Wing and a Prayer (1944)
In WW2, an American aircraft carrier sails around the Pacific on a decoy mission until it joins the battle of Midway against the Japanese forces.
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Cast & Crew
Top Billed Cast
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Flight Cmdr. Bingo Harper -
Lt. Cmdr. Edward Moulton -
Ens. Hallam 'Oscar' Scott -
Capt. Waddell -
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Ens. Charles 'Cookie' Cunningham -
Beezy Bessemer -
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Ens. Gus Chisholm -
Executive Officer -
Ens. Cliff Hale -
Ens. Paducah Holloway -
Cmdr. O'Donnell -
Dooley -
Flat Top
Full cast
Director:
Henry HathawayWriters:
Jerome Cady (story), Jerome Cady (screenplay)All Cast & Crew
Awards
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
Reviews & Commentary
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Trivia
During the Battle of Midway, all the flyboys of Torpedo Squadron 8 were killed except for Ensign George Gay. This film's original intention was to depict their lives, especially Gay's. The Twentieth Century-Fox studio bought the rights to a 'Life' magazine story by Sidney L. James on the Battle of Midway as well as obtaining permission from both Ensign Gay and the United States Navy to film the story. The 23 September 1942 edition of the 'Hollywood Reporter' stated that "The Navy has relented in its stand against the use of the names of war heroes in film dramatizing their deeds and will not stand in the way provided the permission of the hero is obtained and the story content is satisfactory." However, the studio decided to produce a fictionalized telling of the Battle of Midway. The 'New York Times' of 6 February 1944 reported that the film script about Ensign Gay and Torpedo Squadron 8 was "entirely discarded" after "the protest of a certain high Government official that the proposed picture would carry a defeatist implication."
Quotes
Lt. Cmdr. Edward Moulton:
Moulton to Squadron. Remember when you think you're in close, go in closer before you drop that fish.
Goofs
Near the beginning of the film, when the ship's officers are seated around the captain waiting to open their Orders, the clock on the wall depicts 11:00 yet the ship's bell tolls four times. This is a goof as aboard a US Navy ship 11:00 would toll six times signaling the beginning of the forenoon watch.
Soundtracks
Anchors Aweigh(uncredited)
Music by Charles A. Zimmerman
Played often throughout the picture
Storyline
Plot Summary
Genres
Action | Drama | WarDetails
Release Date:
11 January 1945Language
English
Country of Origin
USAFilming Locations
20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USABox Office
Gross USA:
$2,250,000
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