Flight Command (1940): Cast & Plot
Flight Command is a 1940 war drama directed by Frank Borzage, starring Robert Taylor as Ens. Alan Drake, Ruth Hussey and John Hamilton. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 56m (116 min)
- Director
- Frank Borzage
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Flight Command About?
The premise of Flight Command without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Rookie Ensign Alan Drake joins the famed Hellcats squadron right out of flight school. He makes a rough start—ditching his plane and parachuting into fog, then losing an air‑combat competition with poor shooting. Rumors that he’s involved with the CO’s wife make him an outcast, but his daring rescue of CO Billy Gray’s life earns him the squadron’s respect.
Flight Command Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- u.s. army air corps
- based on story
- mental depression
- landing plane in fog
- hospital visitor
- heroic rescue
- producer director
- military aviation
- aviation equipment
- forbidden love
- squadron commander
- us navy
+38 more Show fewer
- aviator
- lost in heavy fog
- lieutenant commander
- search and rescue mission
- emergency plane landing
- telegram
- navy lieutenant
- neglected wife
- ensign
- single man married woman relationship
- romantic rivalry
- chinese american
- butler
- fighter plane target practice
- hellcat
- fighter squadron
- squadron leader
- patriotic propaganda
- aerial maneuver
- aviation squadron
- landing on a beach
- guadalupe island
- daring rescue
- male camaraderie
- rescinding resignation
- coming of age drama
- bailing out of an airplane
- false accusation
- pensacola florida
- seaplane
- aircraft carrier
- marital separation
- airplane accident
- invention
- military officer
- brother sister relationship
- aviation
- san diego california
Flight Command Cast & Characters
Robert Taylor leads the cast as Ens. Alan Drake, with Ruth Hussey as Lorna Gray and John Hamilton as Pensacola Commander (uncredited). Directed by Frank Borzage; 39 actors are credited in all.
- Director Frank Borzage
-
Robert Taylor as Ens. Alan Drake - Ruth Hussey as Lorna Gray
- John Hamilton as Pensacola Commander (uncredited)
-
Walter Pidgeon as Squadron Commander Billy Gary
Also Starring in Flight Command
· 35 more- Shepperd Strudwick Lieut. Jerry Banning
- Paul Kelly Lieut. Cmdr. 'Dusty' Rhodes
- Red Skelton Lieut. 'Mugger' Martin
- Nat Pendleton C.P.O. 'Spike' Knowles
- Addison Richards Vice Admiral
- Forbes Murray Captain
- William Tannen Lieut. Freddy Townsend
- Walter Sande Officer on Downed Seaplane
- Pat Flaherty 2nd Duty Officer
- Dick Wessel Big Sailor on Downed Seaplane (uncredited)
- James Millican North Island Tower Operator (voice)
- Donald Douglas 1st Duty Officer
- John Sheehan Friendly Mechanic
- Reed Hadley Admiral's Aide (uncredited)
- Alberto Morin Waiter (uncredited)
- Marsha Hunt Claire
Show all 39 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Steve Pendleton North Island Tower Operator
- James Seay Officer on Downed Seaplane
- George Offerman, Jr. Small Sailor on Downed Seaplane
- Dick Purcell Lieut. 'Stichy' Payne
- Tom Neal Hell Cat
- Gayne Whitman Doctor
- Lee Tung Foo Jung, Gary's Servant
- Jack Luden Hell Cat
- Bruce Edwards Hell Cat
- William Stelling Lieut. Bush
- Cliff Danielson Hell Cat
- Hal Le Sueur Hell Cat
- Stanley Smith Lieut. Frost
- Claire Owen Mrs. Frost
- John Raitt Hell Cat (uncredited)
- Howard Wilson Hell Cat
- Otto Han Gogo, Officer's Club Attendant
- Bob Davis Hell Cat
- Gilbert Wilson Hell Cat
Flight Command Plot Summary
What happens in Flight Command from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ens. Alan Drake arrives in San Diego, fresh from Pensacola, and is assigned to the elite Fighting 8 squadron, the Hellcats. His start is bumpy: a near-disastrous landing in heavy fog against orders and a clumsy miscue during a competitive shoot that effectively disqualifies the squadron. He also blurts out a date with a woman he’s just met, Lorna Gary, not realizing she is the wife of the squadron commander, Billy Gary.
Full summary
The whole story of Flight Command, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Flight Command?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the nickname given to Ensign Alan Drake by his fellow pilots?
Flight Command Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Ritorna se mi ami” and “Asas nas Trevas”.
- Also known as
-
- Ritorna se mi ami
- Asas nas Trevas
- L'appel des Ailes
- Авиазвено
- Flygkommando
Seen Flight Command?
Movies Like Flight Command
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Flight Nurse, Air Cadet and High Flight.
Flight Command FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Flight Command, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Flight Command?
Flight Command runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).
When was Flight Command released?
Flight Command was released on December 27, 1940.
Who directed Flight Command?
Flight Command was directed by Frank Borzage.
More films by Frank Borzage Who is in the cast of Flight Command?
Flight Command stars Robert Taylor as Ens. Alan Drake, Ruth Hussey as Lorna Gray and John Hamilton as Pensacola Commander (uncredited), among 39 credited actors.
Does Flight Command have a post-credit scene?
No. Flight Command has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
