Thunder Birds: Soldiers of the Air (1942)
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- Approved
- 1h 18min
- Drama, Romance
- 20 Nov 1942 (USA)
- Movie
A veteran American flyer trains new recruits, including the acrophobic son of his dead war buddy. Complications arise when the younger man falls in love with his mentor's girl.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Gene Tierney | ... |
Kay Saunders
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| Preston Foster | ... |
Steve Britt
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| John Sutton | ... |
Peter Stackhouse
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| Jack Holt | ... |
Colonel MacDonald
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| May Whitty | ... |
Lady Jane Stackhouse
(as Dame May Whitty)
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| George Barbier | ... |
Col. Cyrus P. 'Gramps' Saunders
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| Richard Haydn | ... |
George Lockwood
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| Reginald Denny | ... |
Barrett
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| Ted North | ... |
Cadet Hackzell
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| Janis Carter | ... |
Blonde Red Cross Nurse Trainee
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| C. Montague Shaw | ... |
Doctor
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Viola Moore | ... |
Nurse
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| Nana Bryant | ... |
Mrs. Blake
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| Joyce Compton | ... |
Saleswoman
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| Bess Flowers | ... |
Nurse
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| Selmer Jackson | ... |
Tom MacDonald
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| Charles Tannen | ... |
American Flyer / Opening Off-Screen Narrator (voice)
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| Harry Strang | ... |
Forest Ranger
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Walter Tetley | ... |
Messenger Boy
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Alan Baldwin | ... |
American Cadet (uncredited)
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| Dorothy Dearing | ... |
Red Cross Nurse Trainee (uncredited)
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Dan Dowling | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Jean Fenwick | ... |
Red Cross Nurse Trainee (uncredited)
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| George Ford | ... |
Johnnie (uncredited)
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Archie Got | ... |
Chinese Cadet (uncredited)
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John Gunther | ... |
Special Commentary (uncredited)
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Robert Herrick | ... |
English Cadet (uncredited)
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| George Hoagland | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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Don House | ... |
Cadet (uncredited)
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Claire James | ... |
Red Cross Nurse Trainee (uncredited)
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Marvin Jones | ... |
American Cadet (uncredited)
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Allen Jung | ... |
Chinese Cadet (uncredited)
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| Colin Kenny | ... |
Townsman (uncredited)
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| Peter Lawford | ... |
English Cadet (uncredited)
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Connie Leon | ... |
Ellen (uncredited)
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Billy Maguire | ... |
English Cadet (uncredited)
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| Anthony Marsh | ... |
English Cadet (uncredited)
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| Trudy Marshall | ... |
Red Cross Nurse Trainee (uncredited)
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Vivian Mason | ... |
Red Cross Nurse Trainee (uncredited)
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Allan Nixon | ... |
American Cadet (uncredited)
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Karen Palmer | ... |
Bit Role (uncredited)
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Herbert Patterson | ... |
American Cadet (uncredited)
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John Rice | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
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| Mary Scott | ... |
Red Cross Nurse Trainee (uncredited)
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Lawrence Ung | ... |
Chinese Cadet (uncredited)
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Kay Vallon | ... |
Large Woman (uncredited)
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| John Whitney | ... |
American Cadet (uncredited)
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Bruce Wong | ... |
Chinese Cadet (uncredited)
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Richard Woodruff | ... |
English Cadet (uncredited)
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Directed by
| William A. Wellman | ||
Written by
| Lamar Trotti | ... | (screenplay) |
| Darryl F. Zanuck | ... | (original story) (as Melville Crossman) |
| Laurence Stallings | ... | (contract writer) (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Lamar Trotti | ... | producer |
| Darryl F. Zanuck | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| David Buttolph | ||
Cinematography by
| Ernest Palmer | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Walter Thompson | ||
Editorial Department
| Henri Jaffa | ... | associate color director: Technicolor |
| Natalie Kalmus | ... | color director: Technicolor |
Art Direction by
| James Basevi | ||
| Richard Day | ||
Set Decoration by
| Thomas Little | ||
Costume Design by
| Dolly Tree | ||
Makeup Department
| Guy Pearce | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| William Koenig | ... | production manager (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Sid Bowen | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
| Fred Fox | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
| Phil Rosen | ... | second unit director (uncredited) |
| Ad Schaumer | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Alfred Bruzlin | ... | sound |
| Roger Heman Sr. | ... | sound (as Roger Heman) |
Stunts
| Paul Mantz | ... | stunt pilot (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Harry Jackson | ... | associate director of photography |
| E. Truman Joiner | ... | key grip |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Eugene Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Location Management
| W.F. Fitzgerald | ... | location manager (uncredited) |
| Ray C. Moore | ... | location manager (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Leo Arnaud | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Conrad Salinger | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Herbert W. Spencer | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Harry Brand | ... | director of publicity (uncredited) |
| Fred Fox | ... | business manager (uncredited) |
| Charles Stallings | ... | business manager (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Twentieth Century Fox (1942) (United States) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century Fox Film Company (1942) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Twentieth Century-Fox (1943) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2006) (United States) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Technicolor tale of honor and romance. This drama from 1942 was directed by Oscar-winner William A. Wellman, and features stunning aerial photography, that was highly advanced for the time. John Sutton stars as Peter Stackhouse, a British aviophobe who is nonetheless determined to become a pilot. Stackhouse's resolution comes from his desire to serve his country, and his strength is recognized by Steve Britt (Preston Foster), who becomes his patient teacher. The two men's bond is tested, however, when they both fall for the same girl (Gene Tierney). Written by R. Alberts |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | For two pilots, one woman became a conflict of interest. See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | When Lady Jane sends Churchill a cheque for £25,000 as a reply to the loss of her grandson, she is referencing Lady MacRobert who lost three sons. In their memory she donated £25,000 to buy a Short Stirling which was called MacRobert's Reply. The RAF continued to use the name, most recently on a Panavia Tornado. See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Army Air Corps Song See more » |
| Quotes |
Peter Stackhouse:
I hope you're not angry? Kay Saunders: That you were interested in my legs? Why not at all. That's what they're there for. See more » |