Only Angels Have Wings (1939)

Hello Peoples,

     Jean Arthur plays Bonnie Lee, an American who ends up in South America via banana boat. There in South America, she runs into some American fliers and falls in love with their boss, dare-devil Geoff Carter (Cary Grant). It really starts to get interesting when a disreputable pilot comes to work with them and when Geoff reveals he has a reason behind the insane flying schedule he sticks everyone to in the midst of dangerous flying conditions.


      Jean Arthur is a favorite of mine. And, like others frequently mentioned here, she's terribly underrated. This performance is one of my new favorites, and (having seen nearly every one of her post-1934 movies) I feel confident saying it's one of the best of hers. She's such a darling person, and so good in this.
    Our leading man, Cary Grant, is not exactly a favorite, but I didn't mind him here too much. If you don't know I don't adore Cary Grant you must be new. [Welcome newcomers!] It's not that I hate him or anything, it's just that I think he's so overrated. Really, gals, he's not that good-looking. I did like his character, though - almost idealistic, only slightly too cynical - but I liked him. Only wish it would have been Ray Milland playing rather than Grant, would have made a world of difference and all for the better. 
    Whether I like Cary Grant or not, though, the romance in this was one of the best parts of this movie - watching Cary's character slowly warm up to Jean's is adorable, even if I don't like him.

     And before her hair was died red and before she became a real star and pinup, Rita Hayworth had a supporting role as the wife of that aforementioned disreputable pilot here. I believe this is the movie that made people stand up and take notice of her. She deserved the attention, what, she with her beautiful baby face and blooming talent. I like her much.


     The poster says this is 1939's greatest screen adventure...I can't say I really agree with that statement (not when Beau Geste and Union Pacific come to mind so quickly), but it was extremely intriguing. Supposedly it's very dramatic, but I must've missed that part. It was just terribly entertaining - and I loved the ending.

 

 
Favorite Quote:


Geoff: Sure it was your fault. You were gonna have dinner with him, the Dutchman hired him, I sent him up on schedule, the fog came in, a tree got in the way. All you fault.



Until Later On~