Test Pilot (1938)
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71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
69% of users liked it
(362 ratings)
Test Pilot is one of those irresistible MGM potboilers of the 1930s that coast along on sheer star power. Clark Gable plays a courageous test pilot, who compromises his achievements with his frequent bouts of drinking. Gable's mechanic, Spencer Tracy, does what he can to keep his boss out of… More Test Pilot is one of those irresistible MGM potboilers of the 1930s that coast along on sheer star power. Clark Gable plays a courageous test pilot, who compromises his achievements with his frequent bouts of drinking. Gable's mechanic, Spencer Tracy, does what he can to keep his boss out of trouble. While testing a new aircraft, Gable is forced to land on a Midwestern farm, where he meets and falls in love with Myrna Loy. Gable and Loy marry, whereupon he is fired by his boss Lionel Barrymore, who is of the opinion that flying and dames don't mix. Gable goes off on another bender, compelling Loy to leave him. Once more, Tracy comes to Gable's rescue by reuniting the couple and arranging for Barrymore to give Gable his job back. Later, Gable and Tracy are assigned to test a huge army bomber. Something goes wrong, and the plane goes into a dive. The self-sacrificing Tracy sees to it that Gable is saved from a flaming death--at the cost of his own life. Gable is so devastated by Tracy's death that it looks as though he'll never fly again. But with Loy's help, Gable regains his self-confidence. As one can see, there's little in Test Pilot that hasn't been done before. But with Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Myrna Loy at the controls, the film proved a real audience-pleaser in 1938. In fact, it's still pretty good today. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 58 min.
- Directed By
- Victor Fleming
- Written By
- Vincent Lawrence, Waldemar Young, Howard Hawks
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1938 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 11, 1991
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Test Pilot is an actioner against a new approach to the aviation theme, fortified by a strong romance.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
One of the best Hollywood aviation dramas.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Myrna Loy's favorite movie role.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Combining adventure, melodrama, and thrilling aerial sequences, Victor Fleming's film is a typical MGM star vehicle of the Depression, showing to an advantage the charisma of Gable, Tracy, and Myrna Loy.
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Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Super MGM WWII actioner + tear jerker.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Clark Gableas Jim Lane -
Myrna Loyas Ann Barton -
Spencer Tracyas Gunner Sloane
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Lionel Barrymoreas Howard B. Drake -
Samuel S. Hindsas Gen. Ross -
Marjorie Mainas Landlady
