Review of Pilot #5

Pilot #5 (1943)
6/10
WW II flick with multi sub plots going on
5 August 2017
Franchot Tone, Van Johnson, and Gene Kelly star in WW II flick about an American unit, stuck with a dutch commander. This was 1943, so we had already been in the war for a couple years. Down to one plane, they must take it out and do whatever damage they can. Lots of flashbacks, as we hear everyone's story, and how they got to be here. That takes up most of the film. VERY typical WW II film. Everyone doing their part. Some fun supporting roles -- Eddie Acuff, Monte Blue, Peter Lawford. Names that would turn into bigger names a few years later. Story by David Hertz. Directed by George Sidney, who co-founded Hanna Barbera. Also directed Kiss me Kate, Bye Bye Birdie, Three Musketeers, Pal Joey, Annie get your Gun,and SO MANY other biggies. I'm surprised that Sidney never won an Oscar.. probably should have gotten a lifetime achievement award or something. This one is okay. Chugs right along, Kind of two different plots though... there's the WW II story, and the "rich versus the poor" story-line within the flashbacks. Not bad. MGM/Loews. Shows now and then on TCM.
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