Central Airport

The only real evidence of the directorial touch (often a fist) of Wild Bill Wellman here are the well-done aviation scenes and the sexual tension. As a pre-code entry, Central Airport has a handful of scenes that would undoubtedly be axed a year later--- Dick and Sally canoodle in adjoining hotel rooms without the dubious benefit of marriage and the plot would've probably been reworked. As it goes, it's pure soap involving lost love and a few assorted body parts. Richard Barthemless's career was on the wane by 1933 and it's not hard to tell why. He's stiff and his acting style is far more suitable for silents. With the novelty of talkies worn off, Central Airport had to be one of Warner's biggest budgeted gambles of the year. It boasts some decent special effects and the crash scenes (and there's more than one) must've been spectacular for depression-era audiences who treated pilots back then like we saw astronauts in the 1960's. Whines: John Wayne's part defines the term 'bit'--- he's barely in the movie and you practically have to keep your eyes peeled to spot him (his other notable 1933 walk-on was in Warner's Babyface, but at least he's given some lines)--- back to the Warner's Lone Star low-budget oaters for him until John Ford decides he deserves another A-picture shot after a decade as a sometimes singin' cowboy. I also spotted WB chorus girl Pat Wing (Gill) (not credited by IMDb) in a crowd sequence standing horrified behind an announcer--- her ravishing sister, Toby is credited as originally being cast but apparently became an editing room casualty. Look for the still-breathing Charles Lane as a radio operator early on (happy 100th Mr. Lane!). I love pre-code talkies... Central Airport is by no means the best of the lot but it has just enough ingredients thrown in to hold your interest. If you want to see a far better example of 1933 Bill Wellman, see Wild Boys of the Road.

There's more to this movie than John Wayne in a bit part, there are some spectacular flying scenes involving a train, sincere performances by Richard Barthelmess and Sally Eilers, a strange one by Tom Brown. Except for the flying, there's very little sign of Wellman's directorial expertise in cinematic storytelling (unusual for his 30's films), but it's likable and entertaining enough. Interesting crash scenes, and the sexual aspect of the story is somewhat shocking while being quite tastefully depicted.

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Richard Barthelmess isn't the kind of film star people tend to remember these days, although he made a few good movies. "Central Airport" was made the year before Barthelmess was fired from "Warner Bros." and is a reasonably entertaining yarn. It's the flying sequences that are the main highlight, rather than the pointless, predictable romantic subplot. The film becomes turgid and dull but the climax is exciting enough.

Although they are not at their relative best in this rather routine drama, actor Richard Barthelmess (as Jim Blaine) and director William A. Wellman make "Central Airport" worth visiting. Mr. Barthelmess is in a familiar role as an accident prone World War I pilot. He catches Sally Eilers (as Jill Collins) hanging from a tree, after a parachute drop. This funny/sad sequence, early in the film, is a highlight - Ms. Eilers and Barthelmess have a great meeting, which is immediately followed by great tragedy. Although the two fall in love, Barthelmess won't marry; he thinks daredevil pilots are unstable husband material (a keen observation).

Instead, Eilers marries Barthelmess' little brother Tom Brown (as Bud Blaine). Eilers appears in a far too brief scene in her slip, by the way (about 30 minutes into the running). Later on, an interesting scene occurs with Barthelmess and Eilers in separate rooms, divided by a wall; then, the camera moves is a way which pleasantly violates the "Fourth Wall" rule (showing the set). Another notable sequence occurs later in the film, near the end; wherein, John Wayne appears as an extra. Mr. Wayne plays Mr. Brown's co-pilot, on a downed plane, to the left of your screen. He tries to save a drunken passenger. A somewhat unpredictable ending keeps the film above average.

****** Central Airport (4/15/33) William A. Wellman ~ Richard Barthelmess, Sally Eilers, Tom Brown

William Wellmann, who directed one of the most exciting silent films ever made, 'Wings' (1927), here returns to the skies with another rip-roaring story of dare-devil fliers. Wellmann had been an air ace in World War One, and no one knew biplanes like he did. Here they are, stunt-flying, crashing, exploding in the air, and everything you can think of, plus a fascinating glimpse of commercial air operations in 1932 as well. And there is a good strong story, excellently played by the sombre Richard Barthelmess (the silent star who made several films with D. W. Griffith), Sally Eilers and Tom Brown. Eilers is a real sizzler. Such a relief to see a real woman with real fire and character instead of one of those photofit botoxed dummies who play in movies in today's Hollywood and all look identical. The story is a sad one, played with genuine pathos, and well directed. Towards the end of the film there are some extraordinarily thrilling scenes of danger and rescue, and what must be the most ingenious blind landing in thick fog ever thought of. I dare not give away the ingenious aspects of that particular episode. The character played by Barthelmess is very like Wellmann himself, a truly wild hell-raiser in the air. Anyone who likes early aviation would love this film, and it's very rewarding for anyone who likes good solid entertainment, love, tears, and non-stop action all combined in a kind of delectable Wellmann omelette.