Product Description

Tyrone Power pursues Betty Grable and becomes A YANK IN THE R.A.F., in this romantic drama set in the early days of WWII. For smooth-talking daredevil pilot Tim Baker (Power), flying is a game and the war is simply an opportunity to make some quick money. When a high-paying job ferrying bombers across the Atlantic lands him in London, he runs into Carol (Grable), an old flame, and joins the R.A.F. just to be near her. But problems arise when Carol is pursued by another pilot (John Sutton), who treats her better and happens to be Baker's superior officer! When both men start flying bombing missions over Europe, Carol finds that choosing between them is suprisingly hard, and Baker learns that not everyone takes life as lightly as he does.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #54046 in DVD
• Brand: POWER,TYRONE
• Released on: 2002-05-21
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 98 minutes

Amazon.com
Tyrone Power is the quintessential American abroad, a brash, smart-talking flyboy with a roving eye and a mercenary heart--in other words, a part made for him. "I know, I'm a worm," he smiles as he plants a kiss on Betty Grable, the American showgirl who can't seem to stay mad at the charming cad who enlists in the RAF just to impress her. The marvelous special-effects model work delivers two excellent airborne sequences (a harrowing bombing run over Germany and a swarming dogfight over the evacuation of Dunkirk), but as military melodrama it's ultimately pure Hollywood fluff and only halfhearted propaganda. A Yank in the RAF is less about the war in Europe than about Power's rakish grin and future GI pin-up Grable's oft-displayed legs, and they display their charms for all they're worth. --Sean Axmaker

From the Back Cover
Tyrone Power and Betty Grable are captivating in this romantic WWII drama. When slick, money-motivated pilot Tim Baker (Power) takes a high-paying job ferrying bombers across the Atlantic, he meets up with Carol (Grable), an old flame who sparks enough new heat that Baker joins England's R.A.F. just to be near her. But Carol is also pursued by another pilot--Baker's superior officer! And when Baker must begin flying bombing missions, life suddenly takes on far more meaning than ever before. Featuring actual aerial combat footage and Grable's classic musical numbers, A Yank in the R.A.F. is an engagingly dramatic love story. 1941, B&W, 98 minutes.

Customer Reviews

Grable brings playboy flier down to earth
Playboy flier Tyrone Power enlists in RAF at the start of WW2. In London he literally bumps into his ex-girlfriend, dancer Betty Grable, and tries to rekindle their romance, in this exciting wartime adventure written by studio chief Darryl Zanuck (under the name of Melville Crossman). Hollywood's first WW2 film is a very authentic account of the early days of Britain at war. Good use of actual aerial battle-scene footage. And Grable adds a touch of much-needed sex appeal in her scenes with Power. In the original story Power's character was killed in battle, but when the British War Office heard of this, they pleaded with Zanuck to change the ending as it would have a bad effect on the morale of UK citizens! Zanuck conceded, and Power wins Grable in the end. Oh well, that's Hollywood.

Betty Grable fans...and World War II buffs, REJOICE...
...this 1941 film did a lot in its day to interest
Americans in the plight of our British cousins at
the beginning of World War II. It is entertainment,
but with air combat footage that adds to its reality.
Betty Grable and Tyrone Power are attractive and
engaging. Now that we are once again sadly engaged
in war, it is of special interest to have the chance
to look at ourselves sixty years ago and reflect upon
the similarities and the differences. Betty Grable
was a symbol of American womanhood back then...she was
more than a pin up...she was a working woman and a very
popular entertainer. Certainly she is another reason
this film is well worth watching.

Tyrone Power and Betty Grable in wartime romance
"A Yank in the R.A.F", was one of the first of Hollywood's productions that was designed to draw home audiences to the happenings overseas as the shadow of war crossed over Europe. Although done in a light vein this production has much to commend it, namely a wonderful teaming (the only time ever), between Box Office heartthrob Tyrone Power at his most handsome and the future queen of war time Hollywood Betty Grable. This combined with exciting aerial photography done in England and a steller British supporting cast helps make this film an entertaining and timely view on the effect war has on nations and its peoples.

The story tells of a brash young cocky American Tim Baker (Tyrone Power)who decides to make good in the coming war situation by making a fortune ferrying bombers over to England as it goes into direct conflict with Germany. Only thinking of his own profits he unexpectedly encounters former love Carol Brown who between her nightclub engagements is doing her bit for the local war effort by working for the medical corps. Determined to get her back after an earlier bad ending to their relationship Tim decides to join up with the R.A.F to impress her with his sincere attentions. Once in the R.A.F however Tim encounters some rivalry from upright Commander John Morley (John Sutton) who is everything that Tim isn't, proper, responsible, reliable and a true gemtleman, and who is equally smitten with Carol. The story chronicles the back and forth feelings that Carol has for both men, knowing full well that Commander Morley is by far the best prospect for marriage and a proper relationship , while all the time knowing that Tim, with all his faults is the one she really loves. Once the R.A.F starts to see active service however Tim unexpectedly finds a purpose in his life. A daring raid over Germany and his participation in the evacuation of Dunkirk open his eyes to the reality of war and he sees for the first time what is worth fighting for in our democracy. The fade out finds Tim injured but this time a true hero and worthy of Carol's affection despite him retaining his roguish manner and eye for a pretty girl which Carol realises, like it or loath it, will forever be part of his character.

"A Yank in the R.A.F", was one of Twentieth Century Fox's biggest productions for 1941 and no expense was spared in bringing this romance in the eye of war to the screen. In their only teaming together Tyrone Power and Betty Grable work very well together making their two characters, despite the unbelievable circumstances of their day to day existence, seemingly real and appealing. The script provides ample opportunities for their best assets to be regularly put on display for the audiences benefit, namely Tyrone's stunning looks and Betty's famous legs soon to be immortalised into Hollywood Folklore. The film however is not all froth and bubble. A real attempt is made to begin to educate the audience about the approaching crisis in Europe and some of the battle scenes and aerial photography is superb in displaying the frightening consequences of war. Directed with typical gusto by Tyrone Power's favourite director Henry King the action is never allowed to slacken and the romantic interludes are incorporated well into the action sequences with their more serious intention. The film is certainly a star vechicle for the two Fox stars however the supporting British cast create the necessary atmosphere of war time London. John Sutton has the possibly thankless role of Commander Morley, Tyrone's superior and rival for Carol's attentions however he breathes real life into what is potentially an "other man", role and makes us care what happens to the solid , upright British soldier. The always excellent Reginald Gardiner as Flying Officer Roger Pillby, the man always after a good time who tragically is killed trying to save his mates in combat also is excellent and in a small part British actress Ethel Griffies as Lady FitzHugh provides just the right elements of efficency and British crustiness to make us feel we are definately part of the air raid practice that she is responsible for running.

The film, while undoubtedly a piece of Hollywood romance, was important in a number of ways. It certainly began the real build up in Betty Grable's career which saw her become a great symbol of what was worth fighting for at home. Tyrone Power was at the peak of his Box office drawing power at this time just prior to him going into the armed forces. It cemented his stardom and proved that audiences would still like to see him in more serious themed movies in the future. Importantly it made US audiences aware that the coming conflict was something that would affect all of them , not just Europe and for that purpose the film had good propaganda value. I see the film as an entertaining film from Hollwood's war time period which is certainly not totally realistic but tells an entertaining story with engaging lead actors in Tyrone Power and Betty Grable at their peak.