Chain Lightning (1950)

A test pilot (Humphrey Bogart) is in the cockpit of an experimental jet that he is attempting to fly from Alaska to Washington D.C. The problem is the distance is beyond the jet's tested range. Based on the short story THESE MANY YEARS by Lester Cole and directed by Stuart Heisler (THE GLASS KEY). In the 1950s, Hollywood was fascinated by jet aviation and the subject provided the basis for many movies including STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, JET PILOT, THE MCCONNELL STORY and even the British got into the act with David Lean's THE SOUND BARRIER. Sadly, this is a dreary entry in the aviation fascination. The story just isn't very interesting and Bogart (at the end of his Warners contract) can barely contain his disinterest. He probably realized that not only was the script lacking but the real stars of the movie were the jet aircraft. For those interested in aviation, the film might pass muster but for everyone else, it's a tedious turn. With Eleanor Parker providing the love interest (she would fare better with her next film, CAGED), Raymond Massey, Richard Whorf and Roy Roberts.