Stunt Pilot (1939)
The second of a series of four features Monogram made based on the comic strip by Hal Forrest (Universal also used the strip characters in two serials), finds a movie company shooting a war picture at Three Points airport, with Tailspin Tommy Tompkins as a stunt pilot in the film. Tommy is incensed by the complete disregard for human life shown by the film's director, Sheehan, and quits. Sheehan gets a replacement pilot named Earl Martin, who is known as a reckless pilot who will try an aerial stunt for a thrill. He hand Tommy get into a fight when Martin takes Betty Lou Barnes for a ride in a plane that is practically falling apart.
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Powerful
Best movie ever!
Blistering performances.
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Hal Forrest's "Tailspin Tommy" comic strip was turned into a movie series by Monogram -- there was at least one earlier B movie produced by C.C. Burr. This, the second of the series, is a pretty good movie about the problems of Tommy's friends at a troubled movie shoot he is stunting for.I attribute this to a lot of talent picked up on the cheap by Monogram, some excellent stunt flying by Wally West and graceful cinematography by Fred Jackman Jr. Some of the actors, like Jason Robards Sr., were down on their luck. Some, like Marjorie Reynolds and Milburn Stone, were starting out; and a few never got noticed by the more prosperous studios. The same was true about the behind-the-camera crew. Hollywood always had a lot more competent and even excellent talent than it knew what to do with.I do have issues with the writing. Every plot point is over-explained for my taste. However, that is a relatively minor cavil. Monogram was willing to spend money on this one, and it shows. Enjoy!