The Dawn Patrol (1930 film)

thumb The Dawn Patrol is a 1930 American film about a World War I ace who derides the leadership of his superior officer, but is soon promoted to squadron commander and learns harsh lessons about sending subordinates to their deaths. Directed by Howard Hawks. Written by Robert North. Hell Breaks in the Skies!  (taglines) Major Brand Officious overdressed brass hat! Orders, orders. Thinks the 59th can't do it, eh? Well, the 59th can do anything he can think up! It's a slaughterhouse, that's what it is, and I'm the executioner! I've got to tell him to take up new replacements again. He'll resent it. He'll just stand there looking holes clear through me, while I tell him. Then he'll say "Right". No, no the flight isn't back yet - you expect to send men out on a filthy job like that and have them back in no time at all! There's going to be no voluntary patrols. Don't you lads realise those boots are just a trick to get you up into the air? None of you are going to commit suicide by going out alone - you'll die soon enough! Lieut. Phipps I know it's a rotten job, Brand, but I shouldn't take it so seriously if I were you. Dialogue Field Sergeant: [examining damage to the plane] Hello! Dick Courtney: Shrapnel. Almost blew my plane over. Field Sergeant: Just 5 inches from your behind, sir. Dick Courtney: Yes, but what a difference 5 inches made to me. Major Brand: Listen to them out there, bluffing themselves. Pretending that death doesn't mean a thing to them. Trying to live by just the minute, the hour. pretending they don't care if they go up tomorrow and never come back. Lieut. Phipps: There's one poor fellow who doesn't pretend. Major Brand: Who's that? Lieut. Phipps: Hollister. He can't forget that his best friend went down in flames. I saw him out there a few minutes ago, staring, wondering what it's all about. I'm afraid he's got the wind up Brand, he'll never fit. Taglines Hell Breaks in the Skies! Greatest Air Epic Ever! Cast Richard Barthelmess — Dick Courtney Douglas Fairbanks Jr. — Douglas Scott Neil Hamilton — Major Brand Frank McHugh — Flaherty Clyde Cook — Bott James Finlayson — Field Sergeant Gardner James — Ralph Hollister William Janney — Gordon Scott Edmund Breon — Lieutenant Phipps External links 0020815 Category:1930 American films Category:World War I films Category:Films directed by Howard Hawks Category:Airplane films Category:Films whose writers won Best Story Academy Award