The Lost Squadron
| The Lost Squadron | |
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Original theatrical poster
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| Directed by |
George Archainbaud James Anderson (assistant) Paul Sloane (dismissed partway through production) |
| Produced by | David O. Selznick (executive producer) |
| Written by |
Dick Grace (story) Wallace Smith Herman J. Mankiewicz (add. dialogue) Robert Presnell, Sr. (add. dialogue) Humphrey Pearson (uncredited) |
| Starring |
Richard Dix Mary Astor Joel McCrea Robert Armstrong |
| Music by | Max Steiner (uncredited) |
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Production
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| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
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Release date
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Running time
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79 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $621,000 |
| Box office | $732,000 |
The Lost Squadron is a 1932 American pre-Code action film starring Richard Dix, Mary Astor, and Robert Armstrong, with Erich von Stroheim and Joel McCrea in supporting roles, and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The film is about three World War I pilots who find jobs after the war as Hollywood stunt fliers. The much-later The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) employed a similar theme.The Lost Squadron was the first RKO production to carry the screen credit "Executive Producer, David O. Selznick".
Captain "Gibby" Gibson (Richard Dix) and his close friend "Red" (Joel McCrea) spend the last hours of World War I in the air, shooting down more of the enemy. They then return to America with fellow pilot and comrade "Woody" Curwood (Robert Armstrong) and their mechanic Fritz (Hugh Herbert) to an uncertain future.
Gibby finds his ambitious actress girlfriend Follette Marsh (Mary Astor) with a new boyfriend, one who can do more for her career. Good-natured braggart Red decides not to take back his old job, as it would mean the firing of a married man with a new baby. Woody learns that he is penniless, swindled by his embezzling business partner. Years later Gibby, Red and Fritz ride a boxcar to Hollywood to look for Woody and find work in lean times.
At a movie premiere, they spot a prosperous Woody, who is working as a stunt flier. He offers them well-paying jobs working for disreputable and tyrannical director Arthur von Furst (Erich von Stroheim). Gibby is reluctant, as Follette is now married to von Furst, but finally gives in.
Woody introduces his two comrades-in-arms to his sister, "the Pest" (Dorothy Jordan). She worries constantly about him, as von Furst utilizes dangerously worn-out aircraft and Woody drinks a lot. Both Gibby and Red are attracted to her. Gibby misinterprets her concern for him when he barely survives a crash (caused by parts of his aircraft falling off) as love. When Red impulsively asks the Pest to marry him, she agrees, and Gibby accepts the situation with grace.
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Wikipedia