Only Angels Have Wings (1939)

Only Angels Have Wings Poster

A traveling performer arrives at a remote South American port town where the head of an air freight service must risk his pilots' lives to earn a major contract.

Introduction
"Only Angels Have Wings" is an American experience drama film launched in 1939. It is directed by Howard Hawks and features significant stars such as Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, and others. The plot, primarily set in Barranca, an imaginary South American port, mainly revolves around air travel and the obstacles faced by the pilot characters.

Key Characters
Cary Grant handles the character of Geoff Carter, the chief pilot and supervisor of a small, struggling airline business owned by a Dutchman known as "Dutchy". Jean Arthur stars as Bonnie Lee, a taking a trip performer who has a layover in Barranca.

Plot Overview
Bonnie Lee concerns Barranca for a short layover and becomes brought in to the thrill-seeking and stressful life of the pilots, especially Geoff Carter. Carter is focused on his task, trying to secure a vital mail contract for their airline company, which could wait from shutting down. However, the brave pilots risk their lives daily to deliver mail in the foggy and harmful surface, escalating the adventurous spirit of the film.

One pilot tragically passes away while attempting a flight through a lethal fog, and his replacement ends up being Bat MacPherson (Richard Barthelmess) - a well-known figure with a doubtful past record in air travel. MacPherson has actually been fleing from his past, where he deserted his co-pilot, who also occurred to be Carter's buddy, during a crash. With his wife, Judy (Rita Hayworth), MacPherson seeks redemption and a clean slate at Barranca.

Conflict and Resolution
The stress increase between Carter and MacPherson due to their past, but they need to work together to secure the mail contract. In the middle of the continuous drama, Bonnie and Geoff's relationship blossoms, with Bonnie trying to comprehend the hardened, casual attitude Geoff has towards death and risk.

In the climax, Geoff gets hurt, and MacPherson is the only available pilot to make the all-important flight that determines the fate of the airline company. Regardless of hesitating, MacPherson takes on the challenge, impressively managing the flight. Nevertheless, he dies during the return flight in a deadly crash, lastly earning his redemption.

With MacPherson's sacrifice, the airline business protects the mail contract, waiting from doom. Bonnie chooses to leave, but Geoff encourages her to stay and wait till he returns from the flight, ending the movie on an enthusiastic note.

Conclusion
"Only Angels Have Wings" is a timeless motion picture from Hollywood's Golden Age that perfectly blends experiences, sacrifices, and deep human emotions. It provides an informative check out the lives of these early aviation leaders, highlighting their guts and determination. The film's strength lies in its exceptional storytelling, engaging characters, fantastic performances, and excellent direction that brings the awesome world of air travel to life.

Top Cast

  • Cary Grant (small)
    Cary Grant
    Geoff Carter
  • Jean Arthur (small)
    Jean Arthur
    Bonnie Lee
  • Richard Barthelmess (small)
    Richard Barthelmess
    Bat Mac Pherson
  • Rita Hayworth (small)
    Rita Hayworth
    Judy MacPherson
  • Thomas Mitchell (small)
    Thomas Mitchell
    Kid Dabb
  • Allyn Joslyn (small)
    Allyn Joslyn
    Les Peters
  • Sig Ruman (small)
    Sig Ruman
    Dutchy
  • Victor Kilian (small)
    Victor Kilian
    Sparks
  • John Carroll (small)
    John Carroll
    Gent Shelton
  • Don Barry (small)
    Don Barry
    Tex
  • Noah Beery Jr. (small)
    Noah Beery Jr.
    Joe Souther