The Wings of Eagles
Directed by John Ford
Written by Frank Fenton and William Wister Haines based on the life and writings of Frank Wead
1957/USA
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Frank W. ‘Spig’ Wead: [while trying to regain nerve control of his toes in the hospital] I’m gonna move that toe![/box]
Obviously, the filmmakers thought a lot of Spig Wead. Pity they couldn’t make his story more exciting.
This is the story of a man who championed Naval aviation both in the sky and in Hollywood. As the story begins, Spig (John Wayne) is a cadet in the first class of naval aviators. He married to Min (Maureen O’Hara) and has a baby son. Before he has qualified to solo, he takes the controls in a “borrowed” plane with an army pilot and then crash lands into the admiral’s tea party. As we follow his story, we learn that Spig is big on brawling, drinking and insubordination. Despite this, he is universally loved – even by the brass.
The one person who is not a total fan is his long-suffering wife. She hates the Navy and refuses to move to Washington when Spig is assigned there. Nevertheless, it is obvious that she loves him passionately.
Spig had been scheduled to participate in an Army v. Navy contest to fly around the world. The Navy is forced to drop out. He is on the winning team in another competition. Then he reunites with Min and his two girls but a tragic accident means his flying days are over.
We watch his lengthy struggle to walk again. He is retired from the Navy and becomes a novelist. Then he is called to Hollywood to write pictures about the Navy. World War II gives him an opportunity to return to active duty.
The plot has several strands but each of them just kind of peter out in the end. Ford is in comic mode for most of the film – not his forte. The stars are their usual charming selves.
No good clip or trailer so here is a tribute to the collaborations of Wayne and O’Hara
