4 minute read

Hollywood Movies

Advertisement

Men Against the Sky

When world-famous pilot Phil Mercedes is grounded because of his addiction to alcohol, his sister Kay leaves school to help her brother. Using Phil’s past designs, Kay gets her foot in the door at nearly- bankrupt McLean Aircraft. When Phil’s design for a revolutionary wing fails a stress test, he uses his aerial skills to prove his designs are sound, saving McLean Aircraft and his professional reputation. The film also features uncredited footage of Howard Hughes’ experimental H-l Racer, which set the transcontinental non-stop speed record in 1937. 1 hr. 15 min. #707173 $14.95

Firefox

This 1982 action film stars Clint Eastwood as a U.S. pilot who sneaks into Russia to steal an advanced Soviet fighter aircraft – the mythical MiG-31, NATO code name “Firefox” – that is capable of Mach 6, is invisible to radar, and carries weapons controlled by thought. Filled with aerial sequences, this film includes aircraft such as the MH-53 Pave Low, F-105 Thunderchief, F-4 Phantom II, A-1 Skyraider, F-5E Tiger II, Tupolev Tu-154, and others. 2 hrs. 16 min. #V7572 $14.95 Flight of the Intruder

This 1991 film, based on Stephen Coonts’ novel, stars Danny Glover, Willem Dafoe and Brad Johnson as A-6 pilots during the Vietnam War. Filmed with cooperation from the U.S. Navy (including on board the USS Independence), the film features A-6 Intruders, A-4 Skyhawks, A-1 Skyraiders and an H-53 Sea Stallion helicopter, and even shows footage from under the catapult and along the catwalks during flight operations. 1 hr. 54 min. #V6166 $14.95 Always

In this film directed by Steven Spielberg, Richard Dreyfuss stars as a daredevil pilot who specializes in putting out forest fires. After promising his girlfriend (Holly Hunter) that he will stop flying, he ies one last mission to save his best friend (John Goodman), dies in a crash, then re-awakens as an angel to guide his girlfriend to a new life. Great aerial firefighting sequences. 2 hours. #V9334 $14.95 Bombers B-52

Stunning aerial footage mixes with powerful family drama in this story of a veteran ground-crew chief and former Air Force flyer torn between his decision to retire and his love for his work. Features excellent footage of B-52s on the ground and in the air and captures the late 1950s Air Force life. Karl Malden, Natalie Wood and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. star. 106 minutes. #V8146 $14.95 Captains of the Clouds

This 1942 wartime movie stars James Cagney – in his first Technicolor appearance – as a brash bush pilot who, along with his renegade pilot friends, joins the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II. He leads them into and out of trouble, but the price they pay is heavy. Be sure to look for real-life Canadian World War I flying ace Billy Bishop in a small but pivotal role! 1 hr. 58 min. #V9736 $14.95

Alive

Based on actual events, Alive combines both a thrilling adventure with the struggle to survive as a family and a team of rugby players find themselves stranded in the desolate, snowy Andes Mountains. Can they withstand the freezing temps and overcome deadly obstacles to make it out in time? 2 hrs. 6 min. #704395 $9.95 Dive Bomber

This 1941 film stars Errol Flynn and Fred MacMurray as naval officers developing high-altitude pressure suits to prevent “blackouts” during dive bombing raids. Produced with the full cooperation of the Naval Air Corps and filmed on location at the Navy’s air stations in San Diego and Pensacola and aboard the aircraft carrier Enterprise, the authentic locales and Technicolor presentation are stunning. 2 hrs. 10 min. #V9741 $14.95 Twilight’s Last Gleaming

Desperate to inform the public of the real reason the United States spent years fighting in Vietnam, four escaped military convicts hijack a nuclear base and demand ten million dollars and that a top-secret document is declassified. With an all-star cast including Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, and Charles Durning, this tense 1977 thriller has a shocking ending. 2 hrs. 26 min. #MV51678 $24.95 Flat Top

This action-packed classic follows steel-nerved Commander Dan Collier (Sterling Hayden) as he trains U.S. Navy carrier pilots during WWII, while dealing with Lieutenant Joe Rodgers (Richard Carlson), who is more concerned with being liked by his men than being their leader. Featuring real newsreel footage, this Hollywood film also touches on the various psychological and personal conflicts that pilots face as they move toward the thick of the battle. 1 hr. 25 min. #V6165 $19.95 Rocket Hunter

An incredible story of selfless courage, this film follows the exploits of an American B-17 pilot who embarks on one of the most dangerous sorties of the entire war. With London under siege by V-2 rockets and limited resources available, Joe Phillips takes the helm of a surrendered Bf 109 and flies through the heart of Germany on a rescue mission in January 1945. 1 hr. 30 min. #705747 $19.95 Strategic Air Command

Jimmy Stewart delivers a powerful performance as Lt. Col. “Dutch” Holland, a professional baseball player reactivated to Air Force duty, in this compelling picture. In addition to tracking the flying exploits of Holland, as he adjusts to unpredictable life at SAC, this 1955 film is also a terrific exploration of early Cold War aircraft – including the B-36 Peacemaker and B-47 Stratojet. 1 hr. 54 min. #702096 $24.95