Thundering Jets

Thundering Jets is a 1958 American drama film directed by Helmut Dantine, written by James Landis, and starring Rex Reason, Dick Foran, Audrey Dalton, Barry Coe, and Robert Dix.
Thundering Jets was released in May 1958, by 20th Century Fox.

Plot

At the United States Edwards [Air Force Base] Flight Test School, instructor wartime veteran Capt. Steve Morley resents "playing nursemaid to a bunch of glory jockeys." The new class includes Kurt Weber, who flew for Germany during World War II; Maj. Mike Geron ; show-off Capt. Murphy ; Lt. Jimmy Erskine ; and Lt. Bob Kiley.
Steve meets his sweetheart, Susan Blair, a secretary for Lt. Col. Spalding. Dissatisfied with his role, his pupils continue to have problems as he tries to stress that discipline is important. Both Susan and Steve's fellow flight instructors caution him that he is too harsh. Asking again for a transfer, Steve is denied.
On a training mission the next day, Murphy flies dangerously and is expelled for his irresponsible behavior. Fellow students are certain that Steve is to blame. Later Steve takes Mike up, but the engine flames out and Mike passes out. Steve seizes the controls and lands the aircraft safely, saving them both and the aircraft. Finally, his students accept Steve, realizing he is just trying to help them achieve their goal of becoming test pilots.

Cast

Rex Reason as Capt. Steve Morley
Dick Foran as Lt. Col. Henry Spalding
Audrey Dalton as Susan Blair
Barry Coe as Capt. "Cotton" Davis
Buck Class as Maj. Mike Geron
Robert Dix as Lt. Jimmy Erskine
Lee Farr as Capt. Murphy
Giuseppe Addobbati as Kurt Weber
Robert Conrad as Lt. Robert "Tiger Bob" Kiley
Maudie Prickett as Mrs. Blocher
Richard Monahan as Mechanic #1
Sid Melton as Sgt. Eddie Stone
William Kerwin as Gary
Gregg Palmer as Capt. Cory Dexter
Lionel Ames as Capt. "Andy" Anderson
Bill Bradley as Student #1
Production

Thundering Jets was filmed primarily at the United States Flight Test School at Edwards Air Force Base, employing the school's Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star jet training aircraft. The production used mainly stock footage with one T-33 on loan to the studio and was featured in the process shots.

Reception

Aviation film historian Stephen Pendo in Aviation in the Cinema, considered Thundering Jets a "... poor picture and has only routine aerial shots."

Explanatory notes

General and cited references

Orriss, Bruce. When Hollywood Ruled the Skies: The Post World War II Years. Hawthorne, California: Aero Associates..
Pendo, Stephen. Aviation in the Cinema. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press..