Night Flight

Out of circulation since 1942 (due to copyright obstacles), the all-star MGM aerial drama Night Flight is based on the same-titled novel by aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Directed by Clarence Brown, this 1933 film revolves around the early airmail network in South America, run by the ambitious and merciless Riviere (John Barrymore). Riviere delivers “lonely at the top” speeches justifying his orders to others to risk death in the skies, including Jules (Clark Gable) and Auguste (Robert Montgomery), pilots who fly the single-engine planes across the continent through mountain passes, battering storms, blinding fog banks, and other hazards. Helen Hayes, Lionel Barrymore, and a glamorous Myrna Loy fill out the roster of this Grand Hotel in the clouds. While it's definitely a treat to see all that star wattage on screen, the big names rarely appear in the same scenes together, more often communicating via phone, radio, hand-scribbled messages, and Morse code, which means—flashes of lightning aside—opportunities for dramatic sparks are few. Night Flight does, however, feature some terrific aerial shots and miniature effects as aircraft navigate the treacherous passes of the Andes and dip and dive while looking for visual markers (the old-fashioned method of navigation). While no masterpiece, the celestial cast still makes this a worth-a-look curio for fans of classic cinema. DVD extras include a vintage short and a cartoon. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)