Flying Leathernecks (1951)
- Starring:
- John Wayne, Robert Ryan, (more)
- Director(s):
- Nicholas Ray
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Flying Leathernecks
The Technicolor adventure epic Flying Leathernecks offers two things that film cultists can never get enough of: star John Wayne and director Nicholas Ray. Filmed at the behest of RKO chieftain Howard R. Hughes, Leathernecks is a paean to the Marine Flying Corps of World War II. Wayne plays Major Dan Kirby, a squadron commander, whose no-nonsense attitude is sharply at odds with the easygoing approach of executive officer Captain Carl Griffin (Robert Ryan). Griffin eventually learns the value of discipline at all costs, while Kirby becomes more humanized as he gets to know his pilots. Jay C. Flippen steals the show as a supply sergeant who "borrows" from other companies to keep his men happy. Though not entirely cliché-free, Flying Leathernecks is one of the more solid war films of the 1950s, and one that has remained readily available in theaters, on TV and in video stores to the present day. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 102 mins
Complete Cast of Flying Leathernecks
- John Wayne - Maj. Dan Kirby
- Don Taylor - Cowboy Blithe
- Jay C. Flippen - Master Sgt. Clancy
- James Bell - Colonel
- Adam Williams - Lieutenant Malotke
- Carleton Young - Capt. McAllister
- Gordon Geberl - Tommy Kirby
- Sam Edwards - Junior
- Lynn Stalmaster - Lt. Castle
- Mack Williams
- Keith Larsen
- Milburn Stone - Ground control officer
- Barry Kelley - General
- James Flavin - "Mick," Shore Patrol Commander
- Robert Ryan - Capt. Carl Griffin
- Janis Carter - Joan Kirby
- William Harrigan - Lt. Cmdr. Joe Curan
- Maurice Jara - Shorty Vegay
- James Dobson - Pudge McCabe
- Brett King - Lieutenant Ernie Stark
- Michael St. Angel - Lt. Jorgensen
- Harry Lauter - Freddie
- Harlan Warde - Admiral's Aide
- John Mallory - Lt. Black
- Dick Wessel - Mess sergeant
- Britt Norton - Lt. Tanner
- Douglas Henderson
- Gail Davis - Virginia Blithe
- Director(s):
- Nicholas Ray
- Writer(s):
- James Edward Grant
- Producer(s):
- Edmund Grainger
- Categories:
- War
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