The McConnell Story (1955)

Director:

Gordon Douglas

Writers:

Sam Rolfe (writer)
Ted Sherdeman (screenplay)

Release Date:

2 December 1955 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Mac's plans to settle down and raise a family are upset by the Korean War. He goes as a fighter pilot and returns a hero...

Plot Keywords:

Test Pilot | Korean War | Loyalty | Worried Wife | Archival Footage

Cast

Alan Ladd	...	Capt. Joseph C.'Mac' McConnell, Jr.
June Allyson	...	Pearl 'Butch' Brown
James Whitmore	...	SSgt. / Maj. / Col. Ty 'Dad' Whitman
Frank Faylen	...	Sfc. Sykes
Robert Ellis	...	Bob Brown (Pearl's brother)
Willis Bouchey	...	Newton Bass (Apple Valley realtor)
Sarah Selby	...	Mrs. Brown
Gregory Walcott	...	1st MP
Frank Ferguson	...	Mike (mechanic at Fitchburgh Airport)
Perry Lopez	...	Red
John Pickard	...	2nd MP
Dabbs Greer	...	Pilot instructor
Edward Platt	...	Medical Corps Instructor
Vera Marshe	...	Blonde Woman
James Dobson	...	Lt. Roy Singer

Also Known As:

Tiger in the Sky (UK)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Warnercolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (RCA Sound System) (magnetic prints) | Mono (optical prints)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During World War II, a character disembarks from a C-47 transport that is clearly marked USAF. The United States Air Force was not created until 1947, two years after the war ended.

Quotes:

Capt. Joseph C.'Mac' McConnell, Jr.: I think I'm going to call you 'Butch'
Pearl 'Butch' Brown: Why?
Capt. Joseph C.'Mac' McConnell, Jr.: Because when I look at you, you cut me into pieces.

Soundtrack:

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow

A June Allyson/Sean Young Fan...

"Fire Birds" (1990) is reminiscent of "The McConnell Story (1955), without the action scenes. Although the characters, dialog, and technical aspects of the film may be highly fictionalized, it is accurate and realistic enough to provide splendid entertainment in the tradition of Hollywood's golden era. June Allyson, playing a 'steely' girlfriend, would have been proud to fly alongside her man. Sean Young aptly takes on the role, while showing both a dedication for America, as well as a love for her man. She patriotically flies for her country, while cheering-on and encouraging her man (enthusiatically played by Nicolas Cage). Cage plays a young, 'hotshot' flier, with plenty of arrogance and too-much ego, until he truly learns humility from his helicopter trainer (well-played by Tommy Lee Jones). The film includes the danger and the romance of flying, as well as the privilege to serve as a flying ace. Like "The McConnell Story" (1955), I did not find the dialog to be the least bit 'corny'. June Allyson excelled as the 'good', but rather-emotional and naive wife. Sean Young excels as the 'sexy', sometimes-naughty and sometimes-nice girlfriend. But, Sean makes it quite clear that she wants to be a flier, as much as she wants to be a girlfriend or a wife. And, I do not think it is the least bit 'corny' that Sean displays a love for her country, as much as she displays a love for her man. Unlike June Allyson in "The McConnell Story" (1955), Sean Young does not wish to take on the traditional woman's role. Like her man, she has a dream to fly. And, like Nicolas Cage and Tommy Lee Jones, she excels in her role (as June Allyson does in "The McConnell Story"). And, there is plenty of 'meat' in the dialog, which is far from superficial. Whether it be Tommy Lee Jones talking about why he joined the military ("I wanted to be a full blown American hero, cook-in full tilt boogie for freedom and justice"), Nicolas Cage ("Are you ever gonna let me win?"), or after Sean Young wipes a single tear from her eyes. Nicolas Cage, Sean Young, and Tommy Lee Jones provide plenty of inspiration and strength. I rate this film an 8 out of 10, and highly recommend it to anyone who has a love for his-and-her country. And, with an open-and-patriotic heart, "The McConnell Story" (1955) should make one stand up and cheer!