Released: February 1942

Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Cast: James Cagney, Dennis Morgan, Brenda Marshall, Alan Hale, George Tobias, Reginald Gardiner, W.A.(Billy) Bishop, Reginald Denny, Russell Arms, Paul Cavanagh, and Clem Bevans as Sam ‘Store-Teeth’ Morrison.

Being Canadian, I’m a little biased when it comes to Captains of the Clouds. Released in 1942, it is one of several Warner Brothers films produced during World War 2 that showcased the Allied contributions to the European war. Films like Edge of Darkness, Passage to Marseilles, Uncertain Glory, and to a lesser extent Dive Bomber (recognizing the efforts of Americans flying for the R.A.F.), and Casablanca, focused on stories of the Norwegian resistance, the Free French, the French resistance, and the R.A.F. and R.A.F Eagle Squadron.  As far as I know, none of the other major Hollywood studios went to these lengths to feature the non-American war effort.

Captains of the Clouds can also boast being the first Hollywood film shot entirely in Canada. Near North Bay, and in Ottawa Ontario, and at the air force training bases at Trenton, Uplands and Jarvis.

James Cagney plays Brian MacLean (no relation), an undisciplined, irresponsible bush pilot in Canada’s north. MacLean doesn’t make any friends when he steals jobs from fellow bush pilots, Johnny Dutton (Dennis Morgan), Francis Patrick ‘Tiny’ Murphy (Alan Hale), and ‘Blimp’ Lebec (George Tobias). But he crosses the line when he tries to steal Johnny’s girl, Emily Foster (Brenda Marshall), after a blow to the head from a propeller.

As it turns out, Brian and Emily are the perfect couple. Brian the scammer, and Emily the floozie. But let’s not let romance get in the way. Brian, Johnny, Tiny, and Blimp become friends anyway, as they decide to get out of the bush flying racket and join the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Once the boys are in training, it’s propaganda at its most entertaining, and could only have been made in wartime. Filmed at actual flight training bases in Ontario, featuring actual trainees and R.C.A.F. personnel, giving audiences in 1942 a glimpse of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. And present-day audiences, a look back at the ‘greatest generation’ at work, with some Hollywood stars thrown in for good measure.

The film is loosely structured in two parts. The bush pilots in their natural habitat, and the bush pilots trying to do their part in the R.C.A.F. Though obvious, this works well. Bringing growth to the characters. In the beginning, Brian is somewhat loathsome, but by the end we admire him for his sacrifice.

By today’s standards some aspects of the film come across as naïve, the camaraderie, and romantic subplot are corny and seem forced. Though to the films credit the romantic plot is less than sentimental. Emily never really seems torn between the nice guy Johnny and bad boy Brian. She’d have both if the production code would allow it. But she picks the bad boy, exposing her as a phony. Mrs. Miniver she ain’t.

I do make an effort to keep films made during the war in perspective and context. Their purpose went beyond entertainment. They were crucial to boosting morale and recruitment, and yes, serve as propaganda. There was a war to win after all. Out of context, many of these films can be difficult to watch, for their racism, over the top patriotism, and inaccuracies brought forth by revelations of the post-war world. Fortunately, Captains of the Clouds is spared the worst of this.

The film celebrates the efforts of the R.C.A.F., Canada, and the Commonwealth to help destroy the Nazi menace in the most entertaining way possible. Showing the equally patriotic nature of Canada and Great Britain to an American audience through the gangster-like antics of James Cagney doesn’t get much cooler than that.

On its own, Captains of the Clouds is a curiosity. A both lesser Michael Curtiz and James Cagney film. But to this Canadian, it’s a fascinating look at a small portion of my country’s history. Using actual locations, military personnel, James Cagney as a bush pilot, and the one and only Billy Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED.

Captains of the Clouds is available on DVD and Blu-ray from the Warner Archive.