

MAYBE HE'D NEVER SEEN AN AIRPLANE BEFORE.

MAYBE HE DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH.

I'M NOT ANYWHERE NEAR IRELAND OR ENGLAND, THEN.

I MIGHT NOT BE ANY...

I'M TOO FAR SOUTH.

THERE'S LAND.

IT IS LAND.

IT IS LAND.

THAT'S NO PHANTOM. THAT'S EARTH.

THAT'S GREEN, LIVING EARTH.

THAT'S...NO.

NO, WAIT A MINUTE. JUST WAIT. THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE!

IT'S ONLY THE 28th HOUR.

A TAILWIND WOULD ACCOUNT FOR MY BEING EARLY,

BUT HOW COULD I--

I'VE BEEN OFF COURSE.

IT'S EARTH, ALL RIGHT, BUT WHAT EARTH? WHERE?

WHERE AM I?

I COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM ICELAND

TO THE COAST OF AFRICA.

IT COULD BE SPAIN OR PORTUGAL.

IT COULD BE DINGLE BAY.

THAT POINT TO THE NORTH THERE--

THE SHAPE'S RIGHT.

THOSE ISLANDS OFF TO THE RIGHT THERE...

THAT FITS.

THAT LINES UP RIGHT.

IT IS.

IT'S DINGLE BAY.

IT'S IRELAND!

HI!

HEY!

THAT'S PLYMOUTH. THAT'S THE PILGRIMS' TOWN.

WHY, I FLEW OVER PLYMOUTH ROCK RIGHT OUTSIDE BOSTON.

WHEN DID I DO THAT? OH, YESTERDAY.

WOW.

118 MILES ACROSS THE CHANNEL TO CHERBOURG.

118 MILES.

WELL, WHAT'S A LITTLE CHANNEL?

I'VE JUST FLOWN ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.

ALL RIGHT. ADD A LITTLE MORE POWER HERE.

NOW LET'S HAVE SOME LUNCH.

FRANK MAHONEY.

THE COAST OF FRANCE-- THERE'S CHERBOURG.

NOW TURN NORTHEAST ALONG THE COAST,

FIND THE MOUTH OF THE SEINE RIVER.

THERE IT IS.

I'LL FLY RIGHT UP THE RIVER TO PARIS.

IT'S 98 MILES, 1 MORE HOUR.

NO, NO. MAKE IT 58 MINUTES, 58 MINUTES.

I'D BETTER WASH MY FACE, CLEAN UP A LITTLE.

NOW I JUST HOLD ON FOR ONE MORE HOUR,

ONE MORE HOUR.

[ENGINE DIES]

WELL, NO, NO, NO. THAT'S THE WRONG TANK.

SWITCH TO ONE WITH SOME GAS IN IT.

[ENGINE SPUTTERING]

[RUNNING AGAIN]

THERE IT IS.

THERE IT IS.

LE BOURGET...

NOW WHERE'S LE BOURGET?

I'M RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE CITY.

IT SHOULD BE NORTHEAST. BETTER CHECK THE MAP.

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME? MY EYES--I CAN HARDLY SEE.

I'VE BEEN FLYING THIS AIRPLANE FOR OVER 33 HOURS.

I HAVEN'T SLEPT FOR THREE DAYS.

I CAN'T LET IT CATCH UP TO ME.

THERE. THAT MUST BE LE BOURGET--MUST BE.

WHAT ARE ALL THOSE LIGHTS?

I'VE GOT TO BE SURE.

WELL, THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT.

I'LL DROP DOWN. CAREFUL NOW, CAREFUL.

AS LOW AS I DARE GO-- THOSE LIGHTS--

WHAT ARE THESE LIGHTS?

IS IT A CARNIVAL OR A CIRCUS?

WHAT ARE ALL THESE LIGHTS?

I'D BETTER COME IN OVER THE HANGARS.

STOP HER SHORT OF THE LIGHTS.

DON'T ROLL INTO THE DARK.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S THERE.

NOW, QUARTER TURN-- QUARTER.

MAKE THE APPROACH. FULL TURN--NOT YET.

HOLD IT NOW.

NOW YOU'RE IN LINE. THROTTLE BACK. DON'T STALL IT.

WHAT'S THE MATTER? HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN HOW TO LAND?

I'VE GOT NO FEEL. I CAN'T FEEL THE AIRPLANE.

YOU'RE DIVING. YOU'RE DIVING.

PULL OUT. GUN IT. GUN IT.

NOW STRAIGHTEN UP. YOU'RE TOO HIGH.

YOU'RE TOO FAST. SLIP IT. SLIP IT.

MORE. KICK RIGHT RUDDER.

KICK IT. I'M--I'M GOING IN.

I'M GOING TO TEAR THIS UP. I'M...

WHAT WAS YOUR LANDING PRAYER, FATHER HUSSMAN?

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

OH, GOD, HELP ME.

[CROWD CHEERING]

[CROWD CHANTING, "LINDBERGH! LINDBERGH!"]

LINDBERGH! LINDBERGH!

THEY'RE TEARING UP MY AIRPLANE!

THEY'RE TAKING IT TO THE HANGAR.

[CROWD] LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

LINDBERGH!

THERE WERE 200,000 PEOPLE THERE THAT NIGHT,

AND WHEN WE CAME BACK HOME,

THERE WERE 4 MILLION PEOPLE WAITING.

[MARCHING BAND PLAYING STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER]

CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC.

CAPTIONS COPYRIGHT 1993 WARNER BROS.