Main Cast: Edmond O'Brien, Robert Stack, John Rodney, Tom D'Andrea, Henry Hull
Release Year: 1948
Country: US
Run Time: 96 minutes
Plot
Excellent Technicolor photography, principally in the aerial scenes, is the main asset of the cliché-ridden Fighter Squadron. Set in the months just prior to D-Day, the plot zeroes in on Marjor Ed Hardin (Edmond O'Brien) leader of a squadron of fearless combat pilots. In keeping with the conventions of the era, the training and flying sequences are counterbalanced with comic byplay involving wheeler-dealer Sergeant Dolan (Tom D'Andrea), whose flippant attitudes towards the opposite sex are a bit hard to take today. Far more effective is the performance of 15-year-old Jack Larson, making his screen debut in the role of a rookie pilot who grows up in a hurry after scoring his first kill (Larson later gained TV immortality as Jimmy Olsen on Superman). Also making his first screen appearance, in a role so small it isn't even billed, is a former truck driver named Rock Hudson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
James Holden - Tennessee; Walter Reed - Capt. Duke Chappell; Shepperd Strudwick - Brig. Gen. M. Gilbert; Arthur Space - Maj. Sanford; Jack Larson - Lt. "Shorty" Kirk; William McLean - Pvt. Wilbur; Mickey McCardle - Jacobs; Joel Allen - Sentry; Jean Fenwick - Lady Woodbine; Carl Harbaugh - Cockney; Hallene Hill - Old Lady; Rock Hudson - Lieutenant; Guy Kingsford - English Photographer; Charles Lind - Beagle Operator; Robert Manning - Bomber Pilot; John McGuire - Maj. Duncan; Harry McKim - Ball Turret Gunner; Dick Paxton - Turret Gunner; Jeff Richards - Captain; John Royce - German Radio Operator; Gilchrist Stuart; William Yetter, Jr.; John Morgan - Gunner; Don Phillips - Lieutenant; Jack Grant - Projectionist; George Adrian - German Pilot; Bill Cabanne - Control Tower Operator; Patricia Northrup - Blonde Girl; Willy Wickerhauser; George Backus
Credit
Ted Smith - Art Director, Raoul Walsh - Director, Christian Nyby - Editor, Max Steiner - Composer (Music Score), Ray Heindorf - Musical Direction/Supervision, Perc Westmore - Makeup, Norman Pringle - Makeup, Wilfrid M. Cline - Cinematographer, Sidney Hickox - Cinematographer, Seton Miller - Producer, Lyle B. Reifsnider - Set Designer, John Holden - Special Effects, Roy Davidson - Special Effects, H.F. Koenekamp - Special Effects, Seton Miller - Screenwriter, Martin Rackin - Screenwriter
At an American air base in England in 1943, conniving Sergeant Dolan manipulates everyone, while insubordinate ace fighter pilot Major Ed Hardin gives his commanding officer headaches. When Hardin is promoted to commander of his group, he must fight his former rebellious attitude as well as the enemy.
