IMDb RATING
6.3/10
4.2K
YOUR RATING
An ex-pilot and current baseballer is recalled into the U.S. Air Force and assumes an increasingly important role in Cold War deterrence.An ex-pilot and current baseballer is recalled into the U.S. Air Force and assumes an increasingly important role in Cold War deterrence.An ex-pilot and current baseballer is recalled into the U.S. Air Force and assumes an increasingly important role in Cold War deterrence.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
Rosemary DeCamp
- Mrs. Thorne
- (as Rosemary De Camp)
John McKee
- Capt. Symington
- (as John R. McKee)
Harry Morgan
- Sgt. Bible - Flight Engineer
- (as Henry Morgan)
Mary Ellen Batten
- Woman in Cafe
- (uncredited)
Helen Brown
- Nurse
- (uncredited)
Glen Denning
- Sgt. Jones - Radio Operator
- (uncredited)
Bess Flowers
- Party Guest
- (uncredited)
Don Haggerty
- Major - Patrol Commander
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJames Stewart joined the Army Air Corps during World War II, and flew combat missions in Europe. At war's end, he transferred to the Reserve as a colonel. He remained an active pilot in the Air Force Reserve, and was trained on the B-36 and B-47 bombers which he flew in this film. He flew one combat mission over Vietnam in a B-52. He retired as Brigadier General James Maitland Stewart, USAFR in 1968. In 1985 he was promoted on the retired list to Major General (by his friend, President Ronald Reagan), making him the highest ranking member of the military of anyone ever in the acting profession.
- GoofsAt one point, Dutch refers to his old aircraft as a B-24, not a B-29 as mentioned earlier in the film (an understandable mistake, since Jimmy Stewart commanded a B-24 Liberator during WWII, flying 29 combat missions).
- Quotes
Sergeant: [Seeing General Hawkes speaking to the men on the flight line while smoking a cigar, whispering to Holland] Sir, that cigar. Doesn't the general know that the aircraft might explode?
Lt. Col. Robert 'Dutch' Holland: It wouldn't dare.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Entertainment This Week Salutes Paramount's 75th Anniversary (1987)
- SoundtracksThe Air Force Takes Command
Music by Victor Young
Lyrics by Ned Washington and Major Tommy Thomson Jr.
Featured review
Without sounding like some "tech-head" and quoting all sorts of technical jargon, I've just got to say, that one of the main reasons for enjoying this Cold War pic is the sheer visual impact. The flight sequence where Dutch is sent out in a Peacemaker is incredible. The color, clouds, and air-to-air photography is stunning. My one thought through the movie was, "What a shame the Steady-cam wasn't around."
One of the classic film cable channels has been showing what appears to be a well restored print, and I wonder if a DVD version will be avaliable, at some date.
And, if you are a plane fan, seeing a B-36 in motion is impressive, too. It's something to see a flight deck that has no computer, digital display, ot high tech flight control. Dials! Propellers! Incredible!
And yes, being a car fan, too, I got a big charge out of this picture.
This is a great rainy/snowy/stay inside Sunday afternoon movie. Grab a drink, pop some popcorn, turn off the current world, and set "The Way-Back Machine" to the early 50's when the BAD GUY was a Bear, and the world was a safer place.
One of the classic film cable channels has been showing what appears to be a well restored print, and I wonder if a DVD version will be avaliable, at some date.
And, if you are a plane fan, seeing a B-36 in motion is impressive, too. It's something to see a flight deck that has no computer, digital display, ot high tech flight control. Dials! Propellers! Incredible!
And yes, being a car fan, too, I got a big charge out of this picture.
This is a great rainy/snowy/stay inside Sunday afternoon movie. Grab a drink, pop some popcorn, turn off the current world, and set "The Way-Back Machine" to the early 50's when the BAD GUY was a Bear, and the world was a safer place.
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $6,500,000
- Runtime1 hour 52 minutes
- Sound mix
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