Toward the Unknown (1956): Cast & Plot
Toward the Unknown is a 1956 war drama directed by Mervyn LeRoy, starring William Holden as Maj. Lincoln Bond, Charles McGraw and Lloyd Nolan. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 55m (115 min)
- Director
- Mervyn LeRoy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Toluca Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Toward the Unknown About?
The premise of Toward the Unknown without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
At a remote U.S. Air Force base, an elite group of rocket pilots operate experimental craft that push the limits of flight. After being forced into a false confession while a POW in Korea, Major Lincoln Bond returns as a test pilot. Determined to restore his honor, he clashes with a stern base commander, skeptical colleagues, and his own doubts.
Toward the Unknown Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- aircraft design
- romantic rivalry
- aerial camera shot
- out of control situation
- aircraft crash
- haunted by the past
- cold war propaganda
- military aviation
- prototype airliner
- reference to outer space
- korean war veteran
- rocketry
+38 more Show fewer
- dinner dance
- psychological torment
- aging
- drop launch
- brigadier general
- former prisoner of war
- ejecting from a plane
- bell aircraft corporation
- aviation engineer
- alcoholic
- military aide
- lieutenant general
- rescinding resignation
- pride and hubris
- aileron roll
- military pilot
- reputation
- helicopter
- accidental death
- colonel
- air force pilot
- bell x 2 starbuster
- william faulkner quotation
- death of pilot
- death of husband
- military salute
- mid air refueling
- mothership
- senator
- supersonic aircraft
- aviation history
- military officer
- tribune
- job transfer
- lovers reunited
- communist
- military discipline
- rocket test
Toward the Unknown Cast & Characters
William Holden leads the cast as Maj. Lincoln Bond, with Charles McGraw as Col. 'Mickey' McKee and Lloyd Nolan as Brig. Gen. Bill Banner. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy; 14 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Mervyn LeRoy
-
William Holden as Maj. Lincoln Bond -
Charles McGraw as Col. 'Mickey' McKee -
Lloyd Nolan as Brig. Gen. Bill Banner - Maura Murphy as Sarah McKee
Also Starring in Toward the Unknown
· 10 more- Virginia Leith Connie Mitchell
- Ralph Moody Harvey Gilbert
- Murray Hamilton Maj. Bromo Lee
- James Garner Lt. Col. Joe Craven
- Karen Steele Polly Craven
- Paul Fix Lt. Gen. Bryan Shelby
- L.Q. Jones 2nd Lt. Sweeney
- Malcolm Atterbury Hank
- Bartlett Robinson Sen. Black
- Carol Kelly Debbie
More from Mervyn LeRoy
More films directed by Mervyn LeRoy, best-rated first: The Wizard of Oz, Waterloo Bridge, Mister Roberts and Quo Vadis.
Toward the Unknown Plot Summary
What happens in Toward the Unknown 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
USAF Major Lincoln Bond [William Holden] endures 14 months of torture during the Korean War, eventually signing a confession that is used for propaganda. After his release, he spends a year slowly rebuilding and then returns to Edwards Air Force Base, hoping to resume his career as a test pilot. On his arrival, a plane crash lands on the dry lake bed nearby, and he races toward the flames, risking his life to pry the canopy free and save the pilot.
His brave rescue is witnessed by his old comrade Col. ‘Mickey’ McKee [Charles McGraw], but base commander Brigadier General Banner [Lloyd Nolan] remains wary, doubting Bond’s stability and suitability for flight duty. Complicating matters, Banner’s secretary and old flame, Connie Mitchell [Virginia Leith], harbors conflicted feelings toward him.
Full summary
The whole story of Toward the Unknown, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Toward the Unknown?
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 name of the USAF major who returns to Edwards Air Force Base after the Korean War?
Cars in Toward the Unknown
24 cars on screen, including the 1950 Buick Special and the 1951 Ford Custom.
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1950 Buick Special Important role -
1951 Ford Custom Important role -
1952 American LaFrance O-11A Minor role -
1947 Chevrolet Advance-Design 3100 Minor role
Toward the Unknown Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Soli nell'infinito” and “Rumo ao Desconhecido”.
- Also known as
-
- Soli nell'infinito
- Rumo ao Desconhecido
- Einst kommt die Stunde
- Навстречу неизведанному
- 로켓 파일럿
- Al borde del infierno
- Vers el desconegut
- Je reviens de l'enfer
- 地狱边缘
- 地獄邊緣
Seen Toward the Unknown?
Movies Like Toward the Unknown
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The War Lover, The Starfighters and Dive Bomber.
Toward the Unknown FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Toward the Unknown, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Toward the Unknown?
Toward the Unknown runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).
When was Toward the Unknown released?
Toward the Unknown was released on September 27, 1956.
Who directed Toward the Unknown?
Toward the Unknown was directed by Mervyn LeRoy.
More films by Mervyn LeRoy Who is in the cast of Toward the Unknown?
Toward the Unknown stars William Holden as Maj. Lincoln Bond, Charles McGraw as Col. 'Mickey' McKee and Lloyd Nolan as Brig. Gen. Bill Banner, among 14 credited actors.
Does Toward the Unknown have a post-credit scene?
No. Toward the Unknown has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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