I Wanted Wings


2h 11m 1941

Brief Synopsis

Story follows the training and personal lives of three recruits in the Army Air Corps --- a wealthy playboy, a college jock and an auto mechanic. Love interest is supplied by a female photographer and a sultry blonde.

Photos & Videos

Film Details

Genre
Drama
Release Date
Jul 18, 1941
Premiere Information
New York premiere: 26 Mar 1941; Los Angeles premieres: 15 May 1941
Production Company
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
Distribution Company
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the book I Wanted Wings by Beirne Lay, Jr. (New York, 1937) and the unpublished short story "Axis of Attack: 30 Degrees" by Captain John H. Fite.

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 11m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
14 reels

Synopsis

Eighteen Army Air Corps bombers head toward Los Angeles to engage in a simulated air raid. At the completion of the air raid, one of the bombers crashes in the desert and the body of a woman is found in the wreckage. A military court-martial follows and pilot Jefferson Young III is charged with disobedience and admitting an unauthorized passenger onto a military plane. When Jeff pleads guilty, the court considers his military history: Jeff, heir to a New York fortune, garage mechanic Al Ludlow and football hero Tom Cassidy meet when they bunk together while training for the U.S. Army Air Corps at Randolph Field in Texas. Jeff and Al develop a strong friendship as they encourage each other through training and boost their self-confidence. When Jeff meets Al's old flame, nightclub singer Sally Vaughn, he is unaware of his friend's previous relationship with her, and Sally decides to win the heir for herself. Jeff is in love with photographer Carolyn Bartlett, who is away on a photo-shoot. However, after failing to pull a buddy from a flaming wreck, Jeff loses his confidence and visits Sally in a drunken stupor. Al saves Jeff from Sally's greedy clutches, and Jeff later reunites with Carolyn at a dance, after he apparently firmly rejects Sally. The next training session takes the three friends to Kelly Field, also in Texas, and Al is appointed senior cadet captain in charge of the group. They lose Tom when he is killed while attempting some daredevil maneuvers and his plane crashes. Al is dismissed from the Corps for allowing the stunts and his lifetime dream of flying is destroyed. Sally announces that she has gotten "in trouble" by Jeff, who has continued to see her because she threatened to reveal their affair and ruin his military career. Al, who has always loved Sally, now marries her to save Jeff's career. Carolyn leaves Jeff after learning of his deceit and of Al's self-sacrifice. Jeff's pride at graduating from final training is compromised by the loss of his friends. Six months later in Kansas City, Sally leaves Al when, upon revealing that she lied about her pregnancy, Al admits that he knew all along and Sally mistakenly assumes that he does not love her. Sometime later at March Field, Jeff prepares a bomber for war game maneuvers and discovers that Al is the crew chief aboard the plane. Their flight instructor and commander, Mercer, who has guided their careers in the Corps, promises to get Al reinstated. Sally appears unexpectedly and begs Al for help because she is wanted for murder. Al gives her money to leave for Los Angeles, but Sally panics when she sees army officers coming into the hangar, and unknown to Al, hides in the cargo bay of the bomber. After they successfully complete their war games over a blacked-out Los Angeles, Mercer orders Jeff to return to the desert to test their new emergency flares. Al discovers a terrified Sally when he goes to get the flares and as she struggles with him, a flare ignites. While attempting to get rid of the flare, Mercer is injured when it explodes before leaving the bomb bay doors, and Al leaps to save him. They float to safety with Al's parachute, and Jeff makes a dangerous night landing to help them. After discovering that Mercer needs immediate medical help, Jeff attempts a takeoff in the dark, despite Mercer's orders to the contrary, but crash-lands the plane. Sally is killed in the crash and Jeff takes full responsibility for the accident and for her presence on the plane. At Jeff's court-martial, Al reveals the truth of his involvement and Jeff is found innocent of all charges. Mercer fully recovers, Al is sent to Kelly Field to complete his training and Jeff reunites with Carolyn.

Cast

Ray Milland

Jeff Young

William Holden

Al Ludlow

Wayne Morris

Tom Cassidy

Brian Donlevy

Capt. Mercer

Constance Moore

Carolyn Bartlett

Veronica Lake

Sally Vaughn

Harry Davenport

"Sandbags" Riley

Phil Brown

Jimmy Masters

Edward Fielding

President of the court

Willard Robertson

Judge advocate

Richard Lane

Flight commander

Addison Richards

Flight surgeon

Hobart Cavanaugh

Mickey

Douglas Aylesworth

Lieut. Hopkins

John Trent

Lieut. Ronson

Archie Twitchell

Lieut. Clankton

Richard Webb

Cadet captain

John Hiestand

Radio announcer

Harlan Warde

Montgomery, co-pilot

Lane Chandler

Ranger

Jack Chapin

Cadet

Charles Drake

Cadet

Alan Hale Jr.

Cadet

Renny Mcevoy

Cadet

Arthur Gardner

Mechanic

Lane Allan

Corporal mechanic

Jack Shea

First crew chief

Frank O'connor

Detective

Michael Gale

Corporal

James Millican

Corporal

Emory Johnson

Sergeant

Russ Clark

Supply sergeant

George Turner

Private

Hal Brazeale

Private

Warren Ashe

Cadet adjutant

Charles A. Hughes

Meteorology instructor

George Lollier

Buzzer class instructor

John Sylvester

Flight dispatcher

John Mcavoy

Major at court-martial

Boyd Irwin

Major at court-martial

Ralph Emerson

Major at court-martial

Anthony Nace

Captain at court-martial

Jack Luden

Captain at court-martial

Gilbert Wilson

Defense captain

George Eldredge

Captain computer

Gaylord Pendleton

Bombardier

John Beach

Navigator

Frank H. Larue

Colonel, Randolph Field

Henry Hall

Colonel, Kelly Field

Gladden M. James

Surgeon

Jimmy Lucas

Gas station attendant

Lee Shumway

Policeman in car

Charles Hamilton

Policeman

Keith Richards

Voice officer

John Ellis

Lieutenant, second voice

Rod Cameron

Voice, loud speaker

Phillip Terry

Radio operator

Edward Peil Sr.

Lieutenant

James Farley

Fire chief

Lester Dorr

Evaluating officer

Charles D. Waldron

Commanding general

Crew

Bob Alford

Stand-in

Milward Anderson

Auditor

Robert Axman

Props shop, Electrician

Jim Barton

Transportation foreman

Hugh Bennett

Editing

Clayton Brackett

Wardrobe

Francis Burgess

Assistant Camera

Frank Caffey

Assistant prod Manager

Art Camp

Props

Elmer Cannon

Electrician

Nesta Charles

Screenplay clerk

Edward Churchill

Pub

Capt. William J. Clinch

Composer

Carl Coleman

Assistant props

R. D. Cook

Stage eng

Robert Riley Crutcher

Contract Writer

Richard Cutter

Stand-in

John J. Daheim

Stand-in for William Holden

Dana Dale

Stand-in for Constance Moore

Kenneth Deland

2d Assistant Director

Jean Dixon

Stand-in

Hans Dreier

Art Director

Andy Durkus

Grip, 2d unit

George Dutton

Stage eng

Elmer Dyer

Aerial Photographer

Farciot Edouart

Process Photography

Don English

Still Camera

Merle Enz

Electrician

Michael Fessier

Contract Writer

Mrs. Frampton

Stand-in

Curtis Gourlay

Grip

James Grant

Assistant Camera

Lieut. Fred Gray

Air Corps pilot and instructor, head of formation squadron

Eleanore Griffin

Story

Loyal Griggs

Transparency Camera, 2d unit

Hazel Hagerty

Wardrobe

George O. Hamer

P.A. man

M. G. Harris

Electrician

Sig Herzig

Screenwriter

James Hinman

Stand-in

Warren Hoag

Electrician

Harry Hogan

Screenplay clerk

Hayden Hohstadt

Grip

Arthur Hornblow Jr.

Producer

Jimmie Hosler

Grip

Arthur Jacobson

Assistant Director

Gordon Jennings

Special Photography Effects

Leonard Jones

Camera mechanic

Frank Kies

Accountant

Charles Klein

Grip

Norman Lacey

Loc

Arthur A. Lane

2d Camera, 2nd unit Camera

Ernest Laszlo

2nd Camera

Al Latta

Camera car driver

Lieut. Beirne Lay Jr.

Screenwriter

Lieut. Beirne Lay Jr.

Technical Advisor

Sam Levine

Wardrobe

Harry Lewis

Grip, 2d unit

C. Ken Lobben

Still Camera

J. C. Love

Laborer

Richard Maibaum

Screenwriter

Paul Mantz

Stunt pilot and pilot of Camera airplane

Russell Matthews

1st Assistant Director, 2d unit

John Meehan

Assistant art Director

Andrew Mendoza

Laborer

Joe Mendoza

Laborer

Gene Merritt

Sound Recording

Louis Mesenkop

Special Effects

Curtis Mick

Assistant prod Manager, 2d unit prod Manager

Thomas Morris

Assistant Camera to Elmer Dyer

Ray Moyer

Set Dresser

Basil Mulvaney

Grip

Roy Newman

Loc carpenter, construction foreman

William Newman

Grip

1st Lieut. William P. Nuckols

Air Corps public relations officer

Richard Olson

Sound Recording

Edward Overstreet

Scenic artist

Hugh G. Payne

Laborer

Harry Perry

Camera

Otto Pierce

2nd Camera

Bernard Ponedel

Makeup

Lee Price

Scenic painter

Lyle Ratican

Grip

James Roe

Props shop

L. B. Rogers

Loc doctor

Robert Rogers

Assistant head Electrician

Robert Rogers

Best boy

Arthur Rosson

2nd Unit Director

Charles Russell

Film loader

Schuyler Sanford

Assistant Camera, 2d unit Camera

Byron Seawright

Assistant Camera

Charles Sickler

Head grip

John Smirch

Sound grip

Kenneth Smith

Grip

Lavaughn Speer

Hair

Ed C. Sullivan

Recording

Walter E. Sullivan

Generator man

Frank Thayer

Makeup

Leo Tover

Director of Photography

Fred True

Head grip

Robert Usher

Art Director

Russell Walters

Boom operator

Ned Washington

Composer

Frank Wead

Story

Paul Whitcomb

Grip

Ed White

Sound Mixer

M. C. White

Electrician

Stanley Williams

Head Electrician

John P. Wilson

Loc painter

Dewey Wrigley

Transparency Camera, 2d unit

Dan Wyler

Stand-in for Brian Donlevy

Victor Young

Composer

Victor Young

Music Score

Photo Collections

I Wanted Wings - Lobby Card
Here is a Lobby Card from Paramount's I Wanted Wings (1941), starring Ray Milland and Veronica Lake. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

Film Details

Genre
Drama
Release Date
Jul 18, 1941
Premiere Information
New York premiere: 26 Mar 1941; Los Angeles premieres: 15 May 1941
Production Company
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
Distribution Company
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the book I Wanted Wings by Beirne Lay, Jr. (New York, 1937) and the unpublished short story "Axis of Attack: 30 Degrees" by Captain John H. Fite.

Technical Specs

Duration
2h 11m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
14 reels

Award Wins

Best Special Effects

1942

Quotes

Trivia

While 'Lake, Veronica' and Richard Webb (I) were rehearsing a scene, director Mitchell Leisen filmed a scene which included this rehearsal for his later film Hold Back the Dawn (1941).

Ray Milland was in a plane which was being test flown for a shot in the film. Sensing an opportunity, Milland (an amateur skydiver) was about to jump out of the plane to parachute for free, when the pilot informed him of engine trouble. Upon returning to the ground, Milland related the tale to the horrified film crew, one of whom was the costumer who informed him that the "parachute" on his back was merely a non-functional prop.

Notes

The following written statement appears in the opening credits: "This production was actually filmed at Randolph, Kelly and March Fields. The splendid collaboration of the United States Army Air Corps is gratefully acknowledged." This written dedication appears after the film's opening credits: "Birthplace of man's wings, America today watches her skies with great concern, for in these skies of peace the nation is building the upper battlement of its defense. To the officers and men of the United States Army Air Corps who climb on strong wings to man these high ramparts, and to the young men of America who will take their places beside them, this motion picture is dedicated." Randolph Field and Kelly Field near San Antonio, TX were U.S. Air Force bases; Randolph Field was the site of basic flight training for cadets and Kelly Field was the site of the Air Corps Advanced Flying School until 1942. March Field in Riverside, CA, was then known as the home of the B-17 Flying Fortress.
       According to news items in Hollywood Reporter, J. Theodore Reed was the first director assigned to I Wanted Wings; however, he resigned as director on September 7, 1940 after pre-production and two weeks of shooting on location in San Antonio, TX. Mitchell Leisen took over direction after Reed's departure. No contemporary information has been found to confirm the reason for Reed's departure, but modern sources indicate that his work was unsatisfactory to Paramount executives, who then called Leisen in to complete the film. Leisen, in a modern interview, states that he scrapped all of Reed's footage and started fresh. Leisen was originally scheduled to direct Paramount's New York Town (see below), and as a result of his shift to I Wanted Wings, Charles Vidor took over direction of that film. In July 1940, Paramount hired Arthur Rosson as second unit director, and the interoffice Paramount communication regarding his employment reads: "We desire to employ Arthur Rosson as a second unit director....Mr. Rosson has worked here a number of times with Mr. [Cecil B.] DeMille and I think he would work for us....The work will be just as difficult, but the screaming will not be quite so loud."
       The following information was derived from the Paramount Collection at the AMPAS Library: Author Captain John H. Fite was then Chief of the Motion Picture Unit Technical Data Branch of the War Department. Fite also reviewed and selected the footage from the U.S. Army film Wings of the Army that was used in this film. According to a October 4, 1939 letter, author Beirne Lay, Jr. was involved from the very beginning of the project with developing the screen story and getting the cooperation of the Air Corps. On June 29, 1940, Paramount received official notification from the War Department Motion Picture Board of Review that the script was deemed acceptable dependent on minor changes, and that Paramount would receive the full cooperation of the Air Corps as long as the production did not interfere with regular military procedure. Writers Robert Riley Crutcher and Michael Fessier were hired to work on the script. Although their initial agreement with Paramount was for them to receive screen credit, neither name appears on the film. A July 29, 1940 agreement notes that screenwriter Sig Herzig was hired to "sharpen characterizations through dialogue and add humor to the script."
       The MPAA/PCA files at the AMPAS Library indicate that Joseph I. Breen, director of the PCA, was concerned that there be no indication that the characters "Sally" and "Jeff" have an "illicit sex affair." In an July 8, 1940 letter, Paramount executive Luigi Luraschi responded that although the "tartiness" in Sally's character will be properly cleaned up," producer Arthur Hornblow, Jr. insisted that "the device she resorts to-that of having a baby," remains because only a "strong motivation" of that nature would ensure the credibility of the story. On August 29, 1940, Breen responded that "with regard to Sally's remark, 'I'm in trouble,'" it was only acceptable to use this phrase as a "device on Sally's part to frighten Jeff, it afterwards being proved to be a lie...."
       Although this film was billed as Veronica Lake's feature film debut, she appeared in several films between 1939 and 1940 under the name Constance Keane. Her name was changed for I Wanted Wings. According to a Hollywood Reporter news item, Paramount filmed a "personality trailer" to be screened in theaters to "introduce Veronica Lake to the public." The trailer was produced by Lou Harris and narrated by Y. Frank Freeman. According to modern sources, her voice was dubbed for the singing sequence. Information in the Paramount Collection reveals that Hedda Hopper was cast in the film to play "Jeff Young's" mother, but left Randolph Field unexpectedly during production to attend a radio broadcast in Los Angeles. The information implied that her scenes May not have been completed before she left. Hopper did not appear in the viewed print, nor was she mentioned in reviews.
       Hollywood Reporter news items note that the original script for I Wanted Wings was written with Rita Hayworth in mind; however, Columbia refused to loan her to Paramount for the part of "Sally" because they deemed the role inappropriate for Hayworth, even after Paramount ostensibly made script changes. News items indicate that Lana Turner and Susan Hayward were also considered for lead roles, and information in the Paramount Collection reveals that the studio was considering Patricia Morison as well. A Hollywood Reporter news item reported that dancer Mary Cassiday was cast in the film; however, her appearance in the film is doubtful. The following cast members and roles were listed in an early Paramount billing sheet, but May not have been in the final print: Herbert Rawlinson (Mr. Young); Harlan Warde (Cadet); and Bob Ireland (Bombardier). Because of potential problems with scheduling, Paramount considered casting John Howard rather than Ray Milland, according to information in the Paramount Collection. A Hollywood Reporter news item notes that John Trent, who had been a professional pilot prior to his acting career, was hired by the North American Aircraft Company of Inglewood, CA, following his appearance in this film to fly planes from California to Canada for shipment to Great Britain. This film marks the feature film debuts of Alan Hale, Jr. and Renny McEvoy, son of humorist J. P. McEvoy.
       I Wanted Wings benefitted from the Army's full cooperation and from author Beirne Lay, Jr.'s firsthand knowledge of military flight training. According to modern sources, producer Arthur Hornblow Jr. timed the filming of the training sequences to coincide with the arrival of new cadets at Randolph Field, TX, and Army planes were made available to Paramount. The educational Film and Radio Discussion Guide indicated that 1,050 cadets, 540 officer and instructors and 2,543 enlisted men provided a background for the filmmakers and an estimated $25,000,000 worth of flying equipment was made available for filming. The Guide noted that this film offered the public their first glimpse inside a B-17 Flying Fortress while in flight. Hollywood Reporter news items and the Guide discussed some of the unique filming techniques for the aerial sequences, for which unit director Arthur Rosson directed the scenes from the control tower by three-way radio connected to stunt pilot Paul Mantz and Lieutenant Fred Gray, head of the flight formation squadron and an Air Corps flight instructor. Aerial cameraman Elmer Dyer called the shots. Modern sources note that the invention of the triple-head process projector by Farciot Edouart, Gordon Jennings and Louis Mesenkop, for which they won an Academy Award for Special Effects in this film, added cinematic verity to certain flight scenes.
       According to information in the Paramount Collection, I Wanted Wings cost over $1,000,000 to produce and came in $262,454.87 over budget. A February 1941 Hollywood Reporter news item noted that the footage was cut from 15,000 ft. to the release footage of 13,962 ft., which was its length when approved by the PCA. However, the film was approved by the New York State Censor board at 12,825 ft. Reviewers who quoted the running time as 130-131 min. saw a preview of the roadshow release, which was a long version to be shown with an intermission. It is not clear if the "long" version was 15,000 ft. or 13,962 ft.. Paramount planned to release the film for regular bookings in a shorter version. The Exhibitor later noted that the film retained its "original length" for the regular release. News items further note that a special preview screening was planned for Randolph Field, TX, which would be preceded by a full Army Air Corps show displaying 300 war planes, described as "the biggest single display of its kind ever held in the southwest."
       I Wanted Wings received many accolades from reviewers chiefly for its technical merits and as a "vastly exciting motion picture and a dependable inspiration to the youth of the land" (New York Times). Hollywood Reporter acknowledged "I Wanted Wings is propaganda, yes-and a vibrant challenge. First feature to reach the screens under the industry's cooperation with national defense, this is stuff to make the dictator nations shudder under its impact; it is actual and factual presentation of America's strength in human valor and material." While Hollywood Reporter called Veronica Lake's debut "glittering," the New York Times review noted that she "manages to show little more than a talent for wearing low-cut gowns." However, most reviews praised all the performances.
       A scene from I Wanted Wings was reshot by Mitchell Leisen specifically to appear in a sequence for the 1941 Paramount film Hold Back the Dawn, in which the character played by Charles Boyer visits Paramount studios. In a modern interview, Leisen stated that his assistant director was Chico Alonso. Ray Milland and William Holden reprised their roles in a Lux Radio Theatre broadcast on March 30, 1942, co-starring Veronica Lake in her Lux debut.