Original subtitles

Thank you.

good people.

You better all grab your courage, everybody, because this is flying with.

Now, I'm talking $5 for the best five minutes of your life.

When you die, St. Peter says to you, hey, when was you happiest down there?

You're going to say, well, it was okay the day I got married.

And I didn't much mind the day I first fell in love.

Seeing the sky with a great Waldo Pepper.

Oh, that beats them all. First, first.

Who wants a free ride?

Well,

usually I try to pick somebody that shows more enthusiasm.

But in your case, I'll make an exception. What's your name?

Scooter. Scooter.

Well, you look big and strong to me, Scooter, and that's the main thing. I'm

going to need a lot of gas.

You can tell there's a lot of riders here today.

Tell you what, you just take this to the nearest gas station every time I need

it. We're all done. At the end of the day, I'll give you a free ride. How's

that?

Atta boy.

Okay, folks, if you'll just stand right up here now.

Give me a second line three.

Go on.

Go ahead.

Okay.

That a boy, Scooter. Keep her coming.

What? No, no, no.

It's okay.

No, no, go ahead.

Thanks. What about my free wine?

Oh, I just...

I just told you that to get you to work for me.

I never take kids up a lot.

You must have done pretty good today, if what Scooter says is right.

Yes, sir.

Best in over a year.

Right after the war finished, barnstorming was like this all the time.

I've been flying Nebraska for quite a while now.

God, things are sure getting tough. I guess people are just getting used to

airplanes. Is that all you plan to do the rest of your life, just cash for

rides, and that's it? Oh, no, no, sir. Every penny I make goes into the

building of a brand-new biplane for air acrobatics. Are you the best flyer in

the world? Oh, Scooter.

Wouldn't I like to be?

But there's so many amazing pilots around that have done so many incredible

feats with their airplanes.

Sorry to disappoint you, Scooter, but I'm going to be honest with you.

There's just no way that I can say I'm the best pilot in the world.

I'm the second best flyer in the world.

Who's better?

In the first place, I'd have to put the German ace, Ernst Kessler.

He shot down 70 planes and lived to tell the tale.

That don't seem right.

Shooting down Americans, that don't make a man a hero to me.

Well, maybe not, but Kessler was special.

An honest day's work. That's what I call special.

Were you in the war?

In the last part of it.

Did you fight Kessler?

Once.

We were flying patrol over the Hurricane Wood.

There were five of us, and we saw Kessler flying below us with one escort

plane.

Yeah. He didn't see us, and we dove on him.

On the first pass, we shot down the escort plane, but Kessler was too fast.

I followed the escort plane all the way down just to make sure he was finished.

As I started climbing back up, well, I said to myself, with those odds, Kessler

will try to make a run for it, but he didn't. He took them all on, one against

four, and he was doing the attacking.

By the time I got back up, he'd shot down three of them. How?

Well, Landis and Suave were kids, and...

See, Curtin... Well, Curtin couldn't have been more than 19.

They panicked.

By the time I got back up, he was after McKinnon. I shot a burst into him, and

Mac's plane caught on fire.

Now, Mac said that he would never, ever go down in flames.

So he jumped.

Didn't he have a parachute?

Nobody had parachutes then, Scooter.

No, he just would rather fall to his death than... than burn going down.

And then Kessler dove in on me.

Weren't you scared?

Don't be dumb.

Well, it's crazy, but... I was happy.

It was just me against him.

God, he was all over the sky.

He could snap around the head of a pin. One minute, I think I'd have him.

The next, he's coming right at me.

And then, I don't know, he was behind me, and my gun's jammed.

And I pounded on the handles and just... Pounded on them until my fists were

bleeding. And I couldn't unjam them.

I was just there. I was just... I was helpless in his gun sights.

But he didn't fire.

He could see me pounding on my guns, and he pulls up alongside of me, just as

close as you are to me, and he looks at me.

And he did it. Did what?

Just like that.

Over the Hurtgen Wood, Ernst Kessler saluted me.

And then he peeled off and dove back towards his lines.

I can take you folks high or low, fast or slow, any way you want to go. And I

can land you as soft as an old maid getting into a feather bed.

And I can fly you over your house so you can see who's visiting your wife.

But first, for the bravest of the brave.

All

right,

folks, never mind. It's just passing through.

Passing through.

Now. The bravest of the brave, son, will have his stance first for free.

Love!

Excuse me, folks.

A fellow lover of the blue may be in trouble.

I'll be right back.

Hello, good people.

Thank you, thank you.

Before we get started, son, I want you to know I consider your presence here an

act of aggression.

Aggression?

This is my territory.

It's mine, son. We don't want to disconcert the masses.

Then fly your crate the hell out of here. For what conceivable reason?

Nebraska's mine. I've been working it for two years. Well, you just got

yourself a new partner.

But these people are mine.

Then you're not leaving?

You grasp things very well. I can see that. But don't you leave either. If you

carry my gas can into town for me, I'll give you a free lesson at the end of the

day. Judging from that landing, you need all the help you can get.

Forgive the intrusion, good folks.

Now, let's remind ourselves where we were.

Some people would say...

that what you're about to see is probably the greatest exhibition of

aeronautical skill in the history of the world.

I, myself, wouldn't go that far.

It is probably only the greatest since the invention of the aircraft.

Now, this will be the order, folks.

First, the falling lead.

Then, the barrel roll.

Then, an inside loop. And finally, a daring, low-level pass.

I'd be obliged if you propped me, son.

Glad to.

You're a good loser, and I like good losers.

Then again, you probably had lots of practice.

Contact.

Contact!

My partner and I have a little surprise planned for you folks. How would you all

like to see the famous Axel Olsen crash?

signal, folks, means he's just roaring to go.

Everybody down to the pond.

Everybody, everybody, the thing of it is, it really makes Axel Field

appreciate it if when he's done, assuming he's alive, there's a little

reward waiting.

Wichita folks gave $15, $20 just to see a crash like this.

That's the best If you shouldn't give the captain

a nice round of applause when he finished it just means the world to

annoying you care

That was a mistake.

What? He shouldn't have taken off his cap.

Why not?

Arabs behind those rocks.

You like movies?

Mm-hmm.

The clothes is nice.

Is this your sweater?

Uh-huh.

Don't worry. Don't worry.

You know what I'd do if I was him?

What? Throw sand in their eyes.

Blind them.

And you could tell it was Kessler because he had a black and yellow plane.

It had three wings and looked like a wasp.

Oh, that could sting you, you mean.

Right.

And he had the name of his girlfriend, Lola, painted alongside of the plane.

Honest. Yeah.

Oh, that would have been the highlight of my life, seeing my very own name

flying through this. Oh, there's Axel. Hi, Axel. My goodness, he's hurt himself

again. Poor thing.

Axel, what happened to you?

Oh, it's a long story. Oh, no, don't tell me. I'd be too upset. I want you to

meet a friend of mine, though. He's a pilot, too, and he's been telling me one

exciting thing after another. Waldo, this is Axel. Axel, this is Waldo

Pepper.

Smile, son. Never disconcert the masses.

Why don't you sit down, dear?

Oh, I can hardly believe it.

Me sitting here with two aces.

Well, why don't you tell him about when you fought the black and yellow German?

No, no, he wasn't black.

He wasn't black and yellow, Mary Beth. It's plain white. That's right, and it

had Lola written on it.

Lola was Kessler's truest love.

Ernst Kessler?

You fought Ernst Kessler?

He sure did, and was it ever exciting. Just wait till you hear it. Go ahead,

tell him, Waldo. Oh, later.

Later, ma'am. No.

Hey. No. Do it, Waldo.

Kessler could have killed Waldo, but he let him go on account of Waldo's guns

jammed. See, when Kessler and Waldo tangled, Kessler had such respect for

Waldo that he just gave him a salute, and off he went.

That must have been some threat.

Uh, well, it's...

It went by so fast. But looking back on it, I guess I'd have to say it was kind

of exciting.

Oh, he's just being modest, Axel. That was a very dangerous thing. See, that

German had already shot down four other planes before Waller could stop him.

Landers, Schwab, Curtin, McKinnon.

Right. And... How did you know?

Because they were with me and the 14 scouts, Mary Beth.

And when they took off that morning, I didn't see any Waldo Pepper taking off

with them.

He didn't.

There were five of them in the flight.

Kessler shot down four of them, but he let the flight leader live. His name was

Captain Frank Madden. He died in combat only a couple of months later.

I don't get it.

You've been sitting here with a four-flesher, Mary Beth.

He's been telling you stories.

Getting your drink so he can work his way with you.

It should have been me.

as the head of the Dilhoffer flying circus, to present to you, on his first

and his foremost and his final tour of America, the greatest flyer,

the most courageous ace of aces,

the most foolhardy aerial stunt performer in this entire civilized

world,

the Black Knight of Germany!

Goddamn crotch.

All right, now.

He's made his turn out there, ladies and gentlemen.

And now he's coming back, so keep your eyes on him. He's about to perform a

spectacular vertical roll.

What are you doing here, Ezra? It's going to be a monoplane. Here he comes

now, gaining speed. A monoplane.

You mean to tell me you are building me a plane with only one wing? Yeah, well,

I thought you'd like to know. The biplane is as dead as a dodo bird.

And now he comes, gaining speed, pulling up.

And there it is.

It's the roll going straight up into the heavens. And now he comes out of it on

the top.

In case you hadn't noticed, Ezra, that was a biplane. Exactly. It's an antique.

Monoplanes fall apart. Mine is cantilevered. It can't fall apart. They

can't pull high Gs. Absolutely untrue. They're unstable. They're

unmaneuverable. And they can't do that. When we were 10, who built a

glider that flew 176 feet off the top of the Jordan's environment?

You did. And who busted his butt jumping out of a second-story window in a

parachute made of bed sheets?

I did. Then don't lecture me on aerodynamics.

Was I lecturing you? You were.

He's going now for altitude, ladies and gentlemen.

That means...

Really, it's a brilliant concept, Waldo.

Wait a minute. Let go of that thing. Now, here's something to remember to

tell your grandchildren.

At an altitude of 3,000 feet, the only man alive today

to do ten full complete revolutions without a crash, the

death spin of Ernst Hessler.

Now, look, Waldo, you're worried about maneuverability. Look at the size of

that aileron. Shut up.

Huh?

Four!

Five!

Six!

Seven!

Eight! Hurry up. You're running out of room.

You can beat him, Walter.

In my amount of time.

There he is, folks.

He's coming in to land.

The greatest aviator in the world, Ernst Kessler.

Ladies and gentlemen, a short intermission.

During which time, for a nominal fee... Have you test flown it yet?

As soon as it gets an engine.

I got a line on a serpent. All it takes is money.

Here. I got lucky up north last week.

That'll do for a down payment.

Don't worry.

I'll get more. All right.

Bill Hopper. Yeah.

I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Waldo Pepper.

Pleased to meet you, Pepper, but the answer's no. I thought we might discuss

a couple of things. The answer's still no. Look, I know who you are.

You're a damn good pilot, right?

Right. But barnstorming ain't what it used to be.

So now you want a job in my flying circus.

But do you got an act? No, right?

Well, the answer's no unless you got a knack.

Look up there.

You think that pack of jackals wants to see a good pilot?

They want blood.

Sudden death is my business, Pepper, not good pilots.

Wait a sec. Give me a chance, would you please?

I gave you the same deal I gave everybody else.

Now, I'm gonna lose the crowd to a western out there at the end of this

month. That means there's not free.

Now, you dream up a stunt where people think you're gonna die.

No.

Where people are sure you're going to die, and I'll take the island.

They might try wing walking. I hear it's very popular down south.

Good luck.

Well, it's an inferior model, but it'll suit my purposes.

What do you mean?

I'm borrowing your plane, son.

What? Yep.

You wrecked mine, remember?

And it won't be ready for a month.

Hey, hey, take your hands off that.

Bill offers promised me employment, provided I come up with an act. So I'm

using your plane to improvise with.

You're not using my plane for anything.

Seems the least you can do for someone who was in combat while you were sitting

it out.

I was in combat with the 6th Pursuit in the Calais sector, and the only reason I

got there late was because they made me an instructor at the time, and I

couldn't get away.

Son, son, I'm not a vindictive man. You learned your lesson the other night, and

there's no need for you to apologize.

Who's apologizing?

But what the hell would we do anyway, you're half crippled my engines give me

fits actually I have some ideas on the subject mayor Beth. Can you drive?

as you can, and as slow as you can, and we'll adjust to you. I hope I don't ruin

everything.

Don't worry, Mayor Benz. We're doing a great stunt.

I don't want to be a stickler for accuracy, but you're just flying.

She's just driving.

I'm the one doing a great stunt.

That's true, son.

And that's why you're getting all the glory.

My sister worries enough about you as it is.

If you want your lunch, it's waiting for you inside.

Yes, he's home.

I'm sorry, Waldo. I don't know what got into me.

I think it was seeing you all bandaged up again that did it.

Well, I never get to see you unless you're all banged up.

Still, I guess it's kind of mean to throw things at a crippled man.

I'm sorry, Waldo. I really am.

Scratch my back and I'll forgive you.

What?

Scratch my back and I'll forgive you.

Okay? Okay.

Be careful.

It's driving me nuts.

There? Higher.

Waldo, is it always going to be when something's broken?

What, my coming back home, you mean?

Your coming back home, I mean.

You could fly with me.

Waldo, I get sick.

You think still?

Well, the last time I went up with you, all I saw was the inside of a paper sack

the whole time.

Yeah, I guess.

Besides, I don't think we'll look proper.

We could get married.

Well, think of all the pretty girls you'd be missing.

I'd try very hard to cut down.

Really.

That's very sweet of you, but no thanks.

If I'd have married you, it would have been before you went off to war.

You were awful cute in those days.

I'm still awful cute.

And you practically promised me you'd get killed. I know, I know.

Sorry about that.

I guess you're still trying.

I really do love you, Marty.

Except in flying weather.

Well, you got to remember that this thing is so different and genius-like

that you might not think it's perfect. It is perfect. I'm not saying that. But

you might think it needs to be touched up. Oh, God damn it. If you don't hurry

up, I'm going to call it off. Oh, well, you just... Hold on. Well, I haven't had

a... I haven't had an unlimited budget, you know.

So it's not going to look like something out of a museum, all clean and dusted.

I'm a designer, and I don't give a damn about cleaning. And that's what's so

unique about this plane, is the design.

Concentrate on that. The design.

Well, there it is.

The style of Sky Street.

You think it might be a little nose-heavy, Ezra? Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh

-huh. Here, here.

An elevator trim tab you operate from inside the cockpit.

How about the horsepower?

80.

Will it take a 120?

Well, if you send me the money for a 120, it'll take a 120.

Hell, it'll take a 180. Do you like it?

What about the wings with a 180?

I buttress the wings. I'll get an extra set of flying wires for the wings. Don't

worry about the goddamn wings. Do you like it? Ezra?

I could do an outside loop in this, couldn't I?

Couldn't I?

Of course you could.

Well, hell, even I could do an outside loop in this plane, but then I'm a

superb pilot. What's an outside loop? It's the last great stunt. Even Kessler

hasn't done it.

He's never had a plane that could take the stress.

Do you realize if you build the first plane to do it, and I'm the first guy to

fly it?

that we could both be very rich and very famous. Do you think you just mind that

as? I need some more money.

Oh, I'll get the money if he likes it.

first we gotta find out if we can do this still offer won't give us a job

unless we can wing walk will you go on

and we'll switch!

And gentlemen, the unbeaten, untied, unethical,

wing-walking wonders of the world, Fulton and Pepper.

Jack came through here last week. They're not standing on his head.

who has agreed to take the first flight with us this afternoon.

Ladies and gentlemen, the world-famous opera star, Madame Jessie

Lund.

Folks, I always tell the boys, our annual sojourn to Great Rapids is the

climax of the year.

So just crowd right in, just crowd right in.

Excuse me for a moment.

Well?

Is she going to help us out or not? Yes or no?

No.

It's too dangerous. Well, we need some new stunts. Where the hell is this

outside loop of yours? The plane will be ready by the months he fares. That's

several weeks from now. We could starve by then.

We need something to bite us through.

I'm going to make you a legend.

I've been legendary all month, Doc. All right, then I'll make you unprecedented.

I could go roller skating on the wing.

It's no good. Gates done that this season.

Okay, Doc, how about if I parachute off and then play the harmonica on the way

down? It's no good. Gates done that, too, and he tutored the flute.

What the hell do you want, Doc?

Sex!

Bats! What's going to pull us through?

and how I just crave adventure.

In her chest.

Honey, don't let him bully you into doing something you don't want to do.

Oh, she's going to do it. She's going to pull us through. All right, now, here's

what we do.

We put it up on the wing. Yeah, and she'll fake being afraid. Right. And the

wind will blow her clothes off. What?

Wait, why would the wind blow her clothes off?

When I'm wing walking, the wind doesn't blow my clothes off. Well, nobody wants

to come and see you with your clothes off. Her, they'll come running to see

what happens, if you know what I mean.

It's a good gimmick.

Well, just shred her clothes beforehand, and you're a good girl.

I get to tip the clothes.

What was that, honey?

And I get to pick what words you're going to use about me on the sign.

I want my name higher than anybody else's, and I want my name bigger than

anybody's. Let's see. I want to be the it girl of the sky, so that's what I'll

be.

No, no, that isn't so good. Stop her, Doc.

Nobody's got...

higher than anybody's, and I want it bigger than anybody else's name on the

sign. Go ahead, fabulous, fantastic, Mary Beth McElhenney, the it girl of the

sky!

Okay!

What the hell's he trying to do? He can't land with her out there. He'll

cartwheel her.

She's frozen.

Come on. I knew she wasn't worth top billing.

Jesus.

I'm going across!

I can't keep it level with both of you out there!

Put it into a shallow dive! Okay!

Jesus. You'll notify our family? Oh, yes, sir. We know exactly what to do.

Don't worry about that.

I hate to say this, but I am in the business, and an accident like this does

bring people out, so if you'll just excuse us. Well, nobody's going no place

unless he says so.

Unless who says so?

I almost had her.

Jesus, I came so close.

Hey,

Newt. Hey, Hushot. How are you? What do you say?

Gee, uh, Newt, this is Doc Dilhoffer and my partner, Axel Olsen.

Hey, you guys.

This is Newton Potts. He was my squadron leader in France.

What are you doing? You know he got 11 planes, Doc? Oh, I've heard a lot about

Mr. Potts. What brings you down here?

You do, Mr.

Dilhoffer. I'm the regional air inspector here for the Department of

Commerce. I'm afraid I'm going to have to shut you down.

What? On who in the hell's authority?

The Air Commerce Act.

Your air circus is operating in direct violation of the Civil Aeronautics Code.

Hey, come off it, Newt.

What is all this? The flying games are over, Waldo.

You guys have been scaring the hell out of people for too long. Flying is

getting to be big business, and people got to figure it's safe.

You think you can come in here and wave a couple of papers and ruin our

livelihood just like that?

You meet the requirements in here, and you can fly again. But your planes have

to be licensed. Your pilot's licensed.

No stunning over congested areas, no wing walking.

It's all in there.

When you're ready for inspection, let me know and I'll come back. But until then,

you're grounded.

GDP, you think if I study real hard, Newt, I might pass?

Are you going to license the clouds and the rain?

Are you going to put highways in the sky for people to follow? Yep, all that too.

along with airlines and airmail, and there's going to be big money in it,

too, if you're smart.

Well, I'm no chauffeur, and I'm no mailman.

I'm a flyer, Newt.

I'm afraid not anymore, Waldo, not until an investigation has been held into the

death of that girl.

Waldo and Axel wanted to save her.

And that will come out in the investigation, but until then, everybody

involved in the incident will not be issued licenses.

And when's that going to be?

The regional board convenes in Wichita in six weeks. Now listen, I've got a

contract with the Muncie Fair in two weeks. I need Waldo and Axel to fly.

You can't do this to me. I've got nothing to do with it. It's Congress and

you guys.

You've done it to yourselves.

Why don't you all grow up?

Waldo, you're the greatest natural flyer I've ever seen in my life.

The war gone on a little longer, you might have proved that to everyone.

But that kind of flying is finished.

You're gonna have to learn to live with it.

I'm sorry, hotshot.

Deal it off, or I'll be in touch.

I just don't understand.

That guy...

was a great squadron leader. What the hell happens to people?

Kid stuff.

What does it say?

Not this.

Us.

What we've been doing.

Wanda, he is right.

It's kid stuff.

Come on, we can still fly the Muncie fare. Now, don't worry about Newt. He's

an old pal. He'll come around.

I'm through, Wanda.

My heart isn't in it.

Come on, come on.

Do I fly?

Or am I finished?

Neither.

I fly.

Look,

Waldo, Newt said you already asked him three times. He can't let you.

Somebody's going to do the outside loop any day now.

If I can do it here now, you'll still have the plane later on.

He says you might be able to get away with a two-month suspension. You can

take it to exhibitions all over the country. Follow Kessler around and show

him up.

All I did was try and save it.

Newt's got to go by the rules. Half the local CAA is sitting out there.

CAA.

Waldo, we've been together all our lives.

Tell me to fly it, and I'll fly it. Tell me to skip it, and I'll skip it.

But they got to know now.

Dangerous.

Jesus.

What the hell is he doing?

Permanent, Waldo.

Regional board met in Wichita.

Permanently grounded.

It's a federal offense if you ever fly again.

That means jail.

I put in my pitch for you. Did everything I could with the wooden

punch.

It's a miracle no one was killed in that crash. There had been.

You'd have been up for manslaughter.

As it was, they figured they're letting you off easy.

Well, they did the right thing.

There's no doubt about it.

Come work for me if you want to.

It's the best I can do. It's clerking, sure, but you'd still be in aviation.

No thanks, Newt.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Well, if you change your mind, let me know.

What do you think about

Kessler?

What?

Doing the outside loop last week in St. Louis.

Well, somebody was bound to do it sooner or later.

Yeah, I suppose so.

Take it easy, hotshot.

Yeah.

Hey.

Who is it?

It's me, Doc.

Waldo. Pepper.

Goodbye.

Just a minute.

Howdy, Doc.

Oh, hey, you're looking good, Doc.

Real good.

What you been doing?

Get to it, Pepper.

Oh, nothing. I, uh... Well, I'm healing pretty fast, and, uh...

I was thinking about maybe getting back into flying.

I can't advise you on that.

Want to go to jail? Go to jail.

I'd use another name, of course. I wouldn't want to start billing or

anything.

With me?

You get me the worst publicity that a man could ever ask for, you get me

suspended for a year, and here you are now asking me for a job? Come on, Doc.

You're crazy.

Pepper, there's not an outfit in this whole part of the country that'll even

touch you.

They don't want to see stunting anymore.

They want speed, records, fast, faster.

Get yourself a bug, hit 200, you're home free.

I can do that.

Goodbye, Pepper.

Your friend Olsen's doing pretty good in Hollywood.

Maybe the CAA hasn't set itself up in the West yet.

Try California.

See you, Doc.

You're not a bad sort, Waldo.

But you're dangerous.

How's the pay?

It's good.

People are kind of nutty, but you get used to them. I haven't been out of work

since I got here.

Who do I see about getting a job?

Don't worry about it.

Hey!

Axel, move in.

Come on, Axel.

Are you in that position over there?

All right, stand by, everybody.

Rolling.

Speed.

Action.

Cut. You get that?

Okay for you.

Okay, Joe?

Good.

Cut! Print!

That was a good one. Very good.

All right, let's just wait a minute, camera. Just a minute.

I'm just too cat-like to fall that way.

Every fan I have will know in his heart it simply isn't me. I have too much

natural grace.

Couldn't he club me with a branch or something like that? My reflexes are

so... Hey, you're great.

It's terrific, Paul.

Okay. One more time, please.

Axel, would you use the gun butt on him this time?

Props, move the debris out of the way so the men can bring the table in.

Well, you must be the famous Patsy. Mm-hmm. Axel says I'm supposed to be

real nice to you. Oh, damn right.

Hi, honey. Hi.

Werfel asked me to give you a message.

He wants you to reconsider.

But I thought he had all his pilots.

Not after this morning.

Another mid-air?

We've been through that before. Tell him no.

I'm glad.

I already did.

Hey, let's us do it.

You're talking to an airline pilot, son.

Weston promised me an opening at the end of the month once my application passes

CAA review.

Who'd approve you? I'm clean.

I took my year suspension.

You really want to get thrown to the lions, huh?

It's a lot better than getting creamed by a foker.

I can't do that kind of mad work anymore anyhow.

I'm out of practice. Yeah, but we could work our way back.

I couldn't get the job myself, but Werfel knows you. You could vouch for

me.

I'd even use an assumed name.

How about it?

Do you think we could?

God knows where for Pace's plot it's big.

All their next of kin agree on that.

These are the outtakes on the scene where Dick had that piece of bad luck.

Oh, Dick's gonna be all right, more or less, thank God.

Well, thank God we had two cameras on it. We've got it from such different

angles. I think we can use the same one for both Curtin's crash and Landis's as

well.

I'm positive the audiences will never notice the same crash.

Oh, no, that's supposed to be Madden's plane flying over, but I think we'll

probably cut that part out and start him going up again to help McKinnon.

Oh, here's the same crash from a different angle. You'll see what I mean.

Actually, Dick was lucky to get out of it alive.

As it is, he'll be in the hospital for at least a couple of months and no use

to us.

All right, that's enough. Let's have some nice peas.

Now, then, we've shot everything up to where Madden comes back up to help

McKinnon. Now, what I want to see is McKinnon's flame flame, see him jump to

his death, and then the final dogfight between Kessler and Madden. Do you think

you can handle that? Yes, sir. No problem.

Hey, uh, George.

George. Mr. Verfield. I'd like for you to meet my partner, the famous George

Brown from the East Coast.

This is Mr. Verfield, the director. Excuse me. What is this picture?

It's for the Eagles over France. It's about the 14th Air Scouts. That was

Ernst Kessler's battle. Yes, that's right. Yes, they flew against Kessler.

It's all true.

True? No, you got it all wrong.

The 14 scouts didn't have any spads, and they didn't have Newports or AC5. Mr.

Brown, anybody can supply accuracy.

Artists provide truth.

Mr. Werfel, I know this battle, and they were stationed much closer to the front

line, and there was no phony farmhouse.

He's quite right. It didn't look like that.

But then perhaps some poetic license is justified.

You're learning.

Now, look here. Are you sure you can handle all these three stunts? Yes, sir.

I mean, they're very dangerous.

Well, we can do it. All right, then, how much is it gonna cost me?

Depends.

You're Ernst Kessler, aren't you?

Yes.

And your name is Brown?

I'm sorry I went on about what an expert I was on your battle.

No, no need.

You probably know more about it than I do.

I was there, of course, but there wasn't much time for me to study.

I'm glad to be in your movie.

Oh, it's hardly mine.

I am just a technical advisor.

They let me do my own flying.

Publicity, I suppose.

Aren't you playing yourself?

Ernst Kessler shot down 70 planes.

Now, if you were castings apart, who would you pick?

I'd pick you.

Oh, it doesn't matter.

It's all lies, anyway.

Mr. Brown.

Oh, Hudson.

Forget the Brown stuff. My name's Waldo Pepper.

You're Waldo Pepper?

You are a friend of Ezra Stiles.

And you were with him in Muncie when he tried for the outside loop.

You were in some trouble, yes?

Yes. It's over now?

No.

It's very nice to meet you.

Perhaps we'll have a chance to fly together, huh?

I'd like that.

Goodbye, Mr. Brown.

Goodbye.

This is it?

Yeah. Aha.

Well, have you got any sound notions on how to set this goddamn thing on fire in

midair and then jump clear without singeing your ass off? Well, let's see.

Did you find out how much Werfel is going to pay for this stunt?

Yeah, $500.

$500?

You mean he's going to pay me $500 just to set this thing on fire and jump?

No, not you. He's paying me $500.

You're flying a Madden plane.

What?

You're flying a Madden plane.

How do you know?

Kessler talked to Werfel.

Said he wanted to do the dogfight with you.

You know...

If I place a charge under the cowling, and if I run some wires back under the

floorboard to a switch here, when I hit the switch, smoke pot goes.

When I jump clear, the plane will be going...

I

was not spying.

I did not wish to be an intrusion.

So, tomorrow we do the McKinnon jump.

Who's doing it?

I am.

May I ask you why?

There are other pilots.

Well, I'm 32 years old, and I've been flying since I was 20, and I'm getting

married.

Yeah, I'm getting married.

And they're paying me 500 bucks for this jump, and that makes my total net worth

$250.

I need the money.

Yes, I understand the need for money, Captain. Believe me.

I myself am in debt for slightly less than $40,000.

But I still would not like to make that jump.

Well, how can a guy like you be in debt for $40,000?

I ask myself that from time to time.

All I can tell you is that life is clear for me up

there alone.

In the sky I found, even in my enemies, courage, honor, and

chivalry.

Underground. Is it secure?

Huh? Is it secure?

Yeah. Okay.

I'm gonna put the switch in back here now.

Yeah. Are you sure?

You sure about what?

About... Hey!

God damn it! You... Don't be a moron! This thing is already a fire hazard!

Just sitting here!

You'll get me a three-hour sandwich.

Never mind, I'll get it myself.

Madden got hide on you that day.

They were up in the back of you with the sun behind them. How come?

You're quite correct.

Yes, I was heading back home.

Cold and, I'm afraid, careless.

You know, I flew much better missions than this one.

Nobody knows about them, but I did.

This one only took eight minutes.

Someone down on the ground told me that once.

I was surprised.

You see, nothing in my life has ever been the same since.

And eight minutes, it seemed too little, like a cheat.

The five of them came at us out of the sun.

And on the first pass, Madden shot down my escort plane, which left it four to

one against me.

And of course I wanted to run, but they had the angles on me, so I closed with

them.

And that they did not expect.

You know...

I could see how young they were.

So frightened.

And they already knew my plane.

Who was Lola?

My first wife.

You know, I've had three.

She left me soon after the war.

They all left me, but Lola is the only one that I still seek out in crowds.

They recognized your plane.

They forgot everything.

No, they made such final mistakes, and I kept on firing until they were down.

And the last one to go was McKinnon.

And he flamed.

No, I don't blame him for jumping.

I would have done the same thing, but I didn't actually see him go because

Madden was on me.

Did you know it was Madden?

I think so, yes.

I wanted it to be. I know that.

Madden, they said, was a wonder.

And I was Ernst Kessler.

But not against children.

No, that proves nothing.

You see, I keep track of talent.

Madden tried going under you at first, didn't he?

Yes.

Were you surprised?

I thought I was done, but I maneuvered free.

But before I could breathe, he was on me again, and I said, my God, is he better

than I am?

Is there someone who can beat me in the sky?

Were you scared?

No.

Everything was in order.

The world made total sense.

We battled.

No lasting advantage.

He was brighter, I was smarter.

He was faster, and I was quicker.

Until... He hesitated, coming out of a turn.

His guns had jammed.

I could see him pounding on the guns, trying to make them regain function.

And I thought, run, Madden.

Try for the clouds.

But he didn't.

He came straight for me instead.

And I thought, you are very stupid.

But you are very brave.

So someone else...

...will have to kill you.

Is that when you saluted?

Yes.

And then what did you do?

Wept.

Now, when you pull the smoke pop, keep it going for a full ten seconds...

...and then set the plane on fire.

Only make sure the plane's really on fire before you get out.

Now, then you'll jump, and the camera ship will follow you all the way down.

Right? Okay. But don't open your parachute too soon, otherwise you'll

spoil the whole effect. I don't want to do this shot again, right?

Okay? Let's go.

Of course, you cannot pull your chute at all. That way, be sure to get the right

effect.

Guess who's still alive?

Me.

Me? I look forward to this a lot.

We got it.

Oh, hold it.

Who's that?

Is that Newt?

Hey, Newt. What you doing in California, Newt? I'm working.

I'm the regional head of the CAA now. Western sent me Axel's pilot

application. I'm down here to check a few things. things out make a few

comments about his character i've got a stupendous character the world agrees on

that good good yeah there any uh bad habits i should know about

drinking for example oh this is no problem here no well i

guess if if western's dumb enough to watch you they won't be in business long

enough for you to do them any harm

Do you know Kessler's in town?

Huh?

Kessler is in town.

They're filming the Madden dog fight for some movie. I know, right. I read about

that in the papers.

Next week or... No.

No, it's... It's tomorrow.

Well, I guess I got it wrong.

Yeah.

Hey, you gonna come in and have a drink with us? Oh, no.

Thanks. No, thanks. But I can't. I've got to get up early tomorrow. I'll bet

you every pilot in town is going to try sneaking in on this one.

I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Well, hey, we'll see you.

Yeah. Okay.

We'll see you, Newt. Happy landings, Newt.

It's a good cat.

If I saw him, don't you think at least I'd grunt or something?

Just keep a steady look and I don't... The world was waiting for you.

Right.

Well, what... What do you think?

Hey, Brad!

Yeah?

All right, we're going to start with some independent passes over the camera

ship. He'll signal when he's got enough.

Then we'll cut to some head-on passes. But keep close. Remember, at all times,

keep close to the camera ship, OK? Look, I know those are uncomfortable, and I

know you didn't really wear them in the war.

There are two men dead on this picture already, so you'll wear them now. Any

questions?

What'd they do that for?

He's flying with Kessler.

Brown.

New guy.

I'll get him when he gets down.

They're actually fighting, for Christ's sake.

Come on, Waldo, shake it!

Well, as long as he's up there.

He's going to run them into the hill.

Look, get a camera on them, will you? Those stupid bastards are going to kill

each other. I want it on film.

Who the hell are they?

There's Waldo.

Pass, and you got him.

Okay.

Thank you.