Stuart Walker, who directed almost nothing of value, did splendidly with this 1933 antiwar opus, which has plenty of action (some of it borrowed from "Wings" footage) and deeper-than-usual psychological insights for this genre. Fredric March, an American in a Brit World War I air unit, becomes a daredevil ace, and is increasingly repulsed by the death toll he engenders, to the point of madness. Meantime, his "observer" (he snaps pictures from the rear seat) Cary Grant relishes combat, and American compatriot Jack Oakie provides emotional ballast, until he's gunned down. Carole Lombard is also on hand, for two scenes, looking gorgeous and wearing quite a gown. The screenplay's unusually intelligent and despairing, but what really makes it work is March, at the top of his game. Watch him in a scene where a friend's young son asks for gruesome detail about what happens in combat, and see the anguish play across his face. A truly fine actor.
Review of The Eagle and the Hawk
