Aerial Gunner *** (1943, Richard Arlen, Chester Morris, Jimmy Lydon, Amelita Ward) – Classic Movie Review 11,033

‘THRILLS… ACTION… Somewhere in the Pacific.’

Director William H Pine’s 1943 wartime romantic drama Aerial Gunner features forgotten star Richard Arlen, who reworks his own part in the 1927 Wings (the first Oscar Best Picture) as Sgt Jon Davis, an injured flyer in hospital who has time to recall his own air force training with rival Sgt Foxy Pattis (Chester Morris) as tail gunners in bomber planes.

(Davis) Arlen and Pattis (Morris) are rivals both in basic training and for the same woman, competing for the love of Peggy Lunt (Amelita Ward/ Lita Ward). The two men then head off to do battle in the South Pacific.

In hospital Davis also has time to reflect on the flying problems of Peggy (Ward)’s younger brother Pvt Sandy Lunt (Jimmy Lydon).

Aerial Gunner is rough and ready, but willing and able World War Two wartime moral-booster movie with robust action and quick-moving direction. It is quite well done of its kind, and now as forgotten as its star is.

The screenplay is written by Maxwell Shane, based on an idea by Jack F Dailey. The film is produced by William H Pine and William C Thomas.

It also features a small early role for Robert Mitchum, as Sgt Benson. His third released feature, it is one of 19 movies he appeared in during his debut year of 1943. When Mitchum first sought work as a film actor, his agent got him an interview with producer Harry Sherman, who hired him to play minor, mostly villainous roles in several films in the Hopalong Cassidy series during 1943. Border Patrol was his feature film debut, though released after later made feature films, The Human Comedy, Hoppy Serves a Writ and Aerial Gunner.

Also in the cast are Dick Purcell, Keith Richards, William ‘Billy’ Benedict, Ralph Sanford, Olive Blakeney, Edward Earle, Kirk Alyn, Jeff Corey, Frank Fenton, John Hamilton, John James, Charles J Jordan, William Marshall, Barbara Pepper, Beth Stone, Brick Sullivan, and Allen Wood.

Aerial Gunner is directed by William H Pine, runs 78 minutes, is made by Pine-Thomas Productions, is released by Paramount, is written by Maxwell Shane, based on an idea by Jack F Dailey, is shot in black and white by Fred Jackman Jr, is produced by William H Pine and William C Thomas, scored by Daniele Amfitheatrof, and designed by F Paul Sylos.

It is shot at Harlingen Aerial Gunnery School, Harlingen, Texas.

The failure of the copyright holder to renew the film’s copyright resulted in it falling into public domain.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,033

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