"The Tarnished Angels" is a film by Douglas Sirk and its a strange story about a man who has a very unusual addiction. Roger Schumann (Robert Stack) was an ace during WWI but since he's been barely scraping by as a barnstorming pilot...to the detriment of his loving wife (Dorothy Malone) and son. A reporter, Burke Devlin (Rock Hudson) finds the family fascinating...especially the comely wife. He tells the Schumanns he wants to write a newspaper story about them but he really just seems eager to hang around Mrs. Schumann. As for the addiction, Roger NEEDS to risk his life flying...just like an alcoholic need booze or a gambling addict needs a game of chance! What's to come of all this...see the film.
This film is odd in that the big finale comes about 20 minutes BEFORE the story ends. From then on, it's very talky and slow...and up until this long, drawn out ending, I was ready to give the film an 8. But the final portion really could have been excised...much like the final few minutes of "Spartacus" in order to tighten up the story.
This film is odd in that the big finale comes about 20 minutes BEFORE the story ends. From then on, it's very talky and slow...and up until this long, drawn out ending, I was ready to give the film an 8. But the final portion really could have been excised...much like the final few minutes of "Spartacus" in order to tighten up the story.