Jet Pilot (1957)

49% of users liked it
(1,655 ratings)

If Jet Pilot seems hopelessly out of date today, imagine how filmgoers in 1957 reacted when this relic from 1949 was taken off the shelf. Many, many years in the making due to the maniacal tinkering by producer Howard Hughes (who reportedly lost $4 million on it - a massive sum back then), the film… More If Jet Pilot seems hopelessly out of date today, imagine how filmgoers in 1957 reacted when this relic from 1949 was taken off the shelf. Many, many years in the making due to the maniacal tinkering by producer Howard Hughes (who reportedly lost $4 million on it - a massive sum back then), the film was deemed unreleasable upon completion; only when Universal-International took over distribution of a handful of RKO Radio productions did it finally see the light of day. John Wayne stars as an air force colonel stationed in an Alaskan outpost only 40 miles or so from the Soviet Union. Wayne is put in charge of Russian jet pilot Janet Leigh, who claims that she wants to defect. Actually, Leigh is a Communist spy, but thanks to Wayne's affectionate attentions she is won over to the side of Democracy. Thus it is that Leigh rescues the Duke when he is kidnapped and nearly brainwashed by her Commie comrades. Jet Pilot was eventually bought back from U-I by Hughes for his personal collection; not only did he buy into the propagandistic plotline, but he was also enthralled by the aerial scenes, some of which were staged by legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager. The 1949 production date for a number of sequences explains not only why so many of the actors look young for 1957, but the existence of several supporting cast members who had died in the interim (such as Jack Overman and Richard Rober). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Josef von Sternberg
Genres: Action & Adventure, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1957 Wide
On DVD: Mar 10, 2000

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Sternberg uses the espionage and counter-espionage of Jules Furthman's screenplay to depict the mysteries of relationships
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The only way to enjoy this Hughes-Wayne propaganda vehicle is as high camp (Janet Leigh realizes the Soviet System doesn't work when doorknobs come off)--it's a footnote in Josef von Sternberg's career.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A major disappointment.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Camp value only. Poor Sternberg!

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean M

The legendary talents of producer Howard Hughes, director Josef von Sternberg and actor John Wayne combine to bring a thrilling and often humorous Cold War adventure to the screen, accentuated by outstanding aerial photography and thunderous action sequences. The special effects in… More
The legendary talents of producer Howard Hughes, director Josef von Sternberg and actor John Wayne combine to bring a thrilling and often humorous Cold War adventure to the screen, accentuated by outstanding aerial photography and thunderous action sequences. The special effects in this film are quite convincing in spite of its age. Of course, the US Air Force helped everywhere needed to make the picture seem real. Wayne and Janet Leigh are especially good together as are the usual cast of colorful characters who help pad out the storyline.
Deb S

John Wayne plays an Air Force Col. Jim Shannon who gets a surprise landing at his base by none other Janet Leigh (who was not overly convincing as a Russian Soviet Pilot because not once does she even give the least hint of a Russian accent.) The air force wants to get information out… More
John Wayne plays an Air Force Col. Jim Shannon who gets a surprise landing at his base by none other Janet Leigh (who was not overly convincing as a Russian Soviet Pilot because not once does she even give the least hint of a Russian accent.) The air force wants to get information out of her and give John Wayne the job. She proves to be a tough nut to crack so they decide to deport her but the Duke has fallen for her and knowing that they cannot deport the wife of an American Citizen, he marries her only to find out after they are married she is a spy and it's all just a Russian plot to get information to take back to the mother land.

Cast

            John Wayne as Col. Shannon

            Janet Leigh as Anna

            Jay C. Flippen as Maj.Gen.Black

            Paul Fix as Maj. Rexford

            Richard Rober as George Rivers

            Roland Winters as Col. Sokolov

            Hans Conried as Col. Matoff

            Ivan Triesault as Gen. Langrad

            John Bishop as Major Lester Sinclair

            Perdita Chandler as Georgia Rexford

            Joyce Compton as Mrs. Simpson

            Denver Pyle as Mr. Simpson

            Dorothy Abbott
            
            Phil Arnold as Bellboy

            Louis Austin as Saleswoman

            Gregg Barton
            
            Alan Dinehart III as Fresh Kid

            Bill Erwin as Sergeant-GAC

            Gene Evans as Airfield Sergeant

            Elizabeth Flournoy as WAF Captain

            Vince Gironda as Muscle Man

            Don Haggerty
            
            Harry Lauter as Sergeants

            Ruth Lee as Mother

            Nelson Leigh as FBI Man

            Sylvia Lewis as WAC Corporal

            Michael Mark as Russian General

            Keith McConnell as Bartender

            Al Murphy
            
            Wendell Niles as Major

            Jack Overman as Sergeant

            Joey Ray as Waiter

            Gene Roth as Sokolov's Batman

            Ruthelma Stevens
            
            Armand Tanny as Muscle Man

            Kenneth Tobey
            
            Mamie Van Doren as WAF

            Smoki Whitfield as Henry

            Carleton Young
            
            Paul H. Frees as Lt. Tiompkin

            John Chapin Morgan as Lieutenant

            Jack Shea as MP

            Bill Yeager as Captain

            Joan Whitney as WAC Sergeant

            Jane Easton
            
            Michael Lally
            
            Herbert C. Lytton
            
            Allen Matthews as Headwaiter

            Theodore Rand
            
            Jimmie Dime
            
            Barbara Freking as WAFs

            Tom Daly as Hotel Clerk

            Richard Norris
            
See full cast