Tail Spin (1939)

A budding aviatrix (Alice Faye) is determined to make a name for herself in flying circles by winning an air race. To this end, she enters the Powder Puff national race. Her main competition comes from a wealthy society girl (Constance Bennett), who she resents because she comes from a life of privilege. Based on the novel WOMEN WITH WINGS by Genevieve Haugen (who was an advisor and stunt pilot on the film) and directed by Roy Del Ruth (BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938). The focus on female pilots makes this ordinary narrative more interesting than if it had been focused on male pilots. But that's about the only point of interest here. The acting is above average and Alice Faye (not an actress I'm particularly fond of) gets an opportunity to display some acting chops. It's not a subtle film, it telegraphs events. One of the characters may as well have "I'm going to die in a plane crash" tattooed on their forehead while another could have a "I'm going to commit suicide" tattooed on theirs. To be fair, I found it very entertaining. With Jane Wyman, Nancy Kelly, Joan Davis, Charles Farrell and Harry Davenport.