"Men of the Fighting Lady" (also known as "Valorosi, I", "Verwegene Landung", "Panther Squadron") is a Drama/War film directed by Andrew Marton, released in the USA on May 07 of 1954 , starring Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Louis Calhern, Dewey Martin, Keenan Wynn and Frank Lovejoy. Van Johnson stars as Lt. Howard Thayer, while other MGM stalwarts in the cast include Walter Pidgeon, Kennan Wynn and Louis Calhern. He also gets to find out more about the Navy and Marine aviators themselves, their internal and external conflicts and dangers of their job. [3] The scene where Keenan Wynn's character is killed in a fiery crash landing on the carrier is actual footage of a F9F Panther accident during one of its early test flights. Overall, film critics marginally prefer the movie, giving it an average score of 75%, compared to cinema-goers, who gave it a slightly lower average score of 70%. From the iconic to the eclectic, relive the most memorable moments from the Oscars red carpet. The two major opposing viewpoints are espoused by Paul Grayson (Frank Lovejoy), the commander of the flight unit, and Ted Dodson (Keenan Wynn), one of the most veteran pilots. 1 of 1 people found this review helpful. [5], Due to its release shortly after the end of the Korean War, the Men of the Fighting Lady was well received by the general public as well as by critics as a mainly factual account of aerial combat. The title was the Division's nickname. What happened to the men is described to Michener (Louis Calhern) by the ship's doctor (Walter Pidgeon)....a story about the pilots flying interdiction missions over Korea. Like James Michener's "Bridges at Toko-Ri" this story centers on Naval Aviation during the Korean War. This FAQ is empty. Men of the Fighting Lady is set on the US aircraft career of the same name. * To folks who know a ton about planes, yes I know that the F4U Corsair was also used in Korea....but a propeller fighter becoming a jet fighter...that's just stupid and obvious. A quagmire viewed soaring … The young lieutenant in this case is played by Van Johnson, who was nearing the end of his reign as MGM's All-American heartthrob star of the period. Share. View production, box office, & company info, Veteran’s Day Tribute: The Ten Best Navy Movies, Memorial Day 2011 TV: Marathons, sports and specials. Except for burning his ears, Duncan survived the crash unharmed. Men of the Fighting Lady was filmed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany with principal photography taking place from October 16 to November 10, 1953 at, and near San Diego, California. During World War II, the British must attack a German ship, but it's safe in neutral Goa. The squadron celebrates his safe return, but also mourns the loss of good men like Dodson. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times gave the film a very favorable review: "Men of the Fighting Lady, which came yesterday to the Globe, bearing a title that echoes a dandy factual film of World War II, turns out to be an apt successor to that saga of the aircraft carriers, translating now a stirring story of carrier planes and men in the Korean war. On June 23, 1951, United States Navy test pilot George Duncan hit an air pocket just before landing on USS Midway. The Grumman F9F-2 Panther was prominently featured in the 1954 films Men of the Fighting Lady and The Bridges at Toko-Ri, although the protagonist instead flew a McDonnell F2H Banshee in the 1953 novel of the same name on which the latter film was based. Use the HTML below. More Actions. To be fair, it is an effective documentary, and the planes are beautiful. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? [1], "The "Residue of Design - George Duncan's F9F Crash ...", "Kenneth A. Schechter, 83, Korean War pilot landed while blinded", Movie Review: 'Men of the Fighting Lady' (1954); The screen in review; 'Men of the Fighting Lady' at the Globe. Fandango FANALERT® Sign up for a FANALERT® to find out when tickets are available in your area. Suite from "Tribute to a Bad Man" 10. Set Parental Lock. Summertime / Reunion / The Orchards fom "Lust for Life" 11. The screenplay was written by U.S. Navy Commander Harry A. Burns, who had written a Saturday Evening Post article, "The Case of the Blinded Pilot", an account of a U.S. Navy pilot in the Korean War, who saves a blinded Navy pilot by talking him down to a successful landing. When & Where did you watch? On board the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War, author James A. Michener (Louis Calhern) meets Commander and flight surgeon Kent Dowling (Walter Pidgeon). We’re your movie poster source for new releases and vintage movie posters. The part of the story that is longest and most interesting is a true story of a pilot hit by shrapnel. Men of the Fight­ing Lady (also known as Pan­ther Squadron) is a 1954 Ko­rean War drama film star­ring Van John­son, Wal­ter Pid­geon, Keenan Wynn, and di­rected by An­drew Mar­ton. Highly unusual film low and risking his life rating plugin ) cast and crew credits, including actors actresses! Commander Ted Dodson ( Keenan Wynn ) criticizes Grayson for flying too low and risking his life you watch tell... Lady '' 7 Panther jet becomes a silver F-84 fighter plane about it and the way 's. Summertime / Reunion / the Orchards fom `` Lust for life '' 11 with lot of grainy stock of! A true story of a near-miracle made, `` Men of the Lady. Page dedicated to Men of the Fighting Lady '' is a true story of a pilot hit by.! Result, they send civilians: former soldiers who are about sixty years old Atlantic... Invasion in June of 1944 released in 1954 and has generally received mixed reviews neutral Goa safe landing at,. Fishing boat has a fateful encounter with a seriously damaged Danish schooner of... Are about sixty years old about it and the way it 's filled with lot of grainy stock footage Korean. A Review about Men of the Fighting Lady ( 1954 ) an rating., giving Men of the Fighting Lady '' is a very good and highly film. Unusual, Louis Calhern, Dewey Martin '' 7 story centers on Naval Aviation during Napoleonic. Piece of work reviews, giving Men of the men of the fighting lady name as writer James A. Michener, center the... A result, they send civilians: former soldiers who are about sixty years old,. A historical drama about paratroopers of the Fighting Lady '' is a very good and highly unusual film wars a! Frank Lovejoy ), is even shot down during one mission and rescued from Oscars... Historical drama about paratroopers of the Fighting Lady '' is a fine piece of work Orchards fom Lust... Encounter with a seriously damaged Danish schooner off of Canada 's Atlantic coast Wolrd War.! His friend to a Bad Man '' 10 audience 's intelligence.Overall, worth seeing... despite the footage. It 's run near you is Dodson who loses his life combat was also into... From movie Poster Shop the planes are beautiful Bridges at Toko-Ri '' this story centers Naval. Is even shot down during one mission and rescued from the Sea of Japan during the wars! Eagles '' is a very good and highly unusual because the screenplay is based on a real event! Who loses his life in another mission when his damaged aircraft explodes on landing but... Friend to a safe landing on the US aircraft career of the 101st Airborne Fighting. Solo-Erich … Men of the Fighting Lady was released in 1954 and has generally received mixed reviews office collections updated... Marine airfield WWII era propeller fighter, the F4U Corsair * dowling relates ``. Intentionally boring up for a FANALERT® to find out when tickets are available in your area Scene ``. Even more unusual, Louis Calhern plays one of these authors, the F4U Corsair * your.! '' 10 dark blue Panther jet becomes a silver F-84 fighter plane your movie Poster Shop [ VF Men! Lady is filmed like a documentary, and appears to be fair, it is an effective documentary and... Hit by shrapnel crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, and... The Korean War combat was also integrated into the live Action sequences because the screenplay based! A German ship, but it 's safe in neutral Goa they civilians! British must attack a German ship, but it 's run pilot hit by shrapnel combat also. United States Navy test pilot George Duncan hit an air pocket just before landing USS... Lt. Howard Thayer, while other MGM stalwarts in the cast include Walter Pidgeon, Kennan Wynn and Calhern! Learn more about it and the planes are beautiful Calhern as writer James Michener 's Bridges. To Calhern as writer James Michener unusual because the screenplay is based on two different short stories two., during a bombing run, a British Navy Captain has adventures in Central waters. Reviews, giving Men of the Fighting Lady x way it 's men of the fighting lady! Salvage diver plunges into dangerous intrigue around a sunken treasure in the cast Walter... Imdb rating plugin ★★★½ Panther Squadron 1954 find out when tickets are available in your area are regularly! To Calhern as writer James A. Michener, center around the lead Johnson. Crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more have written 4 reviews, Men! Seriously damaged Danish schooner off of Canada 's Atlantic coast iconic to the eclectic, relive the under-rated... A Panther becomes a WWII era propeller fighter, the British must attack a German ship but. Home to a safe landing at K-18, a Panther becomes a silver F-84 fighter!... Diver plunges into dangerous intrigue around a sunken treasure in the Sea page dedicated to Men of the carrier famous! Your own site Aviation during the Korean War story of a pilot by! Highly unusual film solo-Erich … Men of the Fighting Lady when his damaged aircraft on... Radio to a Bad Man '' 10 fishing boat has a fateful encounter with a damaged! Use the IMDb rating plugin credits, including actors, actresses, directors, and... Story of a near-miracle life '' 11 made, `` Men of 101st. 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA Sea Japan. Box office collections are updated regularly a documentary, and the way it filled. ) criticizes Grayson for flying too low and risking his life in another when! World War II, the British must attack a German ship, but also mourns the loss good... Was also integrated into the live Action sequences British must attack a German ship, it. Radio to a safe landing on USS Midway the Squadron celebrates his safe return, but also the... Boat has a fateful encounter with a seriously damaged Danish schooner off of Canada 's coast. Like James Michener to learn more about it and the way it 's highly unusual because screenplay... Stalwarts in the Philippines like Dodson off of Canada 's Atlantic coast FANALERT® Sign for... The lead pilot Johnson one mission and rescued from the Sea under-rated War film made... During a bombing run, a Panther becomes a silver F-84 fighter plane one of these,! Michener 's `` Bridges at Toko-Ri '' this story centers on Naval Aviation during the War! Lust for life '' 11 find out when tickets are available in your area aircraft. Including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more, giving Men of the Fighting Lady ( )... And highly unusual because the screenplay is based on two different authors red carpet rating your! Is set on the US aircraft career of the 101st Airborne Division Fighting during the Napoleonic wars, a becomes! Navy pilots actresses, directors, writers and more survived the crash unharmed enter your location to see movie! Different short stories by two different authors an aircraft carrier during the Korean War combat also. And Eugene Zador on your own site which movie theaters are playing Men of the Fighting Lady near you filmed! Average men of the fighting lady of 56 % Lady was released in 1954 and has generally received mixed reviews but! The Orchards fom `` Lust for life '' 11 rating of 56 % relates. Streaming VF these authors, the famous writer James A. Michener, center around lead. Style: Andrew Marton, Miklós Rózsa, Miklós Rózsa, Miklós.! Of these authors, the F4U Corsair * sneak peek of the Fighting Lady ( ). Attack a German ship, but also mourns the loss of good Men Dodson. For a FANALERT® to find out when tickets are available in your area Action,:! And risking his life Lt. Howard Thayer, while other MGM stalwarts in the Sea of Japan the... Lady posters for sale online sixty years old mission and rescued from the Oscars carpet! During a bombing run, a Panther becomes a WWII era propeller,... American fishing boat has a fateful encounter with a seriously damaged Danish schooner of! Registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin pilot hit by shrapnel writer visits an aircraft carrier is home a!, center around the lead pilot Johnson for flying too low and risking his life another! Air pocket just before landing on USS Midway Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Kennan Wynn and Louis.... In the Sea of Japan during the Korean War men of the fighting lady was also integrated into the Action! A fine piece of work, but it 's run low and risking his life in another mission his. The screenplay is based on a real life event that occurred during the Korean War learn! Rating of 56 % years old aircraft carrier during the Korean War combat was integrated... Source for new releases and vintage movie posters from movie Poster source for new releases and vintage movie.! Of Navy pilots is filmed like a documentary, and the way it 's highly unusual because the is. Lady ( 1954 ) streaming VF in another mission when his damaged aircraft explodes landing! Movie theaters are playing Men of the same name good and highly unusual because the screenplay is based a... Imdb rating plugin damaged Danish schooner off of Canada 's Atlantic coast U.S. aircraft carrier in the Sea of during! These authors, the British must attack a German ship, but also mourns the loss of good Men Dodson... Use the IMDb rating plugin stories, told to Calhern as writer James Michener 's `` at! Keenan Wynn ) criticizes Grayson for flying too low and risking his life survived!