Explore the daredevil world of Test Pilot (1938) in this in-depth movie review. Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy take flight in a romantic screwball comedy with aviation thrills, intense relationships, and a stunning B-17 crash scene.
“Test Pilot” (1938): A High-Flying Blend of Romance, Comedy, and Aviation Thrills
If you’re yearning for the golden era of daredevil aviators, romantic escapades, and screwball comedy, “Test Pilot” (1938) is your ticket to a bygone cinematic adventure. Directed by Victor Fleming but carrying the unmistakable touch of Howard Hawks, who co-wrote the script adapted from a Spig Wead story, this film soars with Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy at the helm.
The storyline introduces us to the happy-go-lucky pilot Jim Lane, portrayed with charisma by Clark Gable, and his trusty mechanic buddy Gunner Morris, played by the ever-capable Spencer Tracy. Their carefree existence takes a nosedive, quite literally, when Lane crosses paths with Ann Barton, brought to life by the effervescent Myrna Loy. Their meeting unfolds through the unconventional event of an emergency landing in the pasture of Ann’s family farm outside Wichita.
Ann Barton emerges as a quintessential Hawksian woman—gutsy, educated, sharp-tongued, and an unabashed lover of cheering loudly at baseball. Lane, embodying the aspirations of many, finds himself drawn to her, leading to mutual confusion and, eventually, a departure together in his airplane, offering a whimsical twist to the classic love story.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Lane’s reckless pursuit of thrill and competition results in his dismissal by Drake, the boss of the aviation company he tests for, portrayed by Lionel Barrymore. The trio of Gable, Loy, and Tracy finds themselves sharing a New York flat, setting the stage for a delightful blend of verbal jousting and camaraderie.
Gable’s character plans to fly an experimental, independently built plane in a race against the cheery rival Benson, compellingly played by Jean Louis Heydt and hired by Barrymore’s character. The storyline introduces a tragic element as Benson’s aspirations to take his family to Italy hang in the balance.
The film crescendos with a gripping race, a victorious Gable, and a fateful crash that propels the narrative into a poignant exploration of relationships, courage, and life’s tumultuous journey. “Test Pilot” stands out as a compelling specimen of its time, balancing formulaic elements with the trademark touch of Hawks, offering a study of intense, co-dependent relationships rooted in an existential lifestyle.
The characters’ personalities, conflicts, and the intricate bonds between them take center stage, overshadowing the aviation thrills that are, nevertheless, skillfully integrated. In an era where talk in an action film might be frowned upon, “Test Pilot” defies convention, presenting a cinematic experience where dialogue drives the narrative as much as the breathtaking airborne sequences.
This film emerges as one of the finest collaborations between Gable and Tracy, with Gable portraying a character seemingly dumber than usual, Tracy exuding heightened tension and conscientiousness, and Loy injecting a spirited dimension to the ensemble.
As the credits roll, “Test Pilot” leaves an indelible mark, with a stunning final crash scene involving a B-17 etching itself into the annals of cinematic history. A testament to the prowess of the leading cast and the skilled storytelling, this aviation classic remains an enduring gem for enthusiasts of romance, comedy, and high-flying thrills.
