Original subtitles

[ Male Chorus Singing ]

[ Continues ]

[ Man Narrating ] This is Thunderbird, the field.

These are Thunderbirds, the planes.

The sky is bright out here in Arizona.

It's bright with fighting planes rolling and slicing through the sky.

Thunderbird Field is more than just a field...

more than just mere airplanes.

It's a school, one of the schools operated by the United States Army...

by our army, for training the young pilots of our allies as well as our own.

Here are Chinese boys. They learn to fly well, these Chinese.

They have something to fight for.

They remember the smoking ruins of their villages back home.

They remember the rape of Nanking.

And here are British boys. They fly well too.

They fly with a will to win. They too remember.

They remember the battle of London- the wanton destruction of life and property.

And here are American boys. Boys from Kansas and the coast of Maine.

Boys who never saw a plane close up till yesterday.

Boys who were soda jerks, law school students...

dry goods salesmen, high school athletes.

Here they are. Here they come!

Watch 'em fly.

Thunderbird Field out here in Arizona...

is one of many schools of this unique kind.

Officers are in charge, but the instructors are civilians.

All of them helped to make this picture out here in Arizona...

at Thunderbird Field.

Chinese, British and American boys work together, study together, play together.

They not only learn to fly, they learn to know one another, to be friends.

The Chinese learn about us and we learn about the Chinese...

and the British learn about us both.

It's hard work at Thunderbird. It's deadly serious work.

This is primary training at its most intensive.

These boys play. Also, they work. And they have much work to do.

They become more adept at their jobs day by day...

and their job is to fight and to play the game to win.

Here, the Thunderbird sails again...

a symbol of victory.

[ Cheering, Shouting ]

Hey, what's he doing, bobbing for apples?

Oh, no. He just soloed. Pretty excited, isn't he?

Yeah, but that oughta cool him off.

[ Chattering ]

Where'll I find the C.O.'s office?

- You mean Colonel MacDonald? - That's the one.

You go outside. You go this way...

you go that way, and you go this way.

- Huh? - Upstairs.

- Oh. Thank you. - But he's not there. He's in there.

- Thanks. - Okeydoke.

Anybody home?

- Steve Britt! - Hello, Mac. Did you get my letter?

- What letter? - I don't know. Didn't I write one?

Why, you old son of a gun.

I want you to meet Squadron Leader Barratt of the R.A.F.

- This is Steve Britt. - Barratt.

Hi, Britt. I've heard a great deal about you. I'm glad to meet you.

- Thanks. - What are you doin' out in this neck of the woods?

- Lookin' for a job. - A job? You? [ Chuckles ]

Sure. You could use another good instructor around here, can't you?

- Why, of course, but- - Okay. Where do I park my toothbrush?

Wait a minute. Are you on the level?

I was never more serious in my life, Mac.

It just doesn't make sense to me.

Why should a flier like you wanna bury himself out here in the desert with a war going on?

What do you mean, bury myself? This is where the war is gonna be won...

right here on fields like this, and I wanna be a part of it.

Of course, if you don't think I've got what it takes-

Quiet, Steve. I was just tryin' to catch my breath.

Listen, Mac. I'm not tryin' to kid myself. I'm no good for combat anymore.

They want babies today, kids.

I'm not exactly a chicken, but that doesn't mean...

I can't do the next best thing- train those kids.

Don't you see what this would mean to a guy who couldn't be up there himself?

Every one of those kids I trained would be me...

only there'd be hundreds of 'em.

The Steve Britt Escadrille over Germany and Tokyo.

I'm tellin' ya, Mac, it's the first decent idea I ever had in my life.

You gotta take me.

How about your eyes? You're not goin' blind, are ya?

- Twenty-twenty. - Flying papers in order?

Have a look.

Okay, Steve, I 'll talk to Washington.

- We'll have confirmation in a couple of hours. - Thanks, Mac.

But remember this: I have no friends here.

You do the job my way, or I 'll run you out of here so fast...

- you'd think you were in a tailspin. - Sure. That's the way I want it.

- I'd be awfully glad to have you with us. - Thanks.

I only hope I get a crack at some of those R.A.F. boys of yours.

- They've been doing all right. - You will.

There's a new class just getting in. Would you like to look them over?

Well, I'm sorry, but if you don't mind...

I'd like to look up an old pal of mine- Colonel Saunders.

- Has a ranch around here somewhere. - Yes, I know the place.

- The K.D.S. Ranch, isn't it? - That's it. How do you get there?

Straight down the road about 12 miles. Then you turn to the right towards the hill.

Okay.

I'll see you in the morning, boss.

- What do you make of it? - Search me.

- He's a good flier, isn't he? - Good flier?

He's what the Wright brothers had in mind when they invented the airplane.

But, you know, something tells me this pal of his...

Colonel Saunders, uses lipstick.

Really?

Why, you Peeping Tom!

[ Groans ]

- Wait a minute! Wait a minute! - Hey-

Down you come. Let go! Let go! Let go! Hello, honey.

Well, I'll be doggone!

Hi, Steve!

Excuse me, Gramps. I'll kiss you in a minute.

You were marvelous, Steve. Really superb.

- Hope you brought your Brownie with you. - I don't need it.

I have photographic eyes.

Well, you can just take 'em, crank up that thing and go right on back where you came from.

Okay, give me my coveralls.

All right. Take them.

Well, Gramps, mighty nice to have you living right next door.

- Next door? - Sure. Haven't you heard?

- I'm over at Thunderbird Field. - Oh, no, you're not!

I won't have you at Thunderbird. I won't have you anywhere around here.

Please don't interrupt, Kay. I'm talking to your grandfather.

Yep, I'm a professor now. A reformed character.

Gramps, will you leave us alone for a few minutes?

Doggone it, just when things are gettin' hot?

- It's okay, Gramps. Stick around. - I 'll go.

But just as a favor to you. Darned women.

It's gettin' so that a fellow can't even spit... unless they say so.

- You're cute. - So are you.

Now, wait a minute. You know I was only clowning.

It's not that, Steve. It's just that I've stood all I'm going to from you.

Wait a minute. Let me finish.

I was in love with you.

I don't know why, but heaven help me, I was.

I can tell you why.

Because the minute we look at each other, Roman candles.

- The Roman candles fizzled. - I never tried to kid you.

I'm not a bank clerk or a night watchman punching a time clock.

You knew that from the beginning.

- Well? - It's no use, Steve.

Your kind of life and mine just don't mix.

Of course they do.

What is all this talk? My kind of life is your kind of life.

You can't get away from that any more than I can. Isn't that right?

Sorry, Steve.

You see, the trouble is...

I came off the line a woman...

and not a P-38.

[ Imitating Plane ]

Halt!

Right face!

[ Shouts, Indistinct ]

Stand at ease!

(Barratt) Stand easy. Gentlemen...

I brought you out here to meet Steve Britt, one of your new instructors.

I'm sure he's already known to many of you by reputation...

not only because of his record in the last war...

but for his many flying achievements since then.

He believes, as we do...

that this war is going to be won in the air.

That's why he's chosen to come here to Thunderbird to teach you to do the job.

It's a great pleasure and a real privilege to have him with us...

and I'm sure that you'll find him an understanding...

and a sympathetic man with whom to work.

Like to say a few words, Britt?

Thanks. I'll do my talking later.

I say, old man, that's good.

Gentlemen, this is an airplane.

The idea is to get it up and keep it up.

But the most important thing of all is to bring it back.

Just one more thing you have to remember. That's your parachute.

If anything unusual happens, you grab that ring...

count 10, and pull it hard.

If it opens, you haven't got a thing to worry about. If it doesn't-

- Do we get a new one, sir? - Nope.

From then on, you can fly without 'em.

Well, who wants to see what it's like up there?

- [ All ] Aye, sir. - Okay, hop in.

Fasten your safety belt...

good and tight so if I decide to fly upside down...

I won't have to worry about you digging holes in the runway.

Come on, lads. Get your morning exercise.

Give 'em the crank.

Ow!

Come on!

- (Man) Contact. - Contact.

Don't worry about the parachute not opening. It has to. It's regulations.

See that thing in front of you? That's a control stick.

Take a hold of it.

Not so hard. Don't choke it.

It's not gonna give milk. Now, move it to the left and see what happens.

Now, your left aileron has come up, and your right is depressed.

As a result, your left wing is down and you're in a bank.

That's enough. Back to center.

Now, your ailerons are feathered out, streamlined.

Back to level flight. Pull back on your stick.

Easy!

Now you're climbing.

You wanna put her nose down, all you have to do is push forward.

Level off.

Don't let this throw you. Some of the best fliers in the business...

get sick from time to time.

That's part of the game.

Hang on. We're going down.

- Wouldn't you like to get out here? - I'm all right, sir.

Sure, but the exercise'll do you good.

- Sorry I messed it up, sir. - Forget it.

Your stomach's just a little upset. It's the change of water.

You'll feel a lot different tomorrow when we're up there kicking her around.

Take a few deep breaths.

- Thank you, sir. - By the way, what's your name?

- Peter Stackhouse, sir. - I knew a Peter Stackhouse in the last war.

- That must've been my father, sir. - Your father was a great flier.

Thank you, sir. Did you know him very well?

Well enough to know that if I had to go up against the Luftwaffe today...

I'd like to have a man with his guts alongside of me.

- Okay? - Yes, sir.

Now, watch yourself.

- What's the matter with him? Sick? - A little wobbly.

- A walk'll do him good. - Don't start coddling 'em, Steve.

We haven't got time for that around here.

If they don't come through, wash 'em out and wash 'em out fast.

Sure, General Maytag.

You put 'em in and turn the crank, and I'll wring 'em out.

Okay. I'll put 'em in.

- (Steve) Hey, you, Lockwood! - Yes, sir?

- Hop in. - Me, sir?

- Yes, you! - Cor!

Shall we do a Cuban eight today, sir?

What'd your mother wean you on, raw meat?

When we could afford it, sir.

(Lockwood Singing)

- Hello, chum. - Hello.

[ Continues Singing ]

- Does that sound a bit familiar to you? - No, just rather touching.

It is, rather, isn't it? Say, are you sure you never saw me on the music halls?

Used to write all me own words and music.

- Simply rolled out of me. - Sounds very charming.

Oh, very. You sure you won't come with me to the recreation center?

- Not tonight, thank you. - Not even for the jumbo malt...

or one of those gorgeous marshmallow chocolate sundaes with clotted cream and nuts?

- You aren't feeling queasy in the tummy again, are you? - No.

Oh. I could let you have a Mother Sills.

- No, thank you. - Well, as we Americans say...

I'll be seein' ya, pal!

(Lockwood Singing)

- Catchy, isn't it, sir? - Sensational.

I thought you'd like it, sir.

- Yes? - (Steve) May I come in?

- Please do, sir. - Go ahead. Stretch out. Take it easy.

-Just got a minute. - I was just lying down. I'm quite all right.

Good. I, uh, found something among my souvenirs.

Thought you might like to have it.

- That's my father. - There's a date on the back.

Pretty faded.

"April 8, 1918."

It was just two days before he was shot down.

Yeah, we had quite a talk that day.

You English don't usually loosen up very much, but-

I don't know. He was just a kid, and maybe he had a hunch.

I remember we got to talking about his place down at, um- at, um-

- Compton-on-the-Wye? - And about his mother.

- She must've been quite a gal. - She still is, sir.

I started to get in touch with her once or twice, but you know how it is.

I wish you had. She would've liked that.

Talked a lot about you boys too. There are two of you, aren't there?

There were.

My brother Tom was shot down over Wilhelmshaven about 10 weeks ago.

I'm sorry. Have a smoke.

- Won't you have one of mine, sir? - No, go ahead. Try these.

Thank you.

By the way, Stackhouse, you're not afraid of flying, are you?

I don't think so. I'm not afraid of getting hurt, if that's what you mean.

Sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have asked that.

I'm glad you did, sir, if you believe me.

Sit down.

Listen, Pete, this is a big war.

There's lots of jobs in it beside flying.

Take the tank corps.

Those guys have really got it. Or those stone crushers in the infantry.

Nobody's ever won a war without them yet.

- Is that right? - Yes, sir.

There's lots of people can't fly...

but that's no reflection on 'em.

A guy just finds he can't get his head and feet all to move at the same time.

He lacks that little mystical something called coordination.

You know, it takes guts to fly, and it takes guts not to fly.

Does this mean you're going to wash me out, sir?

Well, you've been up there three times now. The same thing's happened every time.

Don't wash me out, sir. I'll get over it, I'm sure I will.

- Yeah, but there's a war on, you know. - Give me a few more days.

- I'll be all right. - I'd like to, Pete.

But we've got to think about what's best for your country.

They need fliers, and they need 'em quick.

Suppose I let you go up there alone, you get killed?

I'm asking you to take that chance, sir.

I studied medicine. I know what's wrong with me. It's just a conditional reflex.

- A what? - Subconscious fear of falling.

I seem to freeze up. I can cure myself of it if you only give me time.

- Did you know that when you came here? - Yes, sir.

- Then why'd you come? - Afraid it's rather a long story, sir.

Go ahead, shoot. I got all night.

Well, it really has to do with my grandmother in England.

- Your grandmother? - Yes, she's quite a remarkable woman.

Still rides every day even if she is past 70.

Still rides every day even if she is past 70.

It all started a little more than 10 weeks ago.

Grandmother was just returning from her usual morning ride.

A boy from the post office was waiting for her with a telegram.

I expect she knew what was in it.

She just held out her hand and said-

- You don't need to tell me. The king's service. - Oh, milady!

I came out without my spectacles. Read it to me, boy.

"Lady Jane Stackhouse, the Air Ministry regrets to inform you...

that your grandson, Thomas Stackhouse"-

- Master Thomas? - Ellen. Go on.

"Has been killed in action over Wilhelmshaven."

Take Lady Bess round to the stables. There's a good boy.

Trunk line, please.

I want to speak to London, please.

George V Military Hospital.

First aid casualty station number 9. Peter Stackhouse.

Not bad. Not bad at all for an intern.

Pretty soon, you won't need us old fellows at all.

- I knew you were on hand, sir, just in case. - Oh, yes.

I thought of that too.

- Telephone, sir. - Take the call for me, please.

It's a trunk call, sir, from Compton-on-the-Wye.

- Thank you. Will you excuse me, sir? - Certainly.

Hello? Hello, Grandma.

Very well, thank you. And you?

Splendid. Did you ride this morning?

You did? I envy you.

Yes, frightfully busy as usual.

What?

Oh, Tom.

Wilhelmshaven?

I'll come down at once.

No, don't meet me. I'm not sure what train I can get.

Yes. Yes, of course, Grandma.

I know he would have wanted it to be that way.

I thought you ought to know, there'll be �25,000 less for you if ever I decide to die...

which, I warn you, I have no intention of doing...

with the world in the state it is now.

However, as compensation...

I've given you three lumps, ration or no ration.

Thank you, Grandma.

I've been trying to write a letter to go with it.

It's very difficult.

But I always did hate writing letters.

Didn't Grandpa say it was because you never learned to spell properly?

In my day, a woman with a good figure didn't have to spell.

"Dear Mr. Churchill, I've just received news...

"of the death of my grandson, Thomas Stackhouse...

"in action over Wilhelmshaven...

"and I want to make an immediate reply...

"in the way I know would have been his and his father's reply-

"by striking back straight to the mark.

"I'm asking you, therefore, to purchase for me...

"a suitable aircraft, preferably a bomber...

"with which to carry on his work.

"With the deepest regrets that I have no more sons or grandsons...

"to take it into battle...

I remain as always your devoted servant, Jane Stackhouse."

Have you forgotten me?

I spoke to the superintendent before I left the hospital.

He's agreed that I be transferred to the R.A.F. immediately.

You'd better add a postscript.

Ask Mr. Churchill to have that bomber available for me as soon as I've learned to fly.

I've wanted to fly for a long time.

Always, I think.

We used to talk about it, Tom and I.

As long as he was flying, I didn't mind so much.

But, Peter, your work at the hospital, that's important too.

- Have you forgotten that? - No.

Then think of yourself. You know you're not fitted for this sort of thing.

- Nonsense. I'm perfectly all right. - It isn't nonsense.

All your life, you've been affected by heights.

You've had- what you call it- a conditional reflex.

Don't know where you got it. Not from me, I'm sure.

Perhaps it was that fall from your horse when you were seven.

That's absurd.

- I got up and rode again, didn't I? - Yes.

But you've never quite got over it.

That's nothing serious or unusual.

- I'll make myself get over it. - How?

By reconditioning myself. By forcing myself to fly.

By exercising some of the willpower I inherited from you, Grandma.

Forgive me, Peter.

- I'm afraid I've behaved very badly. - You could never behave badly.

[ Chuckles ]

I remember the day your father told me he was going into the Royal Flying Corps.

It was the World War then.

He was standing just where you are, Peter, with his pipe in his mouth.

I hope you've got a nice pipe.

Suddenly, he said something I've never forgotten.

It was by an American, I believe. Emerson.

"For what avail the plow or sail...

or land or life if freedom fail."

You're the last of your line, Peter. The last Stackhouse.

All your life, I've looked forward to you and Tom marrying...

coming here, filling the house with fine, young rascals.

I've even thought of myself as here with them-

a sweet, old lady with a white kerchief and a- and a wheelchair.

You in a wheelchair?

I've been a very silly, selfish old woman.

But you'll understand, I'm not any longer.

I'm a very proud old woman, Peter...

proud and angry...

who's suddenly discovered how very stupid life could be...

without someone buzzing around up there.

Come down here.

And now, run along. I'll join you...

as soon as I've written to Mr. Churchill.

And this time, I don't care whether I spell it properly or not.

He'll know what I mean.

"Dear Mr. Churchill"-

What a dame.

I didn't intend to say anything about that.

It's not the sort of thing one blabs about.

Okay, Pete.

Forget it. But you gotta promise me one thing.

Yes, sir?

If you do get sick up there again, watch out down below.

Be sure Barratt and MacDonald aren't there.

( Man on P.A. ) Attention, all aviation cadets.

All aviation cadets, unless previously notified to the contrary...

will be permitted to absent themselves from the base today, Saturday...

from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m..

[ Cheering, Shouting ]

Hey, Bill, you got a date?

You said it, with a million-dollar baby!

- Has she got a friend? - Yeah- me!

[ Speaking Chinese ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

- [ Clears Throat ] - Oh, pardon me. May I help you?

- We'd like some stockings, please. - Any particular color?

Well, uh, what colors are there?

Oh, there's Desert Sand, Honey Beige, Nude.

Wait. I'll show them to you.

What size?

- Um, 36. - Thirty-six?

- And a 42 for me. - Forty-two?

- You see, they're for my grandmother. - And my mother.

She's the solid British type, you know.

I see. Well, how big is your grandmother?

Well, she's-

Look. Mother.

I think about 10 and a half.

Wouldn't you like to look around a bit too?

- Thank you. - Thank you very much.

- How about those? - No, a little bit too large.

- You like these? - They're slightly on the other side.

She must've been born on a horse.

The ankles seem right anyhow.

Oh, cor! What a grandmother.

Are you playing some sort of a game?

- Well, uh- - Oh, no. We were just trying to look at your legs.

- I mean - - Did you like them?

I thought they were gorgeous. I really did.

- Thank you. - Look, here, I say-

- Yes? - I hope you're not angry.

That you were interested in my legs? Why, not at all.

- That's what they're there for. - We're really terribly sorry.

Don't apologize. I'm flattered.

We weren't trying just to look at your legs.

No, it's his grandmother's legs.

Oh. His grandmother's legs.

You see, it's almost impossible to get them in England.

- To get what? Legs? - No.

- Stockings. - Oh, stockings.

Well, to put it very bluntly, we were trying to decide just what size to buy.

- For Grandma. - Nine.

Now may I go, or are there any other little intimate details you'd like to know?

- Uh, please wait. - I know it's very thoughtless of me...

but I have an engagement.

Couldn't you postpone it and have tea with us instead?

- No. - It would give us time to apologize properly.

We've heard so much about the friendliness of the West.

And you wouldn't want us to go away with a false impression of American hospitality, would you?

If you were in London, we'd have tea with you.

After all, it isn't as if we were total strangers.

Do they give you a course at Thunderbird on how to pick up American girls?

It comes under the heading of initiative.

I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid I can't possibly go to tea with you, Mr.-

- Stackhouse. - Lockwood.

Saunders. But I might take you to tea with me.

- You might? - I say!

If only for the sake of international solidarity.

But not, of course, until we've disposed of Grandma's legs.

Well, here we are.

Here?

Whether you know it or not, you're a couple of angels of mercy...

for the rest of the afternoon.

Hands forward. Rock.

- Hands off. Sit back. - [ Groans ]

You see? You repeat the operation 12 or 15 times a minute.

And remember, rhythm is the important thing. Now, try again. Forward.

- [ Groans ] - No. Not so much pressure.

- Hello, Miss Blake. - Hello, Kay.

May I present Mr. Stackhouse and Mr. Lockwood.

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

They're both so interested in our work that they begged me...

to let them come in and serve as patients.

Well, how nice. Of course, our lesson for the day is almost over.

- But if any of the girls would like to stay- - Oh, I do!

- [ Voices Overlapping ] - Oh, me too!

- Oh. Hello. - All right, go right ahead.

- It isn't often we get men to practice on. - (Peter) Thank you.

- Shall we all lie on the floor? - Oh, no, no.

It isn't necessary at all.

Just take off your coat, roll up your sleeve, and I'm gonna try my tourniquet.

Cor!

Red Cross sure covers a lot of territory, don't it, son?

Too much.

- There. How's that? - It's marvelous. May I call you Miss Nightingale?

It's beautiful, but I'm afraid I'd have bled to death before now.

- What? - My pulse is still beating.

Why, it couldn't be. I've been practicing tourniquets all week.

Hello, Pete. What seems to be the trouble?

Nothing, sir. I was just going to explain to Miss Saunders...

about the tourniquet point, or pressure point, where the artery crosses the bone.

Sure. Go right ahead. Sounds fascinating.

You seem to know everything you need to know about anatomy, Mr. Stackhouse.

- Well, we doctors always do- - Doctor-

- Mm-hmm. - My error.

- Any of you boys feel the need of a little first aid? - Yes, sir!

Well, come on in. Come on in.

Heaps of pretty girls in here with just the kind of medicine you need...

at your age.

- Wait a minute. - Hey, you!

You! Come on in here.

You fellows have been bleeding to death by yourselves long enough.

Come on in here, youse. See the girls. Get some help.

(Woman) Oh, my!

[ Gasping, Muttering ]

I telephoned I'd pick you up at the ranch this afternoon.

Yes, I know.

You know? Then what are you doing here? Why didn't you wait?

Perhaps I preferred to be picked up by someone else.

Now, listen, sweetheart, you can save those subtle little digs...

for some guy that doesn't know any better.

Don't waste 'em on me. And what's more...

if you're worried about somebody's arteries, what's the matter with mine?

Nothing, darling. They're lovely, I'm sure.

Now, come on. Get up on the table like a good little boy.

- Do I have to? - Yeah.

There.

Lie down.

Hey, take it easy.

[ Shouting In Chinese ]

- You aren't gonna put that on me, are you? - [ Laughs ]

We'll drive out to Biltmore for a cocktail...

have dinner at the Westward Ho...

then I'll drive you home... the long way.

- It sounds lovely, Steve. -Just like old times, huh?

- There. How's that? - Swell. Now, let's get out of here.

Oh, wait a minute. I haven't finished yet.

Tiny, will you take over for a while?

And how does the little patient feel?

Fine. Fine.

- Ready? - Ready?

- Well, you asked me to go to tea, didn't you? - Yes, but you said-

- Can't I change my mind? - But I gathered that you and Mr. Britt are-

Oh, no. He's all tied up for the afternoon.

Hey!

[ Women Screaming ]

- Oh, look! He's hurt himself!. - Our first accident!

[ Voices Overlapping ]

[ Screaming, Gasping ]

[ Tires Screeching ]

- Hey, wait a minute. What's the big idea? - There, there now, son.

Take it easy. We're doin' all we can for you.

[ Man ] Come on. Get him in there.

[ Woman ] Take it away!

[ Screaming ]

W-What's going on here?

Civilian defense.

I've never really known an Englishman before.

- You typical? - I suppose so.

Don't have a title, do you?

A... very little one. You object to titles?

- I never thought about it. - Neither have I.

- By the way, what are you? A duke? - Nothing so grand, I'm afraid.

Do you know Steve Britt very well?

Yes. He's my instructor.

He's a great flier, isn't he?

He's a great everything, in my opinion.

That was my grandfather who came in with him.

- Yes, I know. - He's awfully rich.

How nice.

I mean, at the moment.

He's always making it and losing it.

Never matters to him whether he has a dime or not, just the fun of making it.

- Do you think Americans are money-grubbers? - Some of them may be.

- I wouldn't say it was purely an American trait. - Thanks, now.

I traveled around the world once.

Everywhere I went, I saw churches and schools and hospitals- even in the jungle-

all built with American money for somebody else to use.

I never saw any German or Japanese philanthropies.

I could almost kiss you for that.

What a stunning idea.

Figuratively, milord.

Oh.

- Good night. It's been fun. - It's been great fun.

By the way, do you ride?

- I was born on a horse. - Will you come ride with me?

- Anytime. - Good night.

Good night, sir.

Good night, sir.

Good night.

- Hello, honey. - Hello. Is this a new listening post?

- That's right. - Hear anything interesting?

Quite a lot. What's it all mean, Kay?

It means that I had a lovely time and that I like him.

- That all? - I don't know yet.

Wouldn't be trying to make me jealous, would you?

Really, Steve. You're marvelous. What an idea!

I just wanted to remind you he's a very nice guy.

- He might think you meant it. - And he might be right.

Go ahead. Sink your teeth into these hot dogs.

- Hot dogs? - Yes.

The great American delicacy.

Hope you don't like women who pretend to be delicate eaters.

You should see my grandmother eat.

Most women are such awful liars about food...

especially in front of men, before they're married.

As if the man didn't know women had stomachs.

Steve Britt used to swear that I had an alarm clock inside of me...

which went off every five hours on the dot.

Have you known Steve Britt very long?

I met him three years ago. The regular planes from New York were grounded...

so I hired him to fly me out here.

It was Gramps's birthday. First thing I knew...

he'd set me right down in the middle of a desert...

and was threatening to leave me there...

unless I promised to turn right around, fly back to New York with him.

- Why should he do a thing like that? - He said he was in love with me.

- Did you go with him? - Course.

Were you in love with him?

Head over heels.

It was wonderful, long as it lasted.

Are you still in love with him?

You like Steve, and you're wondering...

whether it's all right for you to be out with me, aren't you?

How'd you know?

Well, Englishmen usually aren't so inquisitive.

But all right. I'll tell you.

I do like Steve, tremendously.

Sometimes I think I'm in love with him.

I've got enough sense to know he'd make a horrible husband. He'd never stay put.

You sure you'd like a husband to stay put?

I wondered about that myself.

The men at the field think he's great- all of them.

Yes, I know. That's awfully important to a woman.

I mean, to know that other men like him.

And too, he's just enough older than I am to be very fascinating.

I wonder if you realize what an amazing person you are.

Should we leave it there for now? I'm hungry.

Fella that gets Kay sure got to step, son.

He can't let any grass grow under his feet.

If I was courtin' a girl, you bet I'd get up early.

- I wouldn't let the other fella beat me out. - I got here at 11:00.

- I would have made it 10:00. - Hello, Steve.

- Shh, now. We're busy. - Hello, Kay. Stackhouse. Have a nice ride?

- Yes, sir. It was wonderful. - Hope he hasn't caught you cheating again, Gramps.

I don't get caught.

Doggone it! Every card I play- Say, you didn't shuffle these cards.

[ Laughs ]

Sorry we weren't here, Steve. Why didn't you let me know you were coming?

That's okay. I was out this way, thought I'd drop in for a little game with Gramps.

- And have I been taking him. - Sixty-four cents in me.

[ Chuckling ]

Not counting this hand.

I'll try two.

Oh! There he goes again.

- Luckiest man I ever saw in my life. - At cards?

- Course you'll be staying for dinner, won't you, Steve? - I'm sorry. I have work to do.

- On Sunday? - Go on, Gramps. Give me my dough. I have to go.

What's all this tomfoolishness about leaving when Kay gets here?

Maybe if you're free some night this week, I'll have that dinner with you.

I'd love to, Steve. Some night when you don't have to work.

Are you going straight back to the field, sir?

- Yeah, sure. - Mind if I come along with you?

You mean you're not staying for dinner?

No, sir. My leave ends at 7:00 p.m.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Okay. Let's go.

- Good-bye, Kay. I've had a marvelous time. - It was fun, wasn't it?

- Good-bye, Mr. Saunders. - Good-bye, sir.

- Good-bye, Steve! - Good-bye.

Can't make up your mind which one to let bite the apple, can you?

You serpent! [ Hisses ]

- [ Hisses ] - (chuckles)

- [ Knocking ] - (Steve) Who is it?

- Stackhouse. - Come in.

- Did I wake you, sir? - No, I just turned in. Close the door.

I had to speak to you.

Okay. Sit down.

- Cigarette? - Thanks.

What is it, Stackhouse?

I'm in love with Kay.

Mm-hmm. What about it?

I'm going to ask her to marry me.

What are you coming to me for? I'm not her grandfather.

- No, but... I know how you feel about her. - Do you?

I know you were in love with her.

I'm still in love with her.

I know if it weren't for you, I wouldn't still be here.

You're afraid I'll wash you out. Is that it?

No.

How do you know I won't?

What would you do in my spot?

I don't know.

Okay, Stackhouse.

I told you I'd give you every chance to make the grade as a pilot...

because I figured you had it in you.

That still goes.

Thank you, sir.

Personally, I might hate your guts.

But that has nothing to do with flying.

As far as you and I and... Kay are concerned, that's a different matter.

I don't believe you can take her away from me. What do you think of that?

If I don't, it won't be for lack of trying, sir.

Well, good night, sir.

Thank you for letting me talk to you.

- It's been a pleasure. - (Door Closes)

- Oh, Stackhouse? - Yes, sir?

How many hours dual have you had?

- Twelve, sir. - Well, get your parachute and come along, will you?

- I'd like to give you a check flight. - Now, sir?

It's about time you had your solo, don't you think?

- Well, yes, sir. - Hurry, will you? I'll be waiting.

Yes, sir.

I'll take her down, Stackhouse.

[ Engine Stops ]

Oh, not feeling so well, eh, Stackhouse?

- I'm all right, sir. - Splendid.

That's all.

Mr. Britt, sir. Stackhouse just had his check flight, sir.

- Yeah? - I'm afraid he was sick again, sir.

That's too bad. I'm sorry to hear it.

You don't think he'll be washed out, do you, sir?

That's not up to me.

(Man on P.A.) Attention, all eliminees. Attention, all eliminees.

Report to transportation immediately.

On the double.

[ Man ] So long, Charlie.

Don't let them get you down, Joe.

- A bombardier's just as exciting. - Sure.

So long, Charlie. Tough break.

- It's okay. There are plenty of other jobs. - Right.

Sir? Colonel MacDonald would like to see you in his office.

Thanks.

Colonel MacDonald and I have been going over the records of the Britt Escadrille.

- Nice job. - Thanks.

Only one man in the whole lot not up to scratch.

- Yeah? Who's that? - Stackhouse.

- Stackhouse? - Yeah. Too bad. Looks like we're gonna have to wash him out.

Must be a mistake. Stackhouse is gonna make one of the best pilots we have here.

If that's the case, why haven't you let him solo?

- He isn't ready. - All the other men in his class have.

They must have been ready.

I know how you feel about those kids ofyours, Steve. It's the mother instinct in you.

I'm going to recommend that Stackhouse be returned to the medical corps.

- Okay. You're the boss. But if he goes, I go too. - What?

Now look, Mac. If I'm the right man for this job...

then you gotta take my word about my kids.

Don't wanna do that, you better get yourself another boy.

- But he's had 12 hours in the air and still gets sick. - I know all about that.

Some kink in him that's holding him back. Whatever it is...

it's up to me to find it and straighten it out, and I will.

And in the meantime, we're going to hold up the war.

You might as well, Barratt...

'cause it's gonna take guys like Stackhouse to win it.

I know all about that boy- his whole background...

his father, his grandmother and what all this means to him.

Things I can't even tell you about because I promised him I wouldn't.

Things that spell "flier" to me.

I don't want to be personal, Steve...

but you aren't by any chance being noble about Stackhouse, are you?

I wouldn't know about that, Mac.

You'll have to figure that out for yourself.

The average life of a fighter in the R.A.F. is what?

On the other hand, they tell me doctors marry young and live forever.

(Man Reading) "Fourth of July party.

(Man Reading) "Fourth of July party.

"I'm going to have a Fourth of July party at my ranch next Saturday...

"and it wouldn't surprise me if a heap of pretty girls...

found out about it and came a-running."

Cor!

Whatever in the world is a Fourth of July party?

It's the American celebration of their independence from England, sonny. See?

- Not really. - What cheek!

(People Whooping, Shouting)

[ Chattering ]

Don't be a fool, Peter. You can't ride that bronc. He's the worst bucking horse in Arizona.

- Why, Gramps says he's as gentle as a dog. - He put you up to this?

Only as a sporting proposition.

Why, you can't do it. Why, you might break your neck.

At least I'll go home with a wound stripe.

(Shouting, Cheering)

I bet this is your bright idea.

Well, I always wanted to see an Englishman ride a bucking horse.

[ English Accent ] Odd combination, isn't it, old bean?

( Cheering Continues )

[ Folk ]

[ Rhythmic Clapping ]

(Continues)

- Howdy, son. - Hi.

- Will you join me in a little piece of steak? - No, thanks, Gramps.

(Continues)

She run off somewheres with the young English squirt?

- Why don't you go down there and get her? - She knows what she's doing.

Ah, fun-di-diddle.

The smartest woman that ever lived...

didn't have sense enough to come in out of the rain till she was at least 30.

- Now, that's statistics. - It's no use, Gramps.

She's fallen for him hook, line and sinker.

- She say so? - No, but I can tell.

- How? - She's been so nice to me today.

Now, listen, son. Kay's not a bad girl.

Well, maybe she ain't any too good a girl either.

But she's everything in the world to me. She's part of my heart.

But that don't blind me to the fact that she's a woman...

and kind of flighty like all the rest.

If you had half the gumption I give you credit for, you'd see that.

- Now go on down there and do like I said. - It's no use.

- Couple of kids like that- - Ah, so that's what's eatin'you.

Now, listen. I was 20 years older than my wife.

Twenty-two, according to her calculations.

Would you think that worried me? No, siree.

What worried me was, was she young enough for me?

- You love her, don't you? - I'm nuts about her.

Well, then, go on down there and do like I say.

I don't want any wishy-washy, broken-down flier in my family.

[ Shouting ]

Oh, look.

Someday, maybe the whole world will be lighted like that again.

- Of course it will be. - Can you imagine London...

with lights again after all these years of darkness?

Children who have been born in blackouts...

seeing the lights of a great city for the first time.

Old people who have given up hopes of ever seeing them again...

suddenly coming out of their holes in the ground...

and beginning to live like human beings.

It will be the most wonderful night in the history of the world.

That's why I want to learn to fly.

I want to help turn those lights on again...

not to be just a butcher up there, killing other men for some empty victory...

for a peace that was only the first shot of a new war.

I want to help make it really mean something this time...

to make sure those lights never have to go off again...

not for a single night.

Kay, just now you said...

"It'll be the most wonderful night in the history of the world."

Can't we share it together?

I love you. You know that.

I have from the very first minute I ever saw you.

Will you marry me?

I don't know, Peter.

- You don't love me? - I'm not sure yet.

- You're afraid of hurting Steve. - Perhaps.

And perhaps it's because I'm afraid of hurting you...

if I ever found out I was still in love with him.

I've got to be sure of myself, Peter...

because once I've decided, it'll be forever.

I'll wait.

It's a horrible thing to say...

but when I first met you, I was trying desperately to fall in love with somebody else.

I wanted to hurt Steve, make him jealous...

get him out of my system all at once.

Yet all I've done is hurt you both...

and confused myself.

I love you, Kay.

Steve? I been lookin' for you.

- Shoot. - The inspectors are here today...

and they've been asking some very embarrassing questions about that class of yours.

- Yeah? - They wanna know why your boys are being held back.

- You know what I told 'em? - What?

That the situation would be cleared up immediately. Today, in fact.

Look, Steve, I'm not interested in your personal problems.

I'm here to run this school and do a job.

There's a new class of British boys coming in here very shortly.

I want everything cleaned up and out of the way before they get here.

- Okay, Mac. - Personally, I think you're wasting your time...

as well as ours tryin' to make a flier out of Stackhouse.

But whether you are or not, you'd better make up your mind right now, today.

Otherwise, I'm gonna have to make it up for you.

[ Exhales ]

[ Motor Revving ]

Contact!

Listen, you were kicking that bronco all over the corral yesterday.

You didn't freeze up every time he bucked, did you?

The time he came down stiff-legged, you eased down with him.

When he twisted and spun around, you rolled your body right with him.

Trouble with you is you been trying too hard.

You been stiffening up in the saddle.

When this ship noses down, don't yank the stick back suddenly.

You tried that yesterday, you'd have pulled that horse over backwards, right?

The next time this baby starts to act up or gets nervous...

just remember he's got a tender mouth.

Don't try to yank him suddenly, unbalance him.

Give him a chance to recover. Straighten him out gradually.

Ease up! Relax.

Okay, cowboy. Now you got the idea.

It's your horse. Go on and ride him.

I been telling Barratt and MacDonald you could fly this crate.

They don't believe it. They say you haven't got it in you.

Well, I'm gonna give you a chance to prove either that they're liars or I'm a sucker.

Whichever way it comes out, it's okay with me.

You can talk to yourself for a while.

I'm going for a little stroll.

( Wind Whistling )

How many ships are out?

- They're all in but one, sir. Britt and a student. - Right.

Yes, one of your training ships.

I saw him circling around over Camelback Ravine.

It looks like he's in trouble to me.

( Engine Stops )

( Wind Whistling )

Those tactics might be all right in a barnstorming circus, but not here.

I can't imagine what you were thinking of, bailing out of a ship in a sandstorm.

I didn't see any sandstorm when I jumped. I'm not that big a fool.

Leaving that boy up there alone when you knew he couldn't handle a plane?

He made the greatest landing I ever saw.

He cracked up, didn't he? He wrecked a ship.

The wind turned her over after he set her down.

We had a perfect record until you came here.

I might've known something like this would happen.

Is that another way of saying I'm canned, Mac?

I'm sorry, Steve, but I warned you.

Colonel MacDonald, he was only trying to give me a chance.

I understand that, Stackhouse, and I blame myself.

I should've washed you out of here weeks ago.

When you're through, report to your squadron leader, Barratt.

He'll have your transfer papers ready.

[ Sighs ] Tough luck, Pete.

It's all right, sir. At least I know I can fly.

Thanks to you.

You shouldn't have done it for me.

What gives you the idea I did it for you?

Your father was a friend of mine, wasn't he?

Besides, they say there's a great future in parachute jumping.

Guy can't stick to the same job all his life. I might want to better myself.

Oh!

[ Swing ]

You know, there's one thing I just love about you English: your sense of fair play.

No matter what a man does, you always give him another chance, don't you?

Yes. That is, uh, if he deserves it.

You see that man over there, the one with the white hair?

- Yes? - A few years ago, he stole an awful lot of money from a bank.

Literally ruined hundreds of people.

Then he got to thinking about it and came back...

and said he wanted to make whatever restitution he could.

- Hmm. And, uh, did he? - Uh-huh. He was so sincere, a lot of people-

even those who should have hated him most-

- decided to give him another chance. - Huh.

And now, he's one of the finest and most respected men in the state.

- Splendid. - I told Colonel MacDonald I knew you'd feel that way about it.

Oh, naturally. Anyone can make a mistake.

Then you will do it, won't you?

- Do what? - Give Peter Stackhouse another chance.

- Stackhouse? - Colonel MacDonald's wanted to do it all along...

but since Peter's in the R.A.F., he felt it was up to you.

Colonel MacDonald hasn't even mentioned it to me.

Well, it's rather a personal favor, you know.

He's such an old friend of Steve Britt's...

and he knows how badly Steve feels about it.

But now that you're willing, I can't wait to tell him.

- Mildred, may I cut in? - Of course, Kay.

I just love Mr. Barratt.

Seems to me you love a lot of people around here.

He has such a wonderful sense of fair play...

only of course he feels it's your job and he hates to bring it up.

- Bring what up? - You see that man over there, the one with the white hair?

- Yes? - I was telling him...

about a horrible mistake that man made a few years ago.

Really? What did he do?

Left his wife and three babies for another woman.

But then he got to thinking about it and came back...

and pleaded so hard for a second chance that his wife took him back.

Now he's one of the finest and most respected men in the state.

- Well, isn't that wonderful? - I told Mr. Barratt I knew you'd feel that way about it.

Just a moment. What are you trying to say?

That Mr. Barratt would love to give Peter Stackhouse another chance...

but of course you're head of the school and he doesn't like to interfere.

- But you don't mind interfering. - Well, I'm an American...

and I'd hate to think that we aren't as fair-minded as the British.

Yes. Well, I suppose if Barratt feels as strongly about it as you say-

- Then you will? - If you promise to be at the field tomorrow morning...

- to see that I don't forget. - ( Music Ends )

Oh, thanks! I hope you didn't mind my cutting in like that.

- The pleasure was all mine. Tom? - Yeah.

I want you to meet a great admirer of yours.

Miss Saunders, Mr. MacDonald, my brother.

- How do you do? - Your brother?

- How do you do? - [ Laughing ]

[ Laughing ]

[ Laughing ]

(Airplane Passing Overhead)

- Look. Isn't he marvelous? - What'd I tell you? Not even a flutter.

They didn't believe you when you said he could fly.

I knew he could.

You really go for that guy, don't you?

I'm in love with him, Steve. I'm going to marry him.

Sure. I could have told you that weeks ago.

You knew and yet you made a flier out of him in spite of it?

I made a flier out of him, my eye! He had it in him all the time.

All I did was iron a few of the kinks out.

Okay, Steve. But thanks just the same.

[ Chuckles ]

What are you going to do, Steve?

Oh, I'll find a spot somewhere.

But they don't really want you to go.

They couldn't after you've proved you're right.

Ah, Mac's been doing a lot of talking. I don't know.

Ferry command looks kind of hot to me.

I always did like to travel.

Don't be a fool, Steve. You can't leave here now.

- Why shouldn't I? - Look what you've done for Peter and the other boys.

And this is only the beginning.

Why, there'll be hundreds of others just like them...

with kinks to be ironed out.

You said yourself that this war will be won...

on fields like this, by boys like these.

But they can't win it unless they know their jobs.

And how are they going to learn unless men like you stay here and teach them?

Besides, now that you won't have a little dame like me on your mind-

[ Both Chuckle ]

[ Engine Sputtering ]

What's gone wrong?

His motor's conked. Hey, who did that? That's a frame-up!

- (Engine Stops ) - Ambulance!

( Wind Blowing)

[ Siren Wailing ]

[ Siren Continues ]

Whew!

Steve, he did it. [ Whimpers ]

[ Shouting, Cheering ]

Oh!

(Man Narrating) There they go, the Thunderbird pilots.

No longer novices, no longer boys being trained, no longer fledglings.

They're out of the cradle now. They're experts. They're veterans.

Thunderbird Field has done its job. Now the boys do theirs.

Watch them fly, these young pilots who send their messages in the form of bombs.

These young Englishmen are going to bomb Berlin...

just as they bombed Essen, Cologne and D�sseldorf.

These young Chinese will harry the Japanese invaders...

from the Yangtze to the Yellow River.

They have a score to settle with Tokyo. They'll settle it. Watch them.

And these young American Thunderbirds...

have some bombs and bullets up their sleeves too.

These are the young men who are fighting for the rights of free people everywhere.

These are the pilots. These are the Thunderbirds.

They know their job. They'll do it.

But they might never have become pilots if the men on the ground hadn't served them so well.

Let us pay homage to the instructors too.

To the Steve Britts everywhere, who teach men how to fly and fight and win.

Hey, boy. My name's Britt.

- What's your name? - Atkinson, sir.

Atkinson, huh?

You with the freckles. What's your name?

Percival Archibald Couverneur Smythe, sir.

Okay, Red.