Original subtitles

Get up, you guys. Last stop.

Boy, I'll never learn how to sleep in one of these things.

Twelve hours straight through.

I haven't had such a good night's sleep since I left Burma. On a wrap.

Hey, mister, this is it.

Good morning.

When did we pick her up? Oh, she got on at Cincinnati during the night while you

were asleep.

What is she? She's a waft. What's a waft? They're girl ferry pilots.

They call them the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. Why, sure. It's a

improvement we made while you were overseas.

They are, Lieutenant.

Hiya, Joe.

B -17, huh? Didn't you take a B -24 the last time? Yeah.

Hey, Snapper, how about lending me a clean shirt?

My laundry's in India. I can't get it till next week. Look, I'm not letting

guys have any more stuff.

I got shirts in Panama, I got socks in Alaska, I got underwear all over the

South Pacific.

What am I wearing? Do I look crazy or something?

Yeah, your papers are all right. Sign down there.

Oh, illusions, huh? That's right, C -47.

Hmm, C -47.

Turn that into your squadron.

That'll be three days.

Oh, boy.

C -47.

Signed the book?

Yes, it's all right. May have been duplicates.

Yeah, that's good enough for me. Just sign it there.

Say, who's the CO here?

Colonel Brennan. Andy Brennan? That's right.

There you are. That's two days late. Yes, sir.

Where'd you go?

Australia. China.

Dutch Harbor. New Guinea.

Calcutta.

Egypt. South Africa.

Cincinnati.

South Africa.

How are you, beautiful?

Say, you've been doing all right lately. How many ships this month?

About six.

That's good.

You know, you haven't had any leave in a long while.

Maybe we could fix it for you. Oh, no thanks, Snapper. I'd rather keep flying.

That's too bad.

What do you mean?

Oh, I don't know.

Maybe you should have come home yesterday.

Oh, I couldn't, Snapper. There was storms all along the line. The passage

closed.

Well, we had storms here, too. Everybody was grounded. You know what that means?

No, what?

Nothing, only last night we had a party. Me and a bunch of guys. Me and Alex

Anderson and... Nadine Shannon?

That's right.

something, don't you?

What?

Paralysis.

Good morning, Miss Bromley. Have a nice trip?

Fine, thanks.

Hi, Dakota.

Anything new?

Oh, I just got a letter from my boy from Tantagora.

He's got his wings.

Last VO2.

Dakota speaking.

No. No, she's not here.

But, Dakota, I am here. It wasn't for you anyway.

Hasn't anyone called me since I... No call from Lieutenant Anderson.

Hello, Jill. How is everything in Cincinnati?

Okay. How'd you get back? Picked up a C -47 in Wichita. Well, here I go again.

Same thing every day.

Good morning, my little plum.

Oh, shut up. That Nadine, such charm.

Going to sleep all day? No, only a couple of hours. I want to catch the

compass class at 8 .30.

Happy dreams.

Hey, get those peepers open.

Certain brass hats who aren't convinced that women should accept equal

responsibility with men in the Air Forces.

Why, in six months' time, we've gone from primary trainers to multi -engine

ships.

Isn't that accepting responsibility?

Individually, the WACs have done splendidly. But the question is, how

act in an emergency as a group?

We have no way of knowing that. But I can vouch for that, Colonel Brennan.

I've seen an assorted group of girls...

Come from every walk of life and work together under conditions that haven't

been easy.

But we came in on those terms. We didn't ask to be spared anything.

We could have gone into defense plans or continued to be flying instructors or

done any number of war jobs.

But don't you see, we wanted to be part of the army.

We wanted to do men's work so that other pilots could be released for combat

duty.

Now, if we haven't accomplished that, what good are we?

You don't have to convince me, Mrs. Harper.

I have my orders, too.

All the floppy and weak -minded, shilly -shallying fence sinners.

What's eating you? Go ahead, go ahead, all of you. You've been knocked down and

trampled upon.

I couldn't sleep a wink last night thinking about it. Has anybody seen the

famous Virgie Alford soapbox?

Appreciate a little mouse, aren't you?

If I didn't go around screaming my head off, you'd still be puttering around in

pretty little trainers. But we have been given a chance.

Your sister Roberta and Colonel Brennan made the original plans for us to change

from one type of aircraft to another. My sister Roberta and Colonel Brennan. But

whose idea was it? Roberta's and Colonel Brennan's. Colonel Brennan. He's

supposed to be our friend, isn't he? He's supposed to have so much faith in

Then why aren't we militarized into the Army Air Forces like the other pilots?

We've been ferrying ships for six months doing the same job as the men. We're

still civilians.

But that isn't up to the CO. And besides, a couple of years ago, only a

of the men were ferrying ships.

We're only 25, Waps. We're just getting started.

And, Virgie, things can't happen overnight.

You don't even know you're a lot of forgotten women.

Why can't she remember that she's not on an international hookup anymore?

Roberta just forwarded your orders.

Rosemary, Nancy, Jane, and Connie, you're on standby. Better get over to

alert room.

Hey, wait!

I'll get her. The rest of you better even go to school. Quick.

Hey, Connie, you're on standby.

Huh? Turn it off.

You're on stand... You're on standby.

Oh, gee, that's... Well, maybe I'll be able to keep my date in Dallas.

Well, come on, get going. Hey, my robe. Where's the... Somebody's wiped my robe.

Oh, I'm going to be late.

Oh.

There must be at least 40 out in the anchorage. They weren't here yesterday.

wonder what's doing.

What about school this morning? Why all the rush on giving us direction time?

Yeah, they only use that for overseas hops.

New York's where we get off. Yeah.

Oh, Miss Van Cronk, please, have you seen Mrs. Harbour? I've got something to

tell her, and it's terribly important.

I know, Genevieve. We haven't seen her this morning.

Madeline, please give it back to me.

Writing love notes, huh?

Everything must be back on the beam again. Please give it to me.

I want to get a load of this.

Alex, don't you see, darling?

If it's Nadine you care about and not me, I've got to know where I stand.

I know we have... Jillian, I'm sorry.

I wouldn't butt into your affairs. I was only kidding.

You and Alex married?

Nobody knows?

Attention, please. Radio operator Adams, report to foreign operations.

Radio operator Adams, report to foreign operations.

Stop that. You're making me nervous.

Oh, wait a minute. You better do something about Jill Romilly. It looks

Alex has flown a coop. Oh, he has.

Well, that's all he'd be fit to fly if it weren't for Jill. You don't even know

what I'm talking about.

Listen, Jill taught Alex how to fly. She made him what he is today, and where's

his gratitude?

The West.

Tune in tomorrow.

May they all break their tender women's hearts and go back to their waffle hands

and sewing machines.

Let me tell you something. Every one of the girls had $500 soloing before they

even got into the West.

Roberta was flying when she was 16.

Jerry Vale was the greatest woman stunt flyer in the country.

Jill, Connie, and the Templetons were at air schools teaching dopes like you.

And there were boys in combat right now, knocking off zeros and measurements

that never got a cub up the ground until those girls came along and showed them

how.

Oh, wait a minute.

No woman could teach me to fly.

A woman taught you to walk, didn't she?

Roberta Harper, you have a long -distance call in Colonel Brennan's

The folder is gone.

Yeah, but I still don't get it. How do you know whether your station is ahead

you or behind you? Oh, look, I'll show you. Snapper, you hold it.

Get a bearing and you turn 90 degrees to it.

You mind when you get a change? There.

Well, gee, thanks, Snapper.

Increase your stations to the right. If they decrease, it's to the left.

Cincinnati. Your letter to Alex?

Attagirl. Now you're getting the right idea.

You're a swell dancer, Alex, but you should really learn how to run. How

teaching me?

All right. Put a nickel in the jukebox. That one.

Now, watch me.

Wait a minute. Don't take it so hard. I know how you feel.

Maybe it's not as bad as you think.

Why don't you try and forget it? Forget what?

What's the big brain talking about now?

You remember what I've been trying to tell you on the stairs about Alex and

Nadine? Well, what Jill ought to do is... What you ought to do is mind your

business.

Now, wait a minute. Take it easy.

Look, Jill.

It's not going to do any good running out on it.

Can't just sit here and watch.

Why don't you go over there and tell them what you just... That's just the

thing to do.

Will you be quiet?

I'm only trying to help. Jill has a problem.

And if you ask me, I think it's... Who's asking you? Who do you think you are?

Mr. Anthony?

Go on, Jill. Go over there and tell them exactly what you just said.

All right, I will. That's it.

Give me another nickel, Alex.

How about this number three? That pretty good? Perfect.

Hello, Alex.

Hello, Jill.

You really should have been with us last night, Jill.

A whole crowd of us got together and had a lot of fun.

You and Alex haven't done much rumba dancing, have you?

If you won't learn now, he certainly isn't going to after you're married.

But we're...

You two talk

like a pair of backward idiots.

It's as plain as the nose on your face.

What's plain about it? I suppose you've got a front room on the top floor in

Eisenhower's head.

Your attitude is completely kindergarten.

Now, look.

Here's the terrain.

That's enough.

Look out.

Mrs. Harper.

Lieutenant Brinker.

Lieutenant Brevoort.

Lieutenant Helms.

Mrs. Harper is squadron leader of the WAFs. Oh, yes?

I had the great honor to meet your husband, Major Hopper.

Well, Colonel Brennan told me about it.

How was he? I can only tell you that during the fight with the Dutch East

Indies, we needed more men just like him.

Oh, thank you.

I think he's pretty nice, too.

Hasn't anyone around here got any imagination?

Here's Spain, here's the Pyrenees, and there's the Rock of Gibraltar. Your

sister just came in.

It's perfectly simple. All you've got to do is look at Chapter 6 in my book.

I think you gentlemen would be interested to see how we handle

I'll see you on the line, Mrs. Harper. Thank you, Colonel. Goodbye, gentlemen.

Goodbye. And that article was syndicated all over the country. And later on,

when I was in Florida, I found that... Excuse me. May I speak to you a moment?

Good night.

Someone was looking for you. Yes, I know. I got the message.

Virgie, when are you going to grow up?

For all the places you've been and everything you've done, it seems to me

know better than to act like a cheap little show -off.

Was I? Yes, you were.

We're supposed to be inconspicuous.

There are a lot of people around this base just boiling for the chance to say

that women don't belong here.

I don't care what they say.

I came here to ferry ships and not to pour out tea in a drawing room. Just a

minute.

Is it asking too much to want you to behave like a ferry pilot and a lady?

You know, Ma, sometimes you can be very annoying.

Well, apparently not often enough.

Attention, please.

The following pilots will report to control.

Civilian pilots Rosemary Keene, Nancy Edwards, Jane Carr, Constance Foley.

Nancy, stop by operations for a minute, will you? Mrs. Hope, will you do

something for me? Yes, Jane. Call Dan and tell him I can't keep that date. All

right. Same number? Yes, same number. Okay.

Ensign John Peters.

That's right.

And keep trying, operator.

192 from Army 656 ready for takeoff. Army 656, your flight plan has been

approved. Cleared for takeoff.

They look very much at ease for the first official trip in a C -47.

I wouldn't dare look excited, but they are.

I remember how I felt when I flew my first one.

That should be General Wade's plane.

He'd better get out there.

Why don't you join us? You haven't seen General Wade since the laps were

organized. Thanks, I better not. I'm expecting one of the girls in. All

Congratulations, sir. You really greased in.

Oh, don't congratulate me, Colonel.

I was only the co -pilot.

There's the pilot.

Those girls are certainly forging ahead.

Well, one swallow doesn't make a summer.

Jerry!

Jerry, how was the trip?

All right. Well, I had no idea you'd be coming in with General Wade.

Well, the General was in a hurry. We were both going the same way, and he

offered to be my co -pilot.

Roberta, what time have you?

10 .30.

Jerry, I've got great news for you. I've just found out that all the girls

passed their instrument test.

And since you were the first to get your rating, I thought you ought to be the

first to know.

It's fine.

It's fine?

Well, Jerry, think of it.

It means that one of these days you might be making an overseas trip.

Maybe.

Hello, Jerry.

Hi. Hey, how's the general? Do any backseat driving?

See you today, Jerry.

Jerry, how about some coffee? Coffee?

Uh -huh.

Roberta, what time is it?

Just 11 o 'clock.

We hurry up, we make... Stop, Roberta. My watch stopped.

Jerry, what's wrong?

Nothing, nothing. My watch just stopped, that's all.

But it can't be that important.

What is it that upsets you so?

It stopped that day, too. What day?

Well, Roberta...

Go on.

My watch hasn't stopped since the day Dad and the boys crashed at the

Minneapolis air meet.

I was late.

I didn't get to the field on time. That's why they were killed.

Dad and Don and Pete had to go up without me.

Had to try to make up for my not being there.

With three ships instead of four.

Missing their queues and crashing.

That's how the flying veils ended, Roberta.

I got to the field in time to see them come down.

In flames, Roberta.

I watched them burn.

Jerry, stop thinking about it.

It happened, but it's over. It's all finished. Everything's all right now.

No. No, it isn't.

I should have been with them, Roberta.

I'm living on borrowed time.

I haven't even a prayer.

There's one thing I don't understand.

If you feel this way about it, Jerry, why did you bother to come back that

in Washington?

You have all received telegrams from the commanding general of the Army Air

Forces. Now, you have received those telegrams because you meet the high

requirements that are necessary for the first group of women pilots to be

accepted by the Air Transport Command.

We will be known as the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron and will be

to the Ferrying Division.

so that we may release men for combat duty.

Well, a minute. We'll give each one of you one of these application blanks, and

we'll do filling in just as quickly as possible, and then bring it up here to

me.

Can I list my ex -husband as a dependent? Boy, wait until my family

this. They'll be more thrilled than I am. My brother joined the Air Corps last

week. What a kick he'll get out of this. Now my whole family's in.

Bob's in the Navy, Bill's a Marine, and I'll be attached to the Air Force. My

dad really put me up to this. He said, girl or no girl, we'll have a pilot in

the family, and that's the reason why.

Now get off the street. Get a hold of your chest.

Oh, excuse me. Come on now. Come here, good guy. Come on, you don't want the

to get you. You don't want to get pinched, do you? Boy,

has he got a snoot. It's dreadful disgracing his uniform like that.

If they can't trust him, there oughtn't to be any furloughs. Let's find Jim.

Jim Lannigan.

Jim, get a hold of yourself.

Let's get him in the cab. Come on, pal. I'll take you someplace where you can

sleep at all. Have to find Jim.

Jim Lannigan.

But he hasn't been drinking. Oh, look, lady, we... Hey, I think she's got

something there, Harry. What's wrong with you, chum?

What'll come out?

He must have run away from the naval hospital.

Oh, let me take him, please.

I'll look after him.

Where are the planes coming?

Take it easy, pal.

Will you take us there?

Yeah, sure.

Jim.

I have to find Jim Spive's home.

Oh, don't worry about it.

I'd like to take care of it, if I may.

Skip it, mister.

This is on the house.

You'll go to sleep now.

I don't know how to thank you, Miss Vale.

He was one of the first on the beach, you know.

When there weren't enough guns and...

Not enough ammunition.

Most of all, not enough planes.

Good night, Carl.

We'll find Jim Lannigan.

We'll bring him planes.

And that's the reason I came back that night, Roberta.

To ferry ships.

I ferried 99.

Well, you might as well know about it.

I'm just about through with flying.

Aren't you forgetting about Carl?

But there's something you don't understand, Roberta. All I understand is

must deliver ships.

So far, we've been doing pretty well.

Now, you, Wilhelmine, and B .J. are scheduled for transition to B -17.

Wilhelmine has made 100 deliveries, and B .J.'s done 101.

Right now, you've got top score with 105.

105?

But, Roberta... Roberta, look.

I've marked them all down, every single one.

100 ships to be delivered. 99 of them have crossed off.

The next one is 100.

A good round number.

Well, according to my records, your good round number came up about two weeks

ago.

Two weeks ago?

Yeah.

You mean the C -47 to Ontario was my 100th ship? Well, that's what it says in

the logbook right there, see?

I don't understand.

I don't see how.

I do.

You just can't count.

How about that coffee, huh?

Jerry, how about that coffee?

Coffee?

I'll meet you in the day room in five minutes. All right.

Hey, what are you doing here? Men are allowed.

Oh, take it easy, take it easy.

I'm guarded.

Bring in the equipment. Open it up.

Where's Wilhelmina? She's in conference. What's that stuff?

This is not stuff.

Wilhelmina asked me to bring it. She said as long as you were going to be

briefed on it, I might as well come over and demonstrate.

What is it, a sleeping bag?

That is army equipment, type A2. And it's a matter of life or death.

What's so funny about that?

This is better known as the life raft or emergency equipment.

And I'll show you how it works.

It's a life raft.

Not really.

Boards and everything.

How would you like to be...

On the high season, one of these things for 23 days, huh? Yeah, with Captain

Clark Gable.

What do you do about food?

Ah, food. That's all taken care of.

Here's all the food you could possibly need. Just get a load of those

But suppose you don't have food.

You run out of food? Well, now, look, you're just finding an island. Look

and see what the birds and the monkeys eat.

What's good enough for the birds and the monkeys? Is good enough for you.

What if you're on a rough sea and the boat turns over? Now, you know, I was

hoping you'd ask me that. Now, look, I'll demonstrate.

Stand back, ladies.

Stand back.

Now, look.

I'll lie down just like I'm in the water. You see what I mean?

Turn it over on top.

Hurry up. It can't hurt you. It's light.

Boat's right along. Upside down. We'll go the other way.

That's it. You see, you just keep right on kicking your feet and sailing. Just

go right along like shooting a fish in a rain barrel. Just sit. There's nothing

to it.

There you go. Right along.

You know what I mean?

I could keep on going like this for 50 miles.

I've gone about five already.

Now, you see, girls, there's really nothing to it.

And another thing, if you're out in the tropics, you never have to worry about

being in that bright sun. You're in the shade, cool, comfortable. Just keep

yourself. Yep.

What's the matter, Snapper? Forced landing?

No, you see, I was... No, you see, I was just demonstrating to the girls.

What girls?

Well, I was telling them about the sailing, all your food, I mean, and life

right there. It's a terrific piece of stuff. I mean, you have plenty to eat

there. I mean, you've got the sail and everything.

paid as much attention to alex as she does to those irresistible b -17s i

have had some competition what about her feelings feelings she hasn't got any

she spends all her time grabbing every available trip she's nothing but a human

automatic pilot don't you think you've said enough i haven't even started

you haven't got any right to pin a hands -off sign on alex you're not married to

him

Isn't there enough fighting going on in this world without you two adding to it?

Hooray. Three cheers for Roberta. You can skip that, Virgie.

I'm sorry, Roberta.

Mary Frances, you, Anne, and Emily go down to control and pick up your orders.

Oh, good. That lets me out. I've got a date. You've got a date, all right.

You're taking a B .T. to Boston.

But I'm expecting some people to go on. Get going.

Get going.

Excuse me, girls.

Thanks. Oh, Roberta. Yeah?

Don't forget your shots.

I've already had mine. In case you want me, I'll be down at control. I might see

you on the line later.

What's up, Roberta? They told us to report to control off as soon as we

Yes, that's right. You're to pick up further orders and then get back here as

quickly as you can.

Mary Frances, you know that you're going to the factory until your ship is

adjusted. Then fly to Newton Field for a performance check -up. Yes, I know.

Okay.

Bertie, when you get to the Boston airport, no side trips.

Okay, Major.

I said I should take it. Is that all right? Well, you just got back from a

I know, but I'm the only one of the girls who's checked out on the people.

Okay,

Roberta. All right, come ahead.

Thanks a lot for your fitness ride. No, thanks.

Oh, it tilted.

Come back, Alex.

Sorry, I was just thinking it was up to me to offer Jill some sort of an

explanation.

Business is bad as she thinks it is.

She's entitled to know what it's all about.

Maybe when she gets back to Thea, we'll have it all out.

What's the matter, Alex?

You're acting like a morgue. Yeah.

It's funny, I... Somehow I feel like one.

It just sort of came over me.

Come on, Alex, snap out of it.

Nadine, look, I might just as well tell you now.

Jill and I didn't get along very well together, and that didn't seem to work

out.

She's my wife.

Attention, please.

Nadine Shannon reports to West Office.

Nadine Shannon reports to Squadron Leader immediately.

You've noticed all those coming in this morning, haven't you?

Yes, yes, I have.

And all the strange pilots?

That's right.

General Wade left here a little while ago.

He left me with instructions to prepare for a big push.

Will the WAFs be included?

Well, excuse me.

Hello? Yes?

Expect a time of arrival, 9 .08?

I see.

Well, put them in with the 8th Squadron.

Thank you.

I think you can act on the supposition, Mrs. Harper, that the WAFs will be

included. Actually, I can't confirm it one way or another.

Why not?

Believe me, Colonel Brennan, I feel confident that the WAFs could rise to

emergency.

That under any condition, they'd belong with the other squadrons of the field.

Now, if there is a big push, I know you could count on them.

Just look at the record.

I will.

Is there anything else?

No, thank you, Mrs. Harper. I think that'll be all.

Thank you.

Hello?

There's a ship down? Who?

Is she hurt?

Dead.

Engine trouble, eh?

Oh, I see.

Well, those facts will have to be assembled for headquarters.

Right.

Who was it?

Jill Romilly.

How did it happen?

It happened somewhere north of here, over a farm near Northville. The farmer

her come down.

Said the engine sounded peculiar, but there'll be an investigation.

Jill Romney was the hardest -working pilot we had.

She would have been ready for what's coming up.

You could have counted on her, Colonel Brennan. I know you could have.

They told me at the office I'd find you here.

Let's walk, huh?

What is it, Roberta? What have I done?

Up until about a month ago, you hadn't done anything.

You were doing very well.

But since then, your deliveries have been slow. And there was that one

unauthorized stop at Miami. I couldn't help that. The weather was bad.

With that tag?

Oh, look, Nadine.

Not only is your flying record shot, but you're giving all of your time and

attention to pilots instead of ships.

Including Alex Anderson.

Roberta, did you know that Alex and Jill were married? Did you know that Jill

just crashed an hour ago?

She was killed, Nadine.

No.

But I didn't know they were married. I didn't know. If you stuck to your job,

you wouldn't have been involved in it.

Now, there's nothing personal in this, but we've lost a good pilot.

And every good pilot counts if we're going to grow from a handful to

That's why I can't afford to have one pilot. Roberta.

Maybe I didn't want to be the kind of wife who had gasoline in her veins

of blood.

Maybe I wanted to have fun. Maybe I was entitled to any more fun than Jill was.

Give me another chance, Roberta.

You won't be sorry.

A guy in combat doesn't give a hoot about who's ferrying a ship as long as

gets it when he needs it.

I don't care whether you or the other girls don't want any part of me, and you

probably won't.

But I'll ferry two ships where before I used to ferry one.

One for me and one for her.

You can't wash me out, Roberta.

I didn't say I was going to.

But I can't wash you out when I need every good pilot I can get.

And you're going to be a good pilot.

Yes.

I will.

Too bad about that Romilly kid.

I guess the girls are taking it pretty hard.

Yeah. I think I'll go over and cheer him up a little.

Hello, ladies.

And what is that?

It's for Russia.

It looks big enough.

We'll get on with seven. You mean eight.

Thanks, Napper. Yeah, fine. I think that's enough of it.

time I saw Johnny, he said to me, oh, that's Miss Harper.

Miss Harper, hey, what's up?

Miss Harper.

Miss Harper, I don't mean to bother you, but it's so important.

Yes, Genevieve, what is it?

Well, I haven't had any time off in months, and all I want is a couple of

so I can go to New York and... Attention, please.

All pilots will remain at the post until further orders. All leaves canceled.

I don't want to get married.

No one will leave the airbase without special permission.

No exceptions.

Here. Would you like a Coke?

Yeah, with lemon.

First squadron report to foreign operations.

First squadron report to foreign operations.

All squadrons when called will report to foreign operations.

All squadrons when called will report to foreign operations.

And this is your destination.

The coral reef called Easy Queen.

Radio frequencies, recognition procedure, and weather information will

in your route book.

The sooner you get going, the better, because you'll have to clear the field

the rest of the squadrons.

That's all, and good luck.

They just brought these back. We'll have to take care of them.

Yes, I know.

You better go ahead with those reports, Hilda.

Where did Virgie clear to?

Dallas.

And Emily and Ann?

They're going to make Denver tonight.

Have you got a clearance for Mary Frances?

Yes. She'll get to Sacramento.

Smithfield Radio from Army 439.

Over Smithfield at 1 -4 from base en route to Seattle.

Altitude 4 ,000. Over.

Army 4 -3 -9 from Smithfield Radio.

Roger. Out.

There it is.

It's all there.

There it is.

The house that I was born in.

The public library.

In the little ice cream parlor where we used to go for sodas in the summer.

And in the fall, the air was sharp with frost and thick with the smoke of leaves

burning.

I went to school down there.

Content school.

We missed your singing, Mary Frances.

The word nearly enough, Alton. I'm sorry, Sister Rose. I must have been...

Dreaming.

Don't be ashamed of it, Mary Frances.

It's been said that the only practical people are dreamers.

I should have turned back at Pearson Field instead of bucking that headwind

the bad weather.

But I was almost out of gas and, well, there you are.

I hope I didn't tear up too much of your shrubbery out there.

I'm sure you didn't.

Children, children, bus and stairs.

That's all right, sister, I don't mind.

Oh, thank you.

I can't make up my mind if I dreamed it or if it really happened.

I'm sure Mrs. Harper is very tired and wants to go to sleep.

Put the tray down, dear.

Good night.

Good night.

Run along.

Goodbye, girls. Bye.

Bye. Come along, Mary Frances. Yes, sister. Come along.

Come along, Mary Frances.

Yes, sister.

I wonder... I mean, I wonder if... If it would be possible to... I'm sorry.

I'd better go.

Good night.

Bye, Frances.

I'm not really tired.

Would you like to stay and visit with me for a while?

Oh, yes.

Come here and sit down.

Now, what is it? What did you want to say?

Oh,

you want to fly too, is that it?

Oh, I do.

So much, I...

I can't put it into words, but... I could never put it into words either.

But someone else has.

This is the act men dreamed, but did not know by living counterpart.

These are the figures in your Saturn ring, held as you roll to fling whirls

spirals across the sky.

To soar into the blind white emptiness of cloud.

This is the field on which you leave no mark.

This is a singer crying to the lark.

This is the field on which you leave no mark.

This is a singer crying to the lark.

By the way, have you worked out that navigation problem?

No, you're funny, Mario.

Can we get it? That means yes, I did. How do we know where we're going?

Very good.

Women's Auxiliary Carrying Squadron report to foreign operations.

All left, report to foreign operations.

As you see, you'll be on the longest flight ever attempted by pursuits with

a lead ship to guide them.

Mrs. Harper and her co -pilot will be responsible for seeing that you get

through.

It is of the utmost importance that the rest of you stick to your lead ship.

You'll leave your home base, cross the international date line, and arrive at

the coral reef called Easy Queen.

It's a half mile wide, and you'll have to land on it.

The envelopes you've just received contain the secret approach to the

must not be opened until you're en route.

Earlier in the day, your squadron leader was told the meaning of this push.

Will you explain it, please, Mrs. Harper?

Well, as I understand it...

Right now, all up and down the coast, at every airfield, thousands of ships are

leaving for tiny concealed bases like ours somewhere in the Pacific.

Now, we're a link in the great chain of a surprise attack that'll stretch from

Honolulu to New Guinea.

This is our answer to Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal and the Solomons.

As women and pilots, we ought to be doubly grateful for this.

As pilots, because we're considered good enough to make the flight.

And as women, because...

Well, many of us have men out there who are waiting for the ships that we'll

bring them.

I think that's about all.

Your squadron will be ready for instantaneous orders as soon as Mary

Wright and Virginia Alford return to the field.

That's all.

Yes?

Good. What about Virgie? She's due to land at 06.

She should be over destination now.

Thank you.

We've got the P -38s to go. Looks like you'll get one of them. Good.

Hello, Ms. Offit.

Hello, Matt. How are you?

Long time.

Gosh, I'm glad to see you. I thought you were in Europe. I was. I thought I'd

come back and teach you how to fly.

The same old Miss Alfred.

How's Mrs. Harper? Oh, she's fine.

That's swell.

Oh, by the way, I saw Major Harper's name in the paper the other day. They

he's been doing a lot of great flying.

Nothing but heroes in our family, Mac.

Things certainly look a lot different since the old days. Yeah, there's been

plenty of changes since the Air Force moved in.

I suppose you're looking for the old Harper Flying School, huh? Yes.

Well, they moved it over to the south end of the field. They got a lot of junk

stored in there now.

Dad McCormick, you're wanted in the number one hangar. That's me.

Excuse me, Miss Elford.

Don't forget to give your sister my best regards. Okay, Max. So long.

So long.

I thought you were in New York. New York.

I've come for your blessing.

I'm going to be married tonight.

Now, wait a minute. Take it easy. I've only known him a week, but it's Frank

Garrison. You know, his father's head of Garrison Publications, and Frank's been

given charge of the Paris office, and we're picking up a plane in Rome, and...

Look, look.

Did you ever see anything like them?

They're very pretty, but where is he?

Oh, last -minute details. You know, he's meeting me here.

Virgie, do you know what you're doing?

You're not going on a weekend. You're getting married.

It's going to be a career.

Another?

You've had four that I know of in the last three years.

You've been a glamour girl, an actress. Now, Roberta, when are you going to stop

playing Ma?

Oh, Virgie, you don't know anything about this guy. For all you know, he may

a cad or a scoundrel.

So I'm a scoundrel, am I?

Hello.

I'm Roberta.

I'm awfully happy to know you.

I hope you don't think we're being too sudden, but I want to make your sister

very happy.

Yes, I think you will.

I only hope Virgie has the same ideas. The passport's already done. All ship

-shaped. And I've just put down a deposit on 200 acres in Bucks County.

200 acres of what?

Farmland.

Oh.

Look, I know you two want to get married right away, but...

Well, after all, it is New Year's Eve, and I'm waiting to hear from Tommy now.

Why don't we all have dinner together, and then you can decide whether you

really want to marry into this crazy family of ours.

Really, Roberta?

Give Sister Roberta goodbye.

Oh, that's probably Tommy now. Come on inside and wait, huh?

And don't you really drop this thing off with me.

Hello?

Oh, yes, hello, darling.

I've been waiting for you.

How are you?

Well, that's good.

Listen, darling, what do you think? Virgie's here.

Yes, with a friend of hers, Frank Garrison.

Oh, he's awfully nice. You'll meet him.

Listen, how about the four of us spending New Year's Eve together?

What, darling?

Where?

The new house.

Well, why do you want me to meet you there?

But the house isn't finished.

Oh, just the two of us.

Yes, sir.

Oh, right here, sir.

Oh, uh... Miss,

your ship's ready. Thanks. Was anybody asking for me?

There was a fellow with a camera. Yes? But they took it away from him. Oh.

Tucson Radio from Army 804.

I pass Tucson at 268 ,000. My destination is Army 804. This is Tucson

Radio. Stand by. Another ship is calling.

Go ahead, Army 731.

Tucson Radio, this is Army 731.

Request permission to land at Tucson.

Over. Army 731, this is Tucson Radio.

Permission to land denied by base operations officer.

Field is closed to traffic. Review is being held.

Captain Strong, Stinger Service Cross.

Congratulations, Captain. Thank you, sir.

Miss Alford, what happened?

I don't know. I had some trouble with the oil pressure, so I had to land, and

then the landing gear jammed, and however, the WAFs are equipped to handle

emergency. Too bad those brass hats don't give us a chance. What do you

Well, if you really want to know... Hold it, Miss Alford.

speaks for itself, I think, Mrs. Harper.

Your sister made a hot landing and badly damaged the ship just when General

Yates was about to decorate a hero of the Solomon's campaign.

She apparently stole the limelight very effectively.

Well, you don't think she did that on purpose.

I've read your sister's book, too.

And if I remember correctly, a similar incident happened at a field near

Marseille when General Giraud was present.

The report is that she's returning by train. She ought to be back tomorrow.

You'll have Virgie's resignation tomorrow, too, Colonel Brennan.

Any further orders for the WAFs?

Right now, I don't know.

But it's my opinion that General Wade will feel that they've covered

with enough glory for the time being.

Sure these folks won't buy? Thank you.

You're Virginia Alford, aren't you?

Yes, that's right. I read your book.

I didn't mean to stare like that. You see, at first I thought I knew you, and

then I suddenly realized it was because I'd seen your picture in the paper.

I made exactly the same mistake the first time I saw Winston Churchill.

Oh, what happened? Oh, I really put my foot in it. I rushed up to him and I

said, hello, how have you been?

What did he say?

Fine, and you?

Oh,

you've given up a great deal to go in the service.

How do you feel about it?

I mean, do you feel that women in uniform are doing a good job? I

The only trouble is they aren't giving us enough to do. Why, if... Don't get me

started on that.

I know just what you mean.

When I think what those boys are going through, it seems to me that we're doing

such a little bit to...

What are you doing here?

Frank, what are you doing here?

I'm a deserter, that's all.

I quit before I even got into action.

What do you want me to do, stand up and take a bow?

Do you want to start a riot in here? The lady knows me.

What do you?

Rome, Paris, London, and Bucharest.

You haven't forgotten Bucharest, have you, Virgie?

That's where you deserted.

You're no desertion. One who abandons the wine of duty.

I... I beg your pardon.

Frank! Frank!

Have you got the list of pilots coming in?

One of the waifs? Yes, Mary Frances Wright.

She had a priority ship and they've given her an instrument of clearance.

When do you expect her?

She'll be in tonight.

Thanks so much.

What is it, Snapper?

Virgie's back.

Thank you.

Virgie, if you made a hot landing... Oh, drop it, will you?

That was yesterday. That was years ago.

Roberta, I thought I'd never get here.

I don't know why you bothered to come back at all.

There's some coffee in the PX for you girls. Go get it, will you?

Look, Roberta. Excuse me, Mrs. Harper.

Yes, Hilda. We just had a report on Mary Frances. Oh? She's on her way back, but

has been delayed because of bad weather. All right, thanks.

All right, what's your version of it?

What are you talking about?

Your amusing little adventure at Tucson Field.

Just what did you have in mind?

Not that I'd be expected to appreciate your antics. Leave me alone, please.

Now, look, Virgie.

I'm not enjoying this any more than you are. Tell you, I don't want to talk

about it.

Well, I'm afraid you haven't a choice in that matter. Look, Roberta, I did it on

purpose. It was a crazy, egomaniac stunt. Just the sort of thing I'm always

doing.

And I'm sorry.

Horribly sorry.

What's the matter?

I saw Frank on the train.

For the first time since I left him.

He was one of a group of army deserters on their way to Leavenworth.

He wouldn't even look at me.

Frank, a deserter.

You should have seen him.

Handcuffed to an MP.

You were right, Roberta.

I wasn't in love with him.

But he was in love with me when I walked out on him in Bucharest.

He just sat there looking ashamed of me.

But all he said was, you aren't leaving me with very much, Virgin.

You see, good, bad, and different, I was the only thing he had.

And when I left him flat, there wasn't anything.

This isn't any credit to me, but he used to like to sort of lean on me like a...

like a kid.

When he went in the army, there wasn't anybody back home rooting for him,

telling him what a great guy he was.

He couldn't fight because he didn't think he had anything to fight with.

How could he when his own wife called him a failure?

You know something, Duchess?

I think there's a chance for you yet.

I've got to make him feel it's going to be as long for me as it is for him until

he gets out.

Roberta, people can change, can't they?

Yes, they can.

Do you believe I can change?

Yes, I do.

But the worst part of it is, Virgie, you're just a little bit too late.

Too late?

I'm washing you out.

If I don't, they will, and it's better for the wafts this way.

Oh, but...

What about me?

What's going to happen to me?

It doesn't matter what happens to you.

Don't you see? If it has nothing to do with the war, it doesn't matter what

happens to anyone personally.

We've all got to take a rain check on the future.

We've all got to wait because the war can't.

This just came for you, Mrs. Hartler, of the TWX from Washington. Thanks,

Heather.

I know what you say is true.

Of course it is.

But it's going to be pretty hard on me just the same.

Since I saw Frank on the train, I've... I've been making plans and... And now

what am I going to do?

Roberta, what am I going to...

Roberta, I...

Hello,

darling.

Surprised?

One of the boys got the bright idea that maybe you'd like this better than a

letter. So, here I am in San Francisco and there you are in Boston.

It's January 1937.

A month we'll always remember.

A year the world will, I think.

Maybe the things I want to talk to you about aren't important enough to lock in

a vault on the Smithsonian Institute.

But they're our personal history.

A record we'll want to keep for our future.

Let's start with December 31st.

Darling, mark that one down.

It was a New Year's date.

That's important to a couple of people in love.

You were waiting for me in our new home, the home we'd never lived in.

I knew you were wondering why I'd asked you to meet me there.

I thought you'd never get me.

Happy New Year, darling. Happy New Year. And many, many more to both of us.

Good wife, I bear the magic potion that wards off warts, winds, and witches.

I'll bet you didn't bring any glasses.

You're a genius.

Tally. Yes?

You look beautiful tonight.

Your favorite dress, remember?

Well, that's the dress I fell in love with.

Hurry up, will you?

The Harper Med House.

Of course, we couldn't buy a new house that was new to begin with. We had to

an old one and try to make it look new.

But you love it, don't you, darling?

Yes. So do I.

Here. To the Harper Med House.

Roberta. This is our home, isn't it?

Why, of course, darling.

I mean, we've done all our planning here, all our living in the future.

It's going to be...

Well, it's going to be a wonderful future.

Tommy, when are we going to move in?

Come on over here and sit down.

I want to tell you why we can't move in. Not just yet.

All right, there.

Now, which is your best shoulder? They're both good.

Oh, my God.

Now tell me, is it because the lights aren't on and the furnace isn't in and

furniture? No, there's only one reason.

What is it?

You know I can take it.

Anything and wonderfully, Roberta.

Do you know that if you lived here in this house 217 years ago when it was

they'd have been after you?

Why? Well, women who went flying around in those days were condemned as witches.

Broomsticks didn't have liquid -cooled motors in those days, did they? Goody

evil I, Harper, the best darn pilot I know. And you're the best I know.

Greenlaw thinks I'll do.

Greenlaw? Yes, Chenault's second in command.

I had a letter from him today.

They need pilots in China.

I said you were the best I know.

Don't you see, darling, if China needs help now and we give it to her, we may

helping ourselves later on.

You always were a smart man, Tommy.

No, not smart.

I like what we stand for.

You know...

In a way, I'll be fighting for this house. Of course you will.

This is going to be a lovely house to live in. One of these days.

When do you leave?

Tomorrow.

Final?

That's up to you.

Then it's final.

I knew you'd say that, Roberta.

You know, you're going to have your hands full, what with the school and

everything. I'll do my best.

Now that Virgie's gone and you'll be going away.

It's not just us, Roberta.

We can't live here in our place knowing... I know, I know. Don't say

Tommy. Yes, sweetheart.

Women used to sit here years ago and watch for ships to come into that

didn't they?

Generations of women.

That's what they say, darling.

They'd watch for a long time.

Months, even years maybe.

Sometimes they almost gave up hope.

But then finally the men would come back.

Yes, the men would come back.

Believe me, darling, they do come back.

And any time you don't believe it, whenever there's any doubt at all, play

over. Listen to it.

I'll be back, darling.

I'll be seeing you.

Have Major McNabb report to me right away. Yes, sir.

We should be able to finish the job tomorrow.

About the WAFs, General. In view of the previous record, don't you think your

order's a little too drastic? I'm not taking any chances.

Virginia Alford told the press the WAFs were unfairly treated and asked for an

investigation. And I'm afraid she'll get one. I see what you mean.

Get me Mrs. Harper at once.

Right away, sir.

We've been waiting a long time for this. All we need now is our orders. Yeah,

but when are they going to call us? Soon, I hope. The sitting around waiting

gives me the jitters. The 20th squadron left this afternoon.

Bound to be us tomorrow.

Oh, BJ, will you see that every girl with confidential radio equipment draws

sidearms? Right.

This is it.

WAF's B .O .Q., Maddie and Shannon speaking.

Mrs. Harper?

Roberta.

Roberta Harper.

Yes, Colonel Brennan.

Yes, I understand.

Any further orders?

Yes, very well.

Yes, I'll tell them.

What's wrong?

We've been cancelled out of the big push.

Cancelled? You mean we're not going?

He says he'll probably have domestic orders for us tomorrow.

Domestic orders?

That means we'll be in those Maytech Messerschmitts for the rest of the war.

The CO had nothing to do with it. The orders came from General Wade. Maybe she

is your sister, but I'd like to get my hands on her.

I'm sorry, girls.

I feel worse for her than I do for any of us.

The whole darn shooting match has been her baby, and look what they've done to

it.

Leave Roberta alone.

I'm not going to see Roberta.

So you're running out. I should have known.

I'm not running out.

I've been kicked out.

Kicked out?

I suppose you're going to say it's about time, too.

You ask me, it's a little too late.

What do you mean?

We've been cancelled out of the big push. We're not going.

Because of me?

Yes, because of you.

They just told Roberta.

You should have seen your sister standing there. You could look right

her and see her heart break.

I'm sorry.

You're sorry.

A lot of good that'll do.

Don't you see, Colonel Brennan? It's been me against everybody else.

I didn't belong with the WAFs in the first place. The others didn't join

they thought it was going to be glamorous.

I did.

Glamorous. What's glamorous about sitting up all night in a jam -packed

airliner? Eating when you can.

Sleeping when you can.

Because you're liable to be yanked out of another flight when you just come

from one.

Delivering ships on the nose. Learning as fast as you can. Taking everything

they can give you and asking for more.

Is that so, Miss Alfred? It is, Colonel Brennan. You'll know it is.

You can't tell me differently, because you stood in back of them all the time.

But it isn't up to me, Miss Alfred.

Colonel Brennan, I want you to relieve me of my command. It's my resignation.

But it's obvious that the WAFs were grounded because of me.

There's no question about that. I'm responsible for the WAFs.

Apparently my leadership has been at fault. Oh, no, that isn't so.

Well, they mustn't suffer for that.

There's only one thing that really counts, and that is that the WAFs be

to make this flight.

Mrs. Harper, if you're acting on an impulse... I'm not, Colonel Brennan.

I've thought it over very carefully.

I want the WAFs to go up tonight.

And I'll appreciate it if you put that through its proper channels just as

quickly as possible.

Do you think that brass hat, Wade, is going to pay any attention to Colonel

Brennan or your puny little resignation? I don't want to discuss it. I think I

understand. Well, I'm not going to let things stay the way they are. I'm going

to Washington if I have to. Now, just a minute.

You stay out of this.

You've done enough things already that have only caused trouble for yourself

everybody else around you.

Now, do me one favor, will you please, and stay out of this.

Are you still giving me orders?

Yes, if you want to put it that way, I am.

So sorry, Colonel, but I don't have to take orders from you anymore.

You took care of that when you washed me out.

Army 436, turning on final approach.

Over. Army 436, roger. Cleared for landing.

Power to aircraft on taxi strip. What is your identification?

Over.

Power to aircraft on runway 18.

You receive the tower, clear the runway immediately.

Army 436, do not land.

Go around.

Do not win.

Who is it?

You may come in now, Mrs. Harper, but don't stay too long.

Duchess.

Duchess.

Hello. You would wake me up, Ma, just when I was having the most wonderful

dream.

Were you?

I landed in Washington.

The brass hat said everything was all right.

And the next day, there you were in the lead ship with all your little pursuit

ships tagging after you.

I'm sorry I ever came out of it.

Oh, you may be a problem child, Virgie, but you're all I've got.

I know.

But you used to have the wafts.

Oh, I wonder whatever became of them.

Well, there'll be plenty to do getting you on your feet again.

Am I getting on my feet again? Oh, yes. They say in time you'll be just as good

as new.

What happened to the other ship?

Who was in it?

Mary Frances.

She landed all right.

That's more than I did.

Wrong way, Virgie.

On a one -way street.

Virgie, do you know something?

I'm proud of you.

Me?

Yes, Virgie.

You tried.

Is Mrs. Harper here?

Yes, right there.

Mrs. Harper.

Oh, yes, Snapper.

How's the patient?

She's going to be all right, thanks. Oh, that's swell.

Say, Mrs. Harper, you want it?

By whom?

By a couple of fellows named Wade and Brennan.

If I were you, I'd get on my horse, but quick. Yes, I will.

Oh, Robert, that'll probably be your resignation.

Here, now, Virgie, take it easy.

Everything's going to work itself out.

You go back to sleep.

You sent for me, Colonel? Come in, Mrs. Hopper.

Your commanding officer has just received a message that the first flight

went to Easy Queen Island has run into trouble.

The lead ship has gone down.

The other ships have scattered.

and we must operate on the basis that the flight is lost.

Because combat pilots are waiting at Easy Queen, another flight must go

Orders have come in for you to embark on this mission, and under a different

name. I have just received official word from Washington that you will be known

as the Women's Air Force Service Pilots.

You will be attached to the Air Forces.

Your numbers will be increased as soon as other women are ready to take their

places with you.

You will be ready to take off at dawn tomorrow.

That's all.

Good luck.

Well, this is what you've been waiting for. Aren't you happy, Mrs. Harper?

Oh, of course I'm happy, Colonel.

Oh,

about your resignation.

I haven't had time to turn it in.

You check your watches, please.

In 10 seconds, it will be 05.

Check? Check. Good. I'll see you upstairs.

Army 189 calling Tower 192.

Army 189 approaching field from northwest.

Request immediate landing instructions.

Over. Army 189, this is Sunset Tower. Three miles east. One west 15.

Cleared to runway 28R. Number one to land.

Traffic is tactical squadron taking off on runway 28.

Hello, Private.

I'm in Mrs. Harper's quarters.

Mrs. Harper, sir? Well, she's almost ready for takeoff. Jump in. Maybe I can

stop her. Maybe I can help you, sir.

Hello.

I -835, your quadrant is cleared for takeoff.

Army 189 calling Darwin.

Hold that squadron. Emergency.

Army 189, Wilco. Army 835.

Do not take off. Emergency.

835, Wilco.

There was so much to say, and now I can't say a word.

I know.

Darling.

Darling, they told me you were missing. Me? Unsinkable Harper?

I told you I'd come back.

I know.

I'm off again tomorrow.

And I write this minute.

Tommy. Army 835, your clearance is void if not off the ground by 2 -0. Cleared

for immediate takeoff. Army 835, roger.

Roberta, the towers cleared us for immediate takeoff.

So long, darling.

So long, baby.