The McConnell Story (1955)

A rebellious medic (Alan Ladd) in the U.S. Army is obsessed with flying and wants to transfer to the Air Force. Meanwhile, he marries a girl (June Allyson) but as soon as she gets pregnant, he gets his opportunity to become the flyer he always wanted to be and becomes a hero during the Korean war. This film is practically a recruitment for the Air Force that I wouldn't be surprised if Warner Brothers billed the Department Of Defense for the making of the film! The film is even "introduced" by an actual Air Force General. Though based on the true story of Captain Joseph McConnell, America's top ace in the Korean war downing 16 enemy jets, it's a tired cliched story at least as served up here. It doesn't help that the 41 year old Ladd (the real McConnell died at the age of 32) and 37 year old Allyson are too old for the characters they're portraying. Poor Allyson hasn't much to do but wait for her man, have babies and smile through her tears while Ladd flies the wild blue yonder. McConnell died during the making of the film necessitating a rewrite for the film's finale. Directed by Gordon Douglas. The CinemaScope photography is by John F. Seitz (SUNSET BOULEVARD) and the dreadful score is by Max Steiner at his worst. With James Whitmore, Frank Faylen, Sarah Selby, Willis Bouchey, Perry Lopez, Frank Ferguson, Edward Platt and Kasey Rogers.