Amazon.com: Demonstrations of classic military tactical procedures and excellent footage of vintage aircraft (like the rare B-36), combine here to give viewers a cold war primer on the Air Force's defense capabilities, circa 1955. Former World War II pilot James Stewart is called out of retirement to assist in the strengthening of the Strategic Air Command, the new bomber forces that are America's first line of defense against the Russian nuclear threat. Wife June Allyson sits at home and frets over her husband's devotion to duty, while Harry Morgan lends a hand on the aircraft. Through Stewart, director Anthony Mann takes us on an ersatz tour of the elite Air Force operations that safeguarded America at the time. Unless you're interested in the aircraft of the day or stateside propaganda techniques during the cold war, Strategic Air Command tends to be a bit of a yawner. --Mark Savary
Big Shiny Airplanes! Dutch Holland (James Stewart) was in the Air Force during WWII, but once his term was over, he picked up his old life again and joined a baseball league. He even got married to a beautiful and loving woman named Sally (June Allyson). One day, just when things are looking good for the family, he's asked to leave his job and join the Air Force again. Sally doesn't think he will, but he agrees quickly and loves his job. Despite the danger involved with flying, Dutch takes to it like a duck in water. He soon becomes in charge of his own crew, much to the chagrin of his wife.
This movie boasts its airplanes quite a lot and its popular cast not as much. In fact, Stewart requested to make this movie because of his own time in the Air Force during the war. He is excellent in the film, and doesn't seem to mind taking second billing to all of the aircraft. It is Allyson who suffers in a small role with little to do. This isn't a great Stewart-Allyson teaming, but it isn't a bad film. Thanks to the likable cast, one does not have to be interested in airplanes to enjoy the movie.
A Splendid Tribute to the B-36: "6 Turning, 4 Burning!" No airworthy B-36 exists, and I suspect the same is true of the B-47. This movie is pretty much all that we have left, and thus they have become the true "stars" of this film. For a splendid 5 minute sample from this film, type "B-36" into YouTube. I also recommend the Wikipedia entry on the B-36. The B-36 is the nec plus ultra of piston aviation, and still the largest combat airplane ever made. It could lift as much as the B-52 and fly at 420mph. With the jets turned off after takeoff, it could stay airborne for 40 hours, even longer, without in-air refueling, giving it a range exceeding that of the B-52.
The soaring score that accompanies the takeoff and flying is by Victor Young, a major Hollywood and Tin Pan Alley composer of the day. I wonder if it can be purchased separately.
I too remember the extreme tension of the Cold War, and consider the USA very lucky to have survived it without a major nuclear accident. The B-36 played a major but little acknowledged historical role during the worst years of the Cold War: if storing nuclear warheads in NATO Europe was limited by diplomatic considerations, then the B-36 was the only way to threaten the USSR with nuclear retaliation--the B-47 simply lacked the range. Few also know that the first generation hydrogen bomb weighed 43000 lbs. Such a bomb was utterly meaningless unless it could be carried several thousand miles. The B-36 had this awesome capability, even though it had been designed in ignorance of nuclear weapons.
True Story!!! Sometimes, Hollywood tells the truth--this is one of those times. Well-acted; well-told; and well-presented. This is part of your United States Air Force history; probably close to the lifetime of some of you; and within the lifetime of many!!! If you like airplanes; if you like good acting; if you like good stories (especially true ones); if you want to know how we got here now--don't miss it!!! Now, exactly what was going on when you were born??? Get the popcorn!
WHY NO DVD? Here's another great film that begs for a DVD - with appropriate extras (say some Air Force films about SAC, the B-36, and the B-47 as well as a time line of SAC/the Cold War, maybe even some interviews with former SAC flyers/commanders).
Let's see this one on DVD please, and done right.
Why not on DVD? I was in grammar school when this movie was released, and after having seen it, I can remember classmates discussing their favorite part of the film.
Yes, in retrospect in was a recuiting film, but you have to look at the times. We were being trained into "duck and cover". I remember crouching under school stairwells for air raid drills. People were building bomb shelters. Those were the times, that this movie must seen in context.
For those who find aviation fascinating, the photography of the B-36 is stunning, especially being in color. I purchased the VHS of the film years ago and was disappointed that it was not in the widescreen that I remembered from the theater; but widescreen was not available when the VHS was released.
I believe that there would be a great number of people who would purchase a widescreen version of this movie in DVD, along with "A Gathering of Eagles" just to have the photography of the B-36 and that of the B-52.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Not Available Comics
Trevor
