WINGS FOR THE EAGLE

 

WINGS FOR THE EAGLE (1942) is a flag-waving piece of Hollywood war time propaganda. It's a drama set in a Lockheed aircraft factory in Burbank, California shortly before the U.S. entry into World War II. The factory manufactures P-38s and Hudson aircraft and employees men and women in the endeavor. 

The story focuses on a romantic triangle comprised of Ann Sheridan (who is top billed), Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson. Morgan is a draft dodger looking for easy work to avoid serving in the military. Carson is his college buddy who can't get a job at the factory and the lovely Sheridan is Carson's wife, whom Morgan is constantly making a play for. 

Supporting players include George Tobias as Jake Hanso who works alongside his son Pete (Russell Arms) at the factory. When Pearl Harbor is attacked on December 7th, 1941, Pete enlists and is eventually killed in action in the Philippines. Morgan finally comes to his senses, realizes that Sheridan and Carson belong together and finally joins the Army. 

It's all very patriotic and stirring, a programmer constructed with one goal in mind: to support the war effort on the home front. As such it succeeds. Morgan and Carson are both good but Sheridan is the standout here as a woman torn between two lovers while also trying to do her part for the war.

You should note that this film was made in 1942 and there are a couple of lines of dialog that reflect the different social mores of the time. At one point, Sheridan is referred to as "free, white and twenty-one", while later she delivers a verbal jab by saying "that's white of you."

Different time, different world my friends. 

If you're a fan of WWII propaganda films, WINGS FOR THE EAGLE is worth checking out.