International Squadron (film)
| International Squadron | |
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Original film poster
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| Directed by |
Lewis Seiler Lothar Mendes |
| Produced by |
Hal Wallis Edmund Grainger |
| Written by | Kenneth Gamet] Barry Trivers |
| Based on |
Ceiling Zero (novel) by Frank Wead |
| Starring |
Ronald Reagan Olympe Bradna James Stephenson |
| Music by | William Lava |
| Cinematography |
Ted McCord James Van Trees |
| Edited by | Frank Magee |
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Production
company |
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| Distributed by | Warner Bros |
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Release date
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Running time
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85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
International Squadron (aka Flight Patrol) is a 1941 American war film directed by Lewis Seiler and Lothar Mendes that starred Ronald Reagan, Olympe Bradna and in his final film, James Stephenson. The film is based on the Eagle Squadrons, American pilots who volunteered to fly for the Royal Air Force during World War II. International Squadron featured noted Hollywood pilot Paul Mantz who acted as the film's aerial coordinator and flew during the production.
Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Charles Wyatt (James Stephenson) asks his friend, Jimmy Grant (Ronald Reagan), a daredevil pilot on the airshow circuit, to join the RAF's International Squadron, made up of Americans. Jimmy turns him down, saying that he intends to stay safe at home. Faced with a breach-of-promise suit, Jimmy, however, is hired to deliver a new American-designed Lockheed Hudson bomber to the RAF, flying to England with his mechanic, "Omaha" McGrath (Cliff Edwards). When they encounter a heavy fog over the English base, Jimmy ignores a request from Charles to bail out, and brings the bomber in to a safe landing.
While in London, Jimmy meets up with an old friend, Rog Wilkins (William Lundigan) now serving in the International Squadron. Jeanette (Olympe Bradna), the young French woman assigned as his driver, he asks her out for dinner. A German raid hits the city. Jimmy is impressed by the courage of the Londoners and moved by the death of a young child, to join the fight.
In the RAF, Jimmy is not able to fit in, and during an air patrol, while he shots down a German bomber, his reckless flying results in the death of an RAF comrade. The only thing that saves him from dismissal is the intervention of Charles. The next occasion when Jimmy can make amends ends badly as he wants to take Jeanette out, appealing to Rog to stand in for him. Despite being on call for 20 hours, Rog flies his patrol but is shot down and killed.
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