Keep ’Em Flying (1941): Cast & Plot
Keep ’Em Flying is a 1941 comedy directed by Arthur Lubin, starring William B. Davidson as Gonigle, Larry Steers and Doris Lloyd. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 26m (86 min)
- Director
- Arthur Lubin
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Keep ’Em Flying About?
The premise of Keep ’Em Flying without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A fearless barnstorming stunt pilot enlists in the Army Air Corps, and his two bumbling sidekicks—none other than the comedy team Abbott & Costello—insist on tagging along. Their slap‑slap‑slap antics turn basic training into chaos, leaving the air corps bewildered by the pair’s wild, airborne misadventures.
Keep ’Em Flying Themes & Keywords
· 7 tags- onion peeling
- u.s. army air corps
- military propaganda
- imperative in title
- man in uniform
- aviation
- slapstick comedy
Keep ’Em Flying Cast & Characters
William B. Davidson leads the cast as Gonigle, with Larry Steers as Man with Woman with Lipstick (uncredited) and Doris Lloyd as Lady with Lipstick (uncredited). Directed by Arthur Lubin; 50 actors are credited in all.
- Director Arthur Lubin
-
William B. Davidson as Gonigle - Larry Steers as Man with Woman with Lipstick (uncredited)
- Doris Lloyd as Lady with Lipstick (uncredited)
- Dick Foran as Jinx Roberts
Also Starring in Keep ’Em Flying
· 46 more- Bud Abbott Blackie Benson
- Lou Costello Heathcliff
- Carol Bruce Linda Joyce
- William Gargan Craig Morrison
- Peter Sullivan Undetermined Role (uncredited)
- William H. O'Brien Waiter at Manila Club (uncredited)
- Harry Strang Truck Driver (uncredited)
- Cyril Ring Nightclub Extra (uncredited)
- Earle Hodgins Tunnel of Love Attendant (uncredited)
- William Forrest Colonel
- Carleton Young Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
- Eddie Hall Soldier Who Pokes Seymour with Cue Stick (uncredited)
- Charles King Cadet (uncredited)
- James Seay Lieutenant (uncredited)
- Russell Wade Young Flyer (uncredited)
- Richard Crane Cadet Stevens (uncredited)
Show all 50 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Mickey Simpson Mickey - Academy Gate Guard (uncredited)
- Nelson McDowell Tall Man at Carnival (uncredited)
- Martha Raye Gloria Phelps / Barbara Phelps
- Phil Warren Bevans - C47 Pilot (uncredited)
- Truman Bradley Butch
- Regis Parton Cadet (uncredited)
- Gene O'Donnell Control Tower Operator (uncredited)
- Virginia Engels Hatcheck Girl (uncredited)
- Charles Lang Jim Joyce
- Frank Penny Carnival Spieler (uncredited)
- Janet Warren USO Girl (uncredited)
- Harold Daniels Announcer (uncredited)
- Marcia Ralston USO Girl (uncredited)
- Stanley Smith Cadet (uncredited)
- Loring Smith Major Barstow
- Bill Seckler The Six Hits
- Paul Scott Doctor (uncredited)
- Marvin Bailey The Six Hits
- Mack McLean The Six Hits
- Freddie Slack Pianist
- Vince Degen The Six Hits
- Emil Van Horn Man in Gorilla Costume (uncredited)
- Howard Hudson The Six Hits
- Jerry Preshaw The Six Hits
- Princess Luana Dancer (uncredited)
- James Horne Jr. Cadet (uncredited)
- Dorothy Darrell USO Girl (uncredited)
- Charles King Jr. Cadet (uncredited)
- Scott Groves Cadet (uncredited)
- Dorothy L. Jones Brunette (uncredited)
More from Arthur Lubin
More films directed by Arthur Lubin: Hold On!, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, Escapade in Japan and The First Traveling Saleslady.
Keep ’Em Flying Plot Summary
What happens in Keep ’Em Flying from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Gonigle William B. Davidson runs a carnival air show with a firm hand, and his decision to fire the arrogant yet talented stunt pilot Jinx Roberts Dick Foran after a heated disagreement sets the story in motion. Out of work, Jinx decides to enlist in the Army Air Corps, and with his stubborn pride still intact, he drags along two loyal but prone-to-trouble companions—Blackie Benson Bud Abbott and Heathcliff Lou Costello—to celebrate with one last night out at a nightclub. There, Jinx and Linda Joyce Carol Bruce meet, and a spark quickly forms between the brash pilot and the club’s captivating singer.
Full summary
The whole story of Keep ’Em Flying, scene by scene
Keep ’Em Flying Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Keep ’Em Flying.
How Well Do You Know Keep ’Em Flying?
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
Which famous comedy duo plays Blackie Benson and Heathcliff?
Seen Keep ’Em Flying?
Movies Like Keep ’Em Flying
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including It’s in the Air, Now We’re in the Air and The Flying Deuces.
Keep ’Em Flying FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Keep ’Em Flying, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Keep ’Em Flying?
Keep ’Em Flying runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).
When was Keep ’Em Flying released?
Keep ’Em Flying was released on November 19, 1941.
Who directed Keep ’Em Flying?
Keep ’Em Flying was directed by Arthur Lubin.
More films by Arthur Lubin Who is in the cast of Keep ’Em Flying?
Keep ’Em Flying stars William B. Davidson as Gonigle, Larry Steers as Man with Woman with Lipstick (uncredited) and Doris Lloyd as Lady with Lipstick (uncredited), among 50 credited actors.
Does Keep ’Em Flying have a post-credit scene?
No. Keep ’Em Flying has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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