Customer Reviews

Only Angels Have Wings

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Columbia Pictures presents "ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS" (1939) (121 min/B&W) -- Starring: Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Richard Barthelmess, Rita Hayworth & Thomas Mitchell

Directed by Howard Hawks

While waiting for her boat, Bonnie Lee (Jean Arthur) stops at a small airport in South America. The pilots there deliver mail over a dangerous and usually foggy mountain pass. Geoff Carter (Cary Grant), the lead flyer, seems distant and cold as Bonnie tries to get closer to him. Things heat up as Judy MacPherson (Rita Hayworth), Geoff's old flame, shows up with her husband Bat MacPherson (Richard Barthelmess) who is an infamous pilot.

Scripted by Jules Furthman from a story by Hawks, 'Only Angels Have Wings' is a treasure trove of terse, pithy dialogue: one favorite scene occurs when, upon discovering that he's about to die, Thomas Mitchell says he's often wondered how he'd react to imminent death-and, now that death is but a few moments away, he'd rather that no one else be around to witness his reaction.

Good score by the great composer Dimitri Tiomkin.

Special footnote: ~ Howard Hawks remembers: "When the movie was released a certain critic said 'It's the only picture Hawks ever made that didn't have any truth in it.' I wrote him a letter and said, 'Every blooming thing in that movie was true.' I knew the men that were in it and everything about it. But it was just where truth was stranger than fiction."

BIOS:
1. Howard Hawks (Director)
Date of Birth: 30 May 1896 - Goshen, Indiana
Date of Death: 26 December 1977 - Palm Springs, California

2. Cary Grant [aka: Archibald Alexander Leach]
Date of Birth: 18 January 1904 - Horfield, Bristol, England, UK
Date of Death: 29 November 1986 - Davenport, Iowa

3. Jean Arthur [aka: Gladys Georgianna Greene]
Date of Birth: 17 October 1900 - Plattsburgh, New York
Date of Death: 19 June 1991 - Carmel, California

4. Richard Barthelmess
Date of Birth: 9 May 1895 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 17 August 1963 - Southampton, New York

5. Rita Hayworth [aka: Margarita Carmen Cansino]
Date of Birth: 17 October 1918 - Brooklyn, New York
Date of Death: 14 May 1987 - New York City, New York

6. Thomas Mitchell
Date of Birth: 11 July 1892, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Date of Death: 17 December 1962, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 121 min on DVD ~ Columbia Pictures ~ (August 31, 1999)

I know this review will earn me boos, hisses, and "not helpful" votes, but my wife and I (both lovers of old movies) watched this a few nights back and frankly, we were baffled. Howard Hawks has made his share of movies with "men's men", but these characters are the most opaque and wooden I've ever seen! They are air-freight pilots delivering to the treacherous Andes mountain area, led by the normally charming (or at least interesting) Cary Grant. When the first pilot takes to air in the film (Noah Beery, I believe), you can hear in the inflection of his voice over the intercom that he seems resigned to his fate--the fog's closing in, and he's doomed to crash. Indeed he does, as do a number of the other pilots that follow in the film. The job doesn't seem to have any merits above its risks, and Jules Furthman's turgid script doesn't give us any hint as to why these men would risk their lives doing this job. It's implicit that flying IS their life, and there's this hunger that is satisfied only through this activity. But it's a tenet of the movie and a credo of the men that nothing needs to be explained, it's a man thing, and one just needs to move on. So what we get for "entertainment" almost borders on parody, as mission after mission goes awry, and the tight-lipped toughies muddle through. For romantic interest, there's Jean Arthur as an itinerant showgirl who almost immediately falls in love with Grant, though he "wouldn't force a girl to do anything she didn't want to" and no woman has been able to cope with the stress of living that close to death (though, in the film, Grant never actually gets up in a plane); there's also Rita Hayworth, one of his exes, who's now with McPherson (Richard Barthelmess), a pilot who bailed and let his partner die in a previous air accident. He of course, gets to redeem himself, and at the end gets to nurse a beer with the guys, cradling it in his burnt and bandaged hands. Hayworth also tries to seduce Grant, to no avail. Eventually the girls fall into line (acting appropriately stoic), and Arthur decides to hang around after Grant, in his typical off-handed way lets her know he loves her (via a two-headed coin)--but he loves flying more. I couldn't fathom this movie or this closed society; the story is slow and repetitive and the actors have been directed to suppress every bit of charm or life they have within them (you can see it trying to escape from Jean Arthur)--it's all very morose, banal and a trial to sit through. As a rule, I don't give one-star reviews--but I can honestly say I hated this movie.

Only Angels Have Wings is one of those many hidden treasures, one that was never really discovered... but will always be remembered. Taking place in a South American port of call for local Bananna Boats-Barranca- in which a Dutchman, John van Rider (The Dutchman) who runs almost everything in town, owns an air mail service that-despite hazardous and blinding weather- always sends its mail (and pilots) out on time, so that new planes can be bought, which will help weather conditions. As I have mentioned, the weather is harmful, and many who are emplyed by the Dutchman are killed at one point or another. Out of the small gang of pilots (including John Carrol as Jent Shelton, in a minor but excellent role), one stands out; Cary Grant, who plays Jeff Carter, a once sensitive and caring man who was turned into a cynical, unhappy chappy after a harsh breakup. Running the airline, Jeff only goes out when he thinks it might be too hard for anyone else. Bonnie Lee (Jean Arthur, in one of her first large roles)has just gotten of a Northbound boat to cool off for a couple of hours before the ship has loaded some bannanas and is ready to set out to sea. On the shore, she is met by two pilots who (after some trouble) manage to "get" her. Heartless Jeff sends one out for a delivery, contrary to a deal made between the two. Bonnie is shocked by Jeff's behavior. After deciding to come back when the fog is too much to bare, the pilot attepts a dangerous landing resulting in his death. Bonnie is shocked by how easily and rudely the bunch takes it. However, she is explained to by two members of the band, including Jeff's veteran flier best friend Kidd (played by Thomas Mitchell in perhaps one of his best roles) that they must do that or te feelings balled up inside them would be too much to bare. So Bonnie cheers up and joins the group. The next day, when Jeff gtes back from a delivery, he is surprised to find that Bonnie purposely missed her boat ride. He informs her in a rather cruel manner that she has to go on the next boat. Just when everything seems perfect, a new pilot, McPherson (a great role for Richard Bartelmess) and his wife Judy arrive, (Rita Hayworth, in her career starting film) and two rather astonsihing revalations are made. After, the pilots try again to lead a happy life, though, as they discover, it may be rather difficult.

ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS is perhaps one of the ten best films to this day, although widely ignored. The performances, direction, and sharp dialougue are equivalent to a solid five of today's so-called best films. Cary Grant is amazing, and as always, was ignored by the Acadamey Awards, as was everything about the film.

Even among other films such as Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Gunga Din, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and other outstanding films, Only Angels Have Wings is this viewers favourite. My Secind Favourite Grant Film, and top ten worthy film of any kind, Only Angels Have Wings is a powerful, sad, hilarious, cynical, and brilliant film.

I originally only watched this because Cary Grant was in it and I was curious to see the normal Rita Hayworth - I love Gelda but I think it's a shame she didn't just stop there.

I love this movie because everyone stepped back and let the story shine - this is not a Cary Grant or Jean Arthur vehicle, or a Howard-Hawks-wants-to-win-the-Oscar-so-we-made-it movie. This is genuinely good story told by brilliant actors and good direction, no tag lines required.

The story is simple. Barranca station has to delivery mail on time for 6 months so that they qualify to get THE contract that will bring in the money and equipment to solve everyone's problem; and reduce the death rate of the pilots. So every character contributed into this goal, and in turn jeopardised it with seemingly irrelevant personal crisis.

I once read a comment made by one of the actresses who worked with Cary Grant. She states that she believes that Cary Grant was never recognised by the Academy Awards because he is more concerned about overall good of the picture than whether his own acting would please the critics and academy. In "Only Angel Have Wings", everyone truly took to this idea and hats off to all of them for being the professional that we so seldom see today!

I wanted to like this movie, but I thought it was so dated as to just about cancel out the strong story line and how the story was crafted into a movie.

I like Cary Grant a lot, but here he was the no-nonsense, grim, man-among-men leader that, to my mind, played to none of his strengths. Richard Dix could have done almost as well up to the last three minutes. (Okay, I'm exagerating.)

Jean Arthur was a strong, strange actress who could hold her own with any lead actor. Here she's reduced to waiting anxiously for Grant to glance at her and to holding back the tears while she stands by her man. The subplot involving Rita Hayworth and Richard Barthelmess becomes tedious after a while. Thomas Mitchell, who seems to be in every movie made between 1935 and 1945, played Thomas Mitchell again. (Sometimes he could be great.)

It seemed to me that the tensions were self-evident; nothing was unexpected given the premise of the movie...unlike a movie with a similar premise, Wages of Fear, where your socks were scared off every time a truck approached a pot hole.

Most people seem to love this film. I dunno. There are a number of older movies that have held up well over the years. Even many which, while dated, still retain a great deal of charm. I can see how this movie would have been a hit when it came out. For me, it just seems dated.

Format: Black & White
Studio: Columbia/Tristar Studios
Video Release Date: February 5, 1992

Cast:

Cary Grant ... Geoff Carter
Jean Arthur ... Bonnie Lee
Richard Barthelmess ... Bat MacPherson (Kilgallen)
Rita Hayworth ... Judith 'Judy' MacPherson
Thomas Mitchell ... Kid Dabb
Allyn Joslyn ... Les Peters
Sig Ruman ... John 'Dutchy' Van Reiter
Victor Kilian ... Sparks (radioman)
John Carroll ... Gent Shelton
Don 'Red' Barry ... Tex Gordon (lookout)
Noah Beery Jr. ... Joe Souther
Manuel Álvarez Maciste ... The Singing Guitarist
Milisa Sierra ... Lily (Joe's girl)
Lucio Villegas ... Dr. Lagorio
Pat Flaherty ... Mike (head mechanic)
Pedro Regas ... Pancho
Pat West ... Baldy (bartender)
Lew Davis ... Shorty (mechanic)
Vernon Dent ... Ship's captain
Curley Dresden ... Mechanic
Budd Fine ... First Mate, on the Ship's Bridge
Eddie Foster ... Mechanic
Enrique Acosta ... Tourist
Tex Higginson ... Foreman #2
Harry A. Bailey ... Tourist
Raúl Lechuga ... Tourist
Jack Lowe ... Banana foreman
Francisco Marán ... Plantation overseer (on trolley)
James Millican ... Mechanic
Charles R. Moore ... Charlie (waiter)
Forbes Murray ... Mr. Harkwright (sick boy's father)
Wilson Benge ... Assistant purser
Ed Randolph ... Mechanic
Al Rhein ... Mechanic
Ky Robinson ... Mechanic
Robert Sterling
Sammee Tong ... Sam (the cook)
Victor Travers ... Plantation Overseer
Dick Botiller ... Tourist
Stanley Brown ... Harkwright Jr.
Candy Candido ... Bass player
Rafael Corio ... Rafael (purser with the scar)
Tessie Murray ... Tourist
Aurora Navarro ... Tourist
Inez Palange ... Lily's aunt
Marion Wolfe ... Mechanic
Cecilia Callejo ... Felice Torras (Geoff's lady friend)
Elena Durán ... Elena Silva (Geoff's lady friend)

This film is about a group of flyers in the South American (fictional) city of Barranca, whose flying terrain is surrounded by mountains, and endemic bad weather conditions (fog, storms, etc.). The aircraft they fly are circa 1920s (Ford Tri-motor "Tin Goose" and Fairchild 71 single engine, as well as a vintage biplane that I could not identify.)

Geoff Carter (Cary Grant) is the straw boss of the airline which is owned by John 'Dutchy' Van Reiter (Sig Ruman). The operation is flirting with economic disaster, and trying to gain a mail contract which will keep them viable.

The plot thickens when a song and dance girl, Bonnie Lee (Jean Arthur), is between boats and falls for Geoff. It is further complicated when Judy MacPerson (Rita Hayworth) shows up on the scene--a former lover of Geoff, now married to Bat MacPherson (Richard Barthelmess), who is looking for a job and running from his reputation. His past includes an instance of cowardice, which is known to the other pilots who don't want to fly with him.

This is a good movie. Howard Hawks is well-known for his expert direction (To Have and Have Not, and Red River) and this film is no exception. The cast includes Noah Beery and Thomas Mitchell, both veteran actors. Needless to say it is well-acted and directed. In its time it was considered a fine adventure story.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

Author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

When we shuffle off to that fabled desert island I'll let you take CASABLANCA or CITIZEN KANE or any other Greatest American Film you care to name - I'll take ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS and count myself the lucky one.
We're in the tiny port of call Barranca on the coast of Ecuador. Bonnie Lee (Jean Arthur), a 'specialty' entertainer, is getting off the boat. A couple of fly-boys pick her up and treat her to a dinner at the hotel/restaurant/bar and headquarters of Barranca Airlines. Geoff Carter (Cary Grant) enters and sends one of the fly-boys off into a nasty spell of weather - the mail has to be delivered.
The plane crashes and the pilot is killed. The rest of the pilots, led by Carter, respond with indifference and some forced gaiety. Bonnie is shocked by the callousness of it all:
Bonnie: Haven't you any feelings? Don't you realize he's dead?
Geoff: Who's dead? Who's Joe?
One face slap later Geoff lays it out for her. "And all the weeping and wailing in the world won't make him any deader 20 years from now. If you feel like bawling, how do you think we feel?"
End of lesson one. Bonnie is intrigued enough to miss her connecting boat and stays in Barranca for an action packed week. Geoff may be her ideal man, if she can just crack The Code.
ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS is less plot driven than most. Rather, it is a slow accumulation of scenes dealing with themes director Howard Hawks would return to again and again - male camaraderie, stoic indifference to danger, courage and devotion to duty. It also asks how women fit into this testosterone loaded environment. As usual, he assembles a competent ensemble cast and explores these issues from a number of angles.
For instance, take Bat MacPherson (Richard Bathelmess), a good pilot who has a black mark against him. Prior to arriving in Barranca he bailed out of a plane and allowed his co-pilot to die in the crash. That type of cowardice offends The Code, and MacPherson is ostracized and given the worst and most dangerous assignments - if he dies the group's indifference won't be feigned. By coincidence MacPherson arrives with his beautiful wife Judy (Rita Hayworth), the 'somebody' Bonnie earlier tells Geoff "must've given you an awful beating once." Judy couldn't conform to The Code with Geoff, and as luck will have it she's saddled with another confounding male - she doesn't understand why the other pilots shun her husband, and The Code doesn't allow anyone to explain it to her.
Everyone is on top of their game in this one (this was Rita Hayworth's breakout movie). As an unexpected and bonus the print is almost immaculate. The dvd also contains a number of movie posters, biographies of the director and the major stars and a trailers for HIS GIRL FRIDAY and GILDA.

Only Angels Have Wings is a perfect example of an often ignored, but excellent, classic movie. Directed by Howard Hawks, and with a great cast, Only Angels Have Wings is half exciting adventure movie and half romantic comedy. The sense of setting and atmosphere is very good as well - you almost feel as though the movie transports you to the imaginary South American port town of Barranca. The movie describes the adventures of a group of pilots working in a very dangerous location - they are hemmed in by mountains, and constantly face bad weather conditions. More specifically, it focuses on Bonnie Lee (Jean Arthur), a chorus girl staying in the town, and her encounters with the tough boss of the business, Jeff Carter (Cary Grant).

The cast is very good. Cary Grant, though not playing his usual role, is excellent as the tough boss, who only flys when it is too tough for anyone else. Jean Arthur is sweet and believable as the stranded chorus girl, and the supporting cast, including a very young Rita Hayworth (in her first A-movie) is perfect.

Anyhow, if you haven't seen this hidden classic from 1939, what are you waiting for? The DVD is very good - the movie is very clear and sharp, and there are a few interesting special features as well (previews for other movies and old advertisement posters, for instance). But the movie alone is worth getting - it is a must have!

This is yet another great movie from the remarkable year, 1939. I've always been curious as to what plateau the movies would have wound up on had it not been for the devastating chain of events called WWII, which had begun the year before in Europe and China.

Jean Arthur, one of Hollywood's great comedic actresses, plays a show biz type who, for reasons never made clear, has sailed into a backwater South American port. There she meets a bunch of guys who work for a rickety airline that needs to get a big mail delivery contract in order to survive. Cary Grant plays the leader of this group. He's been burned by women in the past, and, though attracted to Arthur, acts the tough guy who only cares about his job and his buddies. It doesn't take long for Arthur to decide that he's the one for her, but she's worldly enough to know that this is one catch that will be hard to reel in. Meanwhile, Grant and company have enough to keep them busy, as they battle wind, rain, fog, old airplanes, big birds and some very tall mountains in order to get said mail to its destination.

One thing I love about this movie is the way is never seems to take itself seriously. I don't know what the filmmakers intended, but much of it seems almost a satire of macho action pictures. Why else would they cast two such wonderfully funny stars in the leads?

Also of note is way the script addresse some tricky issues in the Arthur-Grant relationship by giving the movie a hopeful, rather than happy, ending. It leaves it up to the viewer to decide if this odd couple will make it or not.

The movie won an Oscar for Best Special Effects. Some of these are remarkable even today, while others are now laughably crude. But the special effects are just icing on the cake. Only Angels Have Wings is very much story driven. Nearly half of it takes place on one set, but the characters have so much going on that you hardly noctice the static setting.

Great supporting perfomances by Thomas Mitchell, Richard Bathelmess and a very young, inexperienced Riat Hayworth.

All in all, an endearing, highly entertaining movie.

This was the second dvd I bought ever and one of my favorites along with "Arsenic and Old Lace", also starring Cary Grant, but a whole different stuff. This entertaining movie keeps your attention all the time, Cary Grant and Jean Arthur are in top form and are a great couple, they do have chemistry. Richard Barthelmess, a very good actor, does a fine job in the role of the bitter guy with-a-past-that-won't-let-him-go. Rita Hayworth, in one of her first important roles, is pretty and effective as Grant's old flame. Thomas Mitchell's excellent as always, giving another great performance in a year (1939) in which he gave us such classic performances as Doc in "Stagecoach", Scarlett O'Hara's father in "GWTW", Clopin in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and Diz in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". By the way, Can you think of another year in which such an amount of classic films were released than 1939!! And this one's from that year!