Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-04-11
RCAF Film,
Spectacular
AtMichigan
BY CHARLES GENTRY


JAMES CAGNEY scars back to
stardom on wings of the royal Ca.
madam Air Force in a spectacular
vehicle, Captains of the Clouds, :"
which opened at the Michigan yes.
terday.
It's been quite some time since
I'VE have heard from Cagney, who
has been having several cinematic
difficulties lately. so that we were
quite unprepared to have him pop
up in such an important role as
this wonderful technicolor tribute
offers.
While similar laurels have been
strewn in the paths of both Ameri.
can and English air forces. this Is
the first time the Canadian boys
have taken a bow in celluloid.
GIVEN FULL CREDIT
At last, but by no means least.
the RCAF gets full credit here in
one of the most exciting and col
orful aerial dramas we've seen.
Cagney, transforming fiier
and vagabond of the air, outsmarts
all the other bush pilots and
makes enemies in very happy.
so-lucky way.
His chief rivals, Dennis Morgan
and Alan Hale, are always after
him and feudins is sort of fun
until the boys realize that there
are more serious affairs in the
world than private enterprise.
After listening to one of Church.
Ills speeches, the boys all join up.
only 10 find that they are needed
as instructors, that they are too
old 10 serve as actual fighting
pilots.
DISAPPOINTED filters
Disappointed though they are,
they all adjust themselves to the
routine of the RCAF except Gag
ney who just can't get used to-
rules and the regime Of the air
force
He is eventually cashiered, after
two fragrant violations of orders.
Finally Cagney. as civilian pilot
OF a group Of bombers, gets "a
chance TO redeem himself. but not
until you have seen some of the,
most exciting air nianeuvers yet
screened
Actually filmed az Trenton,
Travis and other RCAF stations,
this film has an authentic flavor
and stirring quality that can't
help but impress YOU.
CAGNEY EXCELLENT
Csgney gives an excellent per-
Torrance. but somehow the actors
all seem just incidental 10 the real
idea Of training fiiers and manning
ships as quickly and as thoroughly
as possible.
The color photography is stun
ming and The wide-range aerial
shots clear and sharply done
Ailf ApiIHdtltOli HiN AhlNs liz /
Remarkable Andrew" is comedy
of homely truth and quiet humor.
William Holden has the leading
role OF an honest bookkeeper who
tries TO fight municipal graft.
JACKSON APPEARS
He's really licked before he
starts because all the big officials
are involved. but his hero, Andrew
jackson. comes out of the nine
teenth century 10 give him hand.
Brian Donlevy plays "Old Hick-
DRY" with great flourish. even
though he can only be seen by Mir.
Holden and the audience.
The rest of the characters think
that Holden is crazy. but by dint
of bringing in the shades OF some
other famous Americans. George
Washington. Benjamin Franklin.
Thomas Jefferson for his legal
aides. the boy wins his case.
GREAT SCENE
The courtroom scene is great ,
one and moving indeed is Holdens
speech on what democracy means
TO him. It's really classic.
Ellen Drew provides the neces-
sary romance. but II Is the per-
formances of Holden and Donlevy
that you'll remember.
In an unpretentious sort of way