Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9317 in VHS
• Released on: 1994-06-30
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Black & White, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 118 minutes

Customer Reviews

FLIGHT OR FANCY
Among the planes used in this movie were the Army's huge new bombers, which were nicknamed "Flying Fortresses", which were, in 1938, probably the most powerful war planes on earth. The scenes in which they appear were shot at March Field, California with co-operation with the Army - doubles appeared (obviously) for the stars in dangerous scenes. This picture made the most out of a test pilot's daredevil life and the spectre of death which hung over one pilot (Clark Gable, natch), his wife (Myrna Loy) and his mechanic (Spencer Tracy). TEST PILOT got its title from a book written by one Jimmy Collins who was one of the ablest of test pilots during the thirties. One day in 1935, he was making what was to have been his last flight before retiring. Suddenly, in a power-dive, a wing sheared off; the whole craft fell apart in mid-air and Collins had not a chance to jump. The most suicidal occupation in the peacetime world sixty years ago was very likely that of a test pilot. The test pilot's job was to try out new planes af all models and see just what they can do. Sometimes they couldn't do all that the pilot asks of them; when that happened, it was a matter of jump of get killed. In 1938, there were approximately 100 test pilots in the US, most being between the ages of 20 and 30. They earned big money and lived high and hard - if not long! After a few years, they'd retire or adopt a fatalistic bravado like the hero of this MGM flick, who fancies himself as playing a game with a lady in a pretty blue dress, high above the earth. One of the 15 top grossing films of 1938, it was nominated for Best Picture at the Venice Film Festival.

Superb
All I have to say is Spencer Tracy and Myrna Loy are superb actors. With great actors, everything is automatic. They don't have to pretend to be anything because the feeling is their own. I love watching classic movies to observe actors and these two are among the most talented actors. It's just to bad Ms. Loy never received an oscar because she is superb in any role she plays and every role is always believable.

WHO DO WE HAVE TO F*** TO HAVE THIS ON DVD?!!!
The subject says it all: this is a glorious film - with a maignificent cast. Why hasn't it been released on DVD?