All language subtitles for Flight Command (F.Borzage, 1940) Eng Subt

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CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
TURNER ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

(KNOCK KNOCK)

FINAL CRASH REPORT
FROM FIGHTING 8,
SIR.

THEY'VE SEARCHED
THE WHOLE AREA.

THERE'S NO TRACE
OF WILSON'S BODY.

TELL THEM TO ABANDON SEARCH
AND RETURN TO NORTH ISLAND.

INFORM MRS. WILSON.

CURLY WILSON WAS
HER WHOLE LIFE, SIR.

YES.

YES, HE WAS A FINE FLIER.
GOOD SHIPMATE.

THERE'S A REQUEST
FROM COMMANDER GARY

OF THE FIGHTING 8,
SIR.

HIS HELLCATS WOULD
LIKE TO FLY

DIRECTLY AFTER
SERVICE IN CHAPEL.

PAY TRIBUTE
TO WILSON?

YES, SIR.

PERMISSION GRANTED.

AYE, AYE, SIR.

HELLO, BILL.

HELLO, LORNA.

JANET WILSON
GET AWAY ALL RIGHT?

WELL, IF PUTTING HER
ON THE TRAIN

MEANS GETTING AWAY
ALL RIGHT.

HOW ABOUT COMING
HOME TO DINNER?

SORRY, DARLING.
I CAN'T.

OH, I DIDN'T
COOK IT.

WELL, THAT DOES MAKE IT
MORE ATTRACTIVE.

SAY, I LIKE THAT.

HA HA HA!

I GUESS JANET IS HIT
PRETTY HARD,

BUT SHE'LL
COME OUT OF IT OK.

SHE'LL FIND
SOMEBODY TO TAKE
CURLY'S PLACE

ONE OF THESE DAYS.

I DON'T KNOW
ABOUT THAT.

SHE LOVED HIM
VERY MUCH.

SURE SHE DID--

NO MORE THAN
CURLY LOVED HER.

IF SHE'D GONE FIRST,
CURLY WOULD HAVE
TAKEN IT STANDING UP,

AND IF MY NUMBER
HAD BEEN CURLY'S,

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN IT
THE WAY SHE DID--
NOT YOU!

HOW RIGHT YOU ARE,
MR. GARY.

I'D GO SKIRTING
AROUND CORNERS

LOOKING FOR
ANOTHER COMMANDER
TO SAY "I DO."

FAR BE IT FROM ME
TO DEVOTE MY LIFE
TO ONE SELFISH MAN.

HA HA! COME ON,
GIVE ME A KISS

AND GET YOURSELF OUT OF HERE.
I GOT WORK TO DO.

OH, NO, NONE
OF YOUR BLARNEY.

COME ON, NOW. YOU'VE
DONE ENOUGH WORK

FOR YOUR COUNTRY
FOR ONE DAY,
AND HOME YOU COME.

DARLING, I HAVE GOT TO
SEE THE ADMIRAL ABOUT
FILLING CURLY'S PLACE.

HE'S SENDING US
A RESERVE FROM PENSACOLA.
NOW, OUT YOU GO!

ALL RIGHT, I GO,
BUT UNDER PROTEST.

DON'T BE TOO LATE,
DARLING.

I WON'T.

I'LL DROP BY AND
SEE THAT BROTHER
OF MINE.

TOODLE-OO.

BYE.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

* OLD SAILORS NEVER DIE *

* THEY JUST SAIL AWAY-- *

WHO'S THERE?

FRIEND. JUST YOUR
LITTLE SISTER.

HELLO, YIPPY.

HELLO, JERRY.
WORKING?

JUST A FEW MINUTES
TILL DINNERTIME.

OH, GOOD EVENING,
MRS. GARY.

HELLO, SPIKE.

OH, I'M GOING OVER
TO THE SHOP, SIR,

TO GET ANOTHER
RESISTOR, BUT, UH...

(JOINS IN)
I DON'T THINK
IT WILL DO ANY GOOD.

YOU'RE SUCH
AN OPTIMIST, SPIKE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

CAN I WATCH?

NOPE. SECRET. BESIDES,
THAT GUY YOU MARRIED

DOESN'T LIKE WOMEN
HANGING AROUND THE STATION

ANY MORE THAN HE LIKED
GIVING ME PERMISSION

TO USE THE HANGAR
FOR MY EXPERIMENTS.

SEEMS A GOOD
PLACE TO ME.

I KNOW, BUT THE SKIPPER
DOESN'T THINK SO.

THERE ARE GOVERNMENT
LABORATORIES FOR EXPERIMENTS

AND BOOBY HATCHES
FOR INVENTORS.

H-HOW IS IT COMING?

(WHIRRING)

(WHIRRING STOPS)

WHAT'S
ON YOUR MIND?

JANET WILSON?

YES.

WHY DON'T YOU
GO ON HOME?

OH, THAT WON'T HELP.
BILL'S BUSY,

AND THEY'RE WAITING
FOR ME AT HOME

ALL OVER THE FRONT
DOORSTEP--THE WILLIES.

HMM. NICE PEOPLE,
THE WILLIES.

UH, HOW'S THE FOG LANDING
DEVICE COMING ALONG?

PRETTY GOOD...

AS SOON AS I CAN
GET THIS RIGHT-HAND
ARROW

TO HOLD
WITHOUT DEVIATION.

SEE, THESE ARROWS
ARE TUNED

TO A GROUND
TRANSMITTER

WHICH SENDS OUT
RADIO IMPULSES.

IT'S JUST LIKE
HAVING A TRACK.

ONE BRINGS YOU
STRAIGHT DOWN
THE RUNWAY,

AND THE OTHER IS
SLOPING AND SETS YOU
DOWN ON THE GROUND.

LANDING IN FOG
IS SIMPLE...
IF IT WORKS.

YOU JUST RIDE
THESE TRACKS
DOWN BLIND

BY KEEPING
THE ARROWS

ALWAYS ON
THE REFERENCE
POINTS.

IT TURNS FOG
INTO SUNSHI--

HEY.

COME ON, YIPPY.
CURLY'S DOING ALL RIGHT.

THEY'VE ISSUED HIM WINGS
THAT WON'T TEAR OFF.

YES, BUT WHAT
ABOUT JANET?

THEY WERE MARRIED
JUST 3 MONTHS AGO, JERRY.

THEY WERE YOUNG,
TERRIBLY IN LOVE.

SHE'LL NEVER
LOVE ANYONE AGAIN.
SHE TOLD ME SO.

SHE GAVE IT ALL TO HIM--
ALL THE LOVE IN HER SOUL.

NOW LIFE'S OVER FOR HER.

SHE'LL HAVE TO GO ON
HALF LIVING, WAITING.

ALL RIGHT, YIPPY,
LET IT GO.

(SOBBING)

SHE'S GOT HIM
TO REMEMBER, YIPPY.

I GUESS THERE ARE
PLENTY OF GIRLS THAT
WOULD GIVE A LOT

TO HAVE THE MEMORY
OF A FELLA LIKE
CURLY WILSON.

YIPPY,
WHY DON'T YOU
TAKE THIS TO BILL

AND LET HIM KNOW
HOW YOU REALLY FEEL?

DON'T YOU THINK
THIS BUSINESS

OF TRYING TO BE
A COURAGEOUS WIFE

IS HEADING YOU
FOR TROUBLE?

I'LL CALL BILL.
HE'LL TAKE YOU HOME.

NO, NO,
DON'T, DON'T.

HE MUSTN'T SEE ME
LIKE THIS.

HE WOULDN'T THINK
MUCH OF ME.

I WOULDN'T
BLAME HIM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ME?

I THINK YOU
OUGHT TO BE
PUT IN A BOTTLE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.
HAVE YOU GOT A BOTTLE?

HA HA!

(VOICES)

IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME
OF YOUR SHIPMATES.
I'LL GO.

ALL RIGHT NOW?

ALL RIGHT, JERRY.
MY NOSE RED?

RED AS A RUNNING LIGHT.

WELL, SERVES ME
RIGHT.

NIGHT, YIPPY.
NIGHT.

HEY, JERRY,
YOU MISSED IT.

JUST HAD A SESSION
WITH THE SKIPPER.

YEAH? WHY DIDN'T YOU
GIVE ME A YELL?

COME ON IN.
GET THE BAD NEWS.

I DON'T KNOW
WHY YOU WEREN'T
IN ON THIS.

WHAT'S WRONG?
THE SKIPPER TELL YOU

TO STOP MAKING FACES,
MUGGER?

NO.
PLENTY'S WRONG.

THEY'RE TRYING TO HAND US
A NEW AVIATION CADET.

YEAH, JUST SPROUTING
HIS FIRST WINGS.

GRADUATES FROM
PENSACOLA TOMORROW.

AN AVIATION CADET?!
WHAT ARE WE, A NURSERY SCHOOL?

THAT'S WHAT WE TOLD
THE SKIPPER.

DO THEY CALL THAT
A FAIR DEAL?

FAIR ON WHO--
US OR THE CADET?

US AND THE CADET!

NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.

WHILE THE MEETING
GETS ITS WIND BACK,

LET'S HAVE A SHORT INTERLUDE
FOR COMMON SENSE.

WITH THIS NEW
NATIONAL DEFENSE PROGRAM,

THE NAVY NEEDS
LOTS OF FLIERS.

PENSACOLA'S TURNING OUT
GOOD STUFF.

NOW, ONCE IT GETS AROUND
THAT THE BEST CADETS

WILL GO STRAIGHT
TO THE TOP FIGHTING SQUADRONS,

THEN WE'LL HAVE THE PICK
OF THE COLLEGES

CLIMBING OVER ONE ANOTHER
TO ENLIST.

YEAH, AND CLIMBING
OVER EVERYBODY ELSE
AT 400 MILES AN HOUR.

(LAUGHTER)

YOU'RE COCKEYED.
THESE YOUNG RESERVES
ARE GOOD.

IT ISN'T BECAUSE HE'S
A RESERVE, DUSTY.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GOOD RESERVES
IN THE SQUADRON NOW.

SURE--
STITCHY FOR ONE.
HE ADMITS HE'S GOOD.

DON'T YOU,
MR. PAYNE?

RIGHT.
(LAUGHTER)

RESERVE OR NOT,
THE GOING'S TOO HARD
ON A CADET IN THIS OUTFIT.

WE'RE GETTING
TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS--

THE CLOSEST
THEY CAN GIVE US TO ACTUAL
WAR CONDITIONS ABROAD--

AND WE'RE EXPECTED
TO GET TOP RESULTS.

BESIDES, THEY'VE
ALWAYS LET US PICK
OUR OWN MEN.

WHAT BECOMES OF THAT--
THE DEEP-SIX?

SKIPPER SAYS WE'LL
STILL BE ABLE TO ASK
FOR OUR MEN.

THIS IS
A SPECIAL CASE.

SUPPOSE THIS GREEN APPLE
DOESN'T MAKE THE GRADE.

DID WE EVER KEEP ANYONE
WHO DIDN'T MAKE THE GRADE?

I STILL SAY
WE SHOULDN'T TAKE HIM!

I KNOW A LIEUTENANT
WHO SAID NO
TO AN ADMIRAL ONCE.

YEAH? WHAT HAPPENED?

HE'S STILL
A LIEUTENANT.

HE'S ALWAYS
GOING TO BE
A LIEUTENANT!

(LAUGHTER)

WELL, THERE'S YOUR ANSWER.
YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO PUT

THE SKIPPER IN A SPOT
LIKE THAT, WOULD YOU?

Men: NO!
WE CAN'T DO THAT!

WELL, I SHOULD
SAY NOT!

WELL, WHAT ARE WE
GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

WHAT?
DO ABOUT IT?

YEAH!

OH, THAT WAS
DECIDED

AN HOUR AGO WITH
THE SKIPPER.

IT'S ALL DONE.
WE GOT HIM.

HE ARRIVES
TOMORROW.

"IT'S ALL DONE.
WE GOT HIM."

THEN WHAT ARE WE
TALKING ABOUT?

WE GOT TO
TALK ABOUT
SOMETHING.

(LAUGHTER)

AW, IF ANYBODY EVER
TELLS ANY OF YOU GUYS
YOU MAKE SENSE, SLUG HIM!

(LAUGHTER)

ALAN DRAKE.

CONGRATULATIONS, MR. DRAKE.
YOU'VE DONE WELL.

YOU'RE GETTING
A TOP ASSIGNMENT.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD
OF FIGHTING SQUADRON 8?

THE HELLCATS?

YES, BUT DON'T
LET THAT THROW YOU.

REMEMBER, YOU'RE
REPRESENTING PENSACOLA.

WHEN WE SEND A YOUNG MAN
TO THE FLEET,

WE'RE SAYING, "HERE'S
A PILOT FOR YOU.

"WE'VE TRAINED HIM,
AND WE VOUCH FOR HIM.

HE'S READY
FOR ANY SERVICE."

THE FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS
FOR A LOT OF YOUNG PILOTS

WILL DEPEND ON
HOW WELL YOU DO
WITH FIGHTING 8.

YOU MUST
MEASURE UP, DRAKE.

THANK YOU, SIR.
I'LL GIVE THEM
ALL I'VE GOT.

ENSIGN DRAKE,
GOOD LUCK.

THANK YOU, SIR.

* I'M A HELLCAT,
I'M A SWELL CAT *

* FLYING HIGH,
DA DA, DA DA DA *

* 'CAUSE I'M A HELLCAT,
A SWELL CAT *

* AND THAT'S
HOW HELLCATS FLY *

PUTS THAT OUTFIT
TO BED FOR TONIGHT.

WISH THIS MAN DRAKE
WAS TUCKED IN.

HE'S WAY OVERDUE.
WHAT'S THE WEATHER
IN THE MOUNTAINS?

HACUMBA--THUNDERSTORMS
AND RAINSQUALLS
IN THE MOUNTAINS.

DRAKE MUST HAVE
CAUGHT THAT.

YES, I'M AFRAID SO.
HIS RADIO COULDN'T GET
THROUGH THAT STATIC.

HE'S EITHER DOWN
SOMEWHERE OR LOST.

(THUNDER)

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
FROM NAVY 5-4-2-9--

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

PLEASE ANSWER!

ROLLING
IN HERE FAST.
IF HE CAME
ON THROUGH,

WE'VE GOT TO
SEND HIM BACK.
TRY AND
REACH HIM.

NAVY 5-4-2-9
FROM NORTH ISLAND
TOWER--ANSWER.

NAVY 5-4-2-9
FROM NORTH ISLAND
TOWER--ANSWER.

GIVE ME THE AIRPORT
AT IMPERIAL.
I'LL WAIT.

NAVY 5-4-2-9
FROM NORTH ISLAND
TOWER--ANSWER.

NAVAL AIR SAN DIEGO
CALLING IMPERIAL--
REQUEST WEATHER REPORT.

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
CALLING NAVY 5-4-2-9.

THANKS. SEND DRAKE
BACK TO YUMA.

FOG'S ON THE GROUND
AT IMPERIAL.

CAN'T RAISE HIM, SIR.

WELL, YOU GOT TO
RAISE HIM!
HE CAN'T LAND HERE!

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
FROM NAVY 5-4-2-9--

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

ANSWER!

Drake: NORTH ISLAND TOWER
FROM NAVY 5-4-2-9...

THERE HE IS.

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
CALLING NAVY
5-4-2-9--

WE'VE BEEN
SITTING ON TACKS

FOR AN HOUR. WHAT'S
YOUR POSITION?

THAT'S WHAT I'D
LIKE TO KNOW.

STORM'S
IN THE MOUNTAINS.

BEEN CRUISING THROUGH FOG
FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS

TRYING TO FIND A HOLE.

MY BEAM RECEIVER
ISN'T WORKING.

UNABLE TO PICK UP
A DIRECTIONAL BEAM.

GAS RUNNING LOW. I HAVE
ABOUT 10 MINUTES LEFT.

WELL, THAT WON'T
TAKE YOU BACK
TO YUMA!

FOG'S ON
THE GROUND HERE.

THERE'S
NO FIELD CLEAR
YOU CAN REACH.

KEEP TALKING.
WE'LL TRY AND GET
A BEARING ON YOU.

Drake:
NAVY 5-4-2-9...

GET A BEARING
ON NAVY 5-4-2-9.

NAVY 5-4-2-9.
TESTING.

NAVY 5-4-2-9.
TESTING.

CATCH HIM?

YES, SIR, BEARING
8-5 TRUE, SIR.

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
CALLING NAVY 5-4-2-9--

COME ON IN.
HEAD WEST TRUE.
WE'LL CHECK ON YOU.

IF YOU'RE MORE THAN
40 MILES AWAY, YOU'RE
SITTING ON A MOUNTAIN.

TELEPHONE COMMANDER GARY
THERE'S A STRAY HELLCAT
LOOSE IN THIS FOG.

HE'D BETTER GET
OVER HERE.
AYE, AYE, SIR.

WHAT'S UP--
DRAKE IN TROUBLE?

YES. I'M TRYING TO BRING HIM
OVER THE FIELD.

IF I ONLY HAD
MY GADGET WORKING,
WE'D BRING HIM

THROUGH THAT SOUP
AND SET HIM RIGHT DOWN
BESIDE THE HANGARS.

MAYBE, BUT WOULD HE BE
RIGHT SIDE UP?

HEY, PIPE DOWN,
YOU TWO.

(AIRPLANE APPROACHING)

THERE'S
HIS MOTOR NOW!

BRING YOUR MIKE.

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
FROM NAVY 5-4-2-9--

I MUST BE GETTING CLOSE,
BUT I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!

CAN YOU HEAR
MY MOTOR?

DRAKE, WE HEAR YOU.
YOU'RE APPROACHING
THE FIELD.

I'LL SPOT YOU WHERE
YOUR PLANE WON'T
CRASH ANYTHING.

YOU'LL HAVE TO
BAIL OUT.

WHAT?

BAIL OUT?
CRASH THIS BRAND-NEW PLANE?

BUT SHE'S WHAT
YOU DREAM ABOUT!

CRUISES AT 350, DIVES AT 600.
I CAN'T DO THAT!

I'M COMING IN!

HE'S CRAZY! THINKS
HE CAN GET DOWN
THROUGH THIS.

GET THE AMBULANCE
AND CRASH TRUCK!

I THINK I SEE
THE FIELD LIGHTS.

HE'S TOO FAR EAST.
HE'LL HIT THE CONTROL TOWER!

ORDER HIM UP
OUT OF THERE!
PULL UP,
DRAKE!

(REVVING ENGINE)

(ALL SHOUTING)

DRAKE, THIS IS
SQUADRON COMMANDER
FIGHTING 8.

DON'T TRY THAT
AGAIN!

CLIMB TO 2,000,
FLY DUE WEST
ONE MINUTE,

AND WHEN I TELL YOU,
HIT THE SILK!

WIND'S TO THE WEST.
YOU'LL DRIFT IN
OVER THE FIELD.

IF YOU'RE LUCKY.

I'M AT 2,000
FLYING DUE WEST.

YOU'RE SET,
DRAKE.

BAIL OUT!

GOOD-BYE, BABY!

(TAPPING)

Bill:
THE WIND SHIFTED.

HE'S LIABLE
TO LAND IN MEXICO.

ALL HANDS OUT.
HAVE PATROLS COVER

ALL THE SEAWARD AREAS
OF THE STATION.

GET THE AMBULANCE ROLLING.
BE SURE THEY HAVE A INHALATOR.

AYE, AYE, SIR.

YES, PLEASE?

I WONDER IF I COULD
COME IN A MINUTE
AND USE YOUR PHONE.

EXCUSE, PLEASE.

I DON'T WANT
TO BE EXCUSED.

I WANT TO USE
YOUR PHONE.

EXCUSE, PLEASE!

OH, NOW,
WAIT A MINUTE.
WAIT A MINUTE.

I'M A FLIER, SEE?
AVIATOR. NAVY.
SAVVY?

NOW, LOOK...

ME FLY.

PARACHUTE. SPLASH.
UNDERWATER.
GLUG, GLUG.

NOW WANT PHONE.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

HA HA! SORRY
FOR BUTTING IN
LIKE THIS,

BUT DON'T BE
ALARMED.

I'M FROM THE NAVAL
AIR STATION. COULD I
USE YOUR PHONE?

I'M NOT ALARMED.
DID I HEAR YOU SAY
YOU HAD TO BAIL OUT?

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

YES, YES,
I'M ALL RIGHT.

A COUPLE
OF MINUTES AGO,
I WASN'T SO SURE.

I THOUGHT I'D
LANDED IN CHINA!

JUNG, GET A TOWEL,
WILL YOU?

TOUGH LUCK LANDING
IN THE OCEAN.

AH, IT DOESN'T
MEAN A THING
IN MY OUTFIT.

WHAT IS YOUR OUTFIT,
MISTER...

DRAKE--ALAN DRAKE.

I'M ONE
OF THE HELLCATS.

OH, YOU'RE ONE
OF THE HELLCATS?

YEAH. YOU'VE HEARD
OF THE HELLCATS,
HAVEN'T YOU?

WELL...

INDIRECTLY.

BEST OUTFIT
IN THE FLEET,

BEST FLIERS,
BEST BUNCH
OF FELLAS.

REMEMBER THAT
SERUM RESCUE FLIGHT

TO COSTA RICA
A COUPLE OF
YEARS AGO?

THAT WAS RHODES.
HE'S A HELLCAT.

AND OUR SKIPPER
BILL GARY--HE'S
TOPS AND TOUGH.

HE LED
THE ALASKA FLIGHT

THAT BROUGHT
THE HARRISON
EXPEDITION

SAFELY THROUGH
LAST WINTER.

MAYBE YOU'VE
MET HIM,

LIVING NEAR
THE AIR STATION
LIKE THIS.

YES. I SEEM TO REMEMBER
MEETING HIM SOMEWHERE.

CERTAINLY HEARD
A LOT ABOUT HIM.

THEY SAY HE HAS
THE SWEETEST WIFE.

UH, WIFE?
OH, YES.

WAIT A MINUTE.
I'LL USE THAT PHONE,
IF YOU DON'T MIND.

I'VE GOT TO REPORT.
I CAN'T STAND AROUND
TALKING ALL NIGHT.

NOT ON MY CARPET.

HA HA! SORRY.
I'VE KIND OF
MESSED THINGS UP,
HAVEN'T I?

OH, NEVER MIND.

YOU'D BETTER MAKE
YOUR PHONE CALL
AND START ALONG.

EVEN HELLCATS
CATCH PNEUMONIA.

(RING)

OPERATIONS.

THIS IS
ENSIGN DRAKE, SIR,
REPORTING FOR DUTY.

SUPPOSE YOU KNOW
WHAT HAPPENED.
I'M AWFULLY SORRY.

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

GOOD. RELAX, BILL.
IT'S THE PRIDE
OF PENSACOLA.

HE'S SAFE AND SOUND
AND SORRY ABOUT
THE WHOLE THING.

TELL HIM
TO GET IN HERE.

IT'S ABOUT TIME
YOU PIPED UP.

THEY'VE GOT
PATROLS SEARCHING
ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WHAT TELEPHONE WIRES
ARE YOU HANGING FROM?

I'M IN A HOUSE
ON THE BEACH.
LANDED IN THE OCEAN.

I WONDER
IF YOU COULD
SEND A CAR FOR ME.
I'M PRETTY WET.

YOU'RE ALL WET.
WE DON'T RUN
A TAXI SERVICE.

SO WALK, RUN, SWIM,
BUT GET OVER HERE QUICK
UNDER YOUR OWN POWER.

(CLICK)

EVERYTHING
ALL RIGHT?

OH, SURE, SURE.
EVERYTHING'S
ALL RIGHT.

THEY JUST WANT ME
TO GET OVER THERE
FAST.

WE DON'T
WASTE ANY TIME
IN OUR OUTFIT.

I WONDER IF I COULD
CALL FOR A TAXI.

OH, A TAXI WOULD
TAKE 20 MINUTES.
I'LL RUN YOU OVER.

OH, NO, THANKS.
I'VE BEEN ENOUGH OF
A NUISANCE ALREADY.

JUNG, GET THE CAR,
WILL YOU, PLEASE?
I'LL GET A COAT.

WELL, NOW, MR. DRAKE,
IF THE HELLCATS ARE
SO TERRIBLY GOOD,

AND I'M SURE THEY ARE
FROM ALL YOU SAY--

THEY'RE GREAT.

YOU MUST HAVE HAD
A PRETTY HIGH RECORD

AT PENSACOLA TO COME
RIGHT INTO THEM.

WELL, I WORKED PRETTY HARD.
EVERYBODY WORKS HARD
AT PENSACOLA,

KEEPING PACE WITH
THE DEFENSE PROGRAM,

BUT YOU SEE, FIGHTING 8
ASK FOR THEIR MEN.

THINK OF MY LUCK
GETTING ASKED FOR
BY THE HELLCATS!

I'M SURE YOU MUST
HAVE RATED IT.

AND ALL I'M SURE OF IS
I'M KNOCKING ON WOOD.

FRESH OUT OF PENSACOLA.
HA HA!

I REALLY DON'T KNOW
MUCH MORE

ABOUT THE HELLCATS
THAN YOU DO,

BUT I'LL LEARN,
ALL RIGHT, AND QUICK.

CERTAINLY.
CADET YESTERDAY,
COMMANDER NEXT WEEK.

THINK YOU'RE KIDDING?

NOT NEXT WEEK
OR NEXT YEAR,
BUT SOMEDAY.

WITH A BREAK LIKE THIS,
A MAN OUGHT TO BE SHOT
IF HE DOESN'T GO PLACES.

WELL, HERE'S
THE FIRST PLACE,
HELLCAT--

NAVAL AIR STATION,
NORTH ISLAND.

NORTH ISLAND.
THE HELLCATS.

SHOULD I
PINCH MYSELF?

WELL, THANKS A LOT.
YOU'VE BEEN SWELL.

SAY, I'D LIKE TO BE
SEEING YOU SOMETIME.

WE'LL BE SEEING
EACH OTHER.

RIGHT NOW
YOU'D BETTER JUMP
IN THERE AND REPORT.

HA HA! YEAH.

GOOD NIGHT!

HEY, MISS,
WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

YOU'VE COME TO US
WITH TWO THINGS,
MR. DRAKE--

A BIG BUILDUP
AND NO EXPERIENCE--

AND WHAT HAPPENED
TONIGHT

MAKES THE FIRST
OF THOSE LOOK PRETTY SICK
AND PROVES THE SECOND.

JUST WHAT WAS
YOUR IDEA UP THERE?

YOU HEARD THE ORDER
TO BAIL OUT, DIDN'T YOU?

YES, SIR, BUT
I THOUGHT I COULD
BRING HER IN.

HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY
BRING HER IN?

YOU COULDN'T SEE
THE FIELD LIGHTS.

YOU COULDN'T EVEN SEE
YOUR WINGTIPS.

YOU THOUGHT.
WELL, THAT'S SOMETHING...

BECAUSE IN THIS OUTFIT
YOU'VE GOT TO THINK--

MOSTLY FAST, BUT FIRST
YOU'VE GOT TO OBEY.

I KNOW THAT, SIR.
I JUST DIDN'T WANT
TO CRASH THAT PLANE,
THAT'S ALL.

IT'S NOT A MATTER
OF WHAT YOU WANT
OR DON'T WANT.
YOU HAD ORDERS.

THE NAVY CAN
BUILD A DOZEN PLANES
FOR EVERY GOOD PILOT
WE CAN FIND TO FLY THEM.

YOU'RE NO GOOD
TO US DEAD.

DOES THAT MAKE
ANY IMPRESSION?

YES, SIR.

GOOD. GLAD
TO HAVE YOU
ABOARD, DRAKE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU'RE THE JUNIOR PILOT
AROUND HERE,

AND YOU'RE
UNDER THE GUN,

SO JUST OBEY ORDERS
AND FLY THE BEST YOU CAN

WITH YOUR EYES OPEN
AND YOUR MOUTH CLOSED.

AYE, AYE, SIR.

YOU'LL FIND A ROOM
READY FOR YOU IN B.O.Q.

I'VE HAD SOME DRY
THINGS LAID OUT--

A PAIR OF PAJAMAS
AND AN OUTFIT
FOR TOMORROW.

NOW, I SUGGEST YOU HIT
YOUR BUNK EARLY BECAUSE
YOU'RE IN FOR A TOUGH WEEK.

WE PUT YOU THROUGH IT
AROUND HERE BEFORE
YOU TAKE YOUR PLACE
IN SQUADRON FORMATION.

YES, SIR, THANK YOU,
BUT I WAS WONDERING

IF I COULDN'T MEET
SOME OF MY NEW
SHIPMATES TONIGHT.

WE'VE HEARD
A LOT ABOUT THEM
AT PENSACOLA.

OH, I DON'T KNOW WHY NOT.
YOU'LL PROBABLY FIND
SOME OF THEM

IN THE OFFICERS' LOUNGE.
GOOD NIGHT, DRAKE.

GOOD NIGHT, SIR.

OH, DRAKE.

IF IT WILL MAKE YOU
SLEEP ANY BETTER,

THERE ISN'T A MAN
IN THE FLEET

WHO COULD HAVE LANDED
THAT PLANE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU, SIR.

IT WILL.

THAT'S RUBBER.
LET'S GO TO BED.

SAY, I'VE
JUST MET HIM--
PENSACOLA!

HE'S GOING IN
TO REPORT
TO THE SKIPPER.

WHAT'S HE LIKE?

OH, HE'S A WELL-PUT-UP
SORT OF A FELLA.

KIND OF HANDSOME.
I'M SORT OF HIS HERO.

WHY? DID YOU MAKE
A FACE FOR HIM?

(LAUGHTER)

SO YOU'RE HIS HERO.
YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE
THAT COUNTS.

WELL, MAYBE THE OTHERS
COUNT, TOO,

BUT I SORT OF STAND OUT
A BIT IN HIS MIND.

I GUESS HE'D LIKE TO MEET
THE REST OF YOU.

PERHAPS WE OUGHT TO GET
INTO FULL DRESS UNIFORMS
WITH SWORDS.

NOW, LISTEN, THAT GUY
JUST FELL IN THE DRINK

IN A PARACHUTE.
GIVE HIM A BREAK.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO
DO ANYTHING TO HIM.

I JUST CAN'T
WAIT TO MEET A GUY
WHO THINKS HE CAN
SIT DOWN IN SOUP.

GOOD EVENING.
MY NAME'S DRAKE.

I WAS HOPING
I'D FIND
SOMEBODY AROUND.

HA HA! I'M
SORRY I MESSED
THINGS UP
GETTING IN.

HI, PENSACOLA.
I'M BANNING.

HOW ARE YOU,
BANNING?

THIS IS PAYNE.
HI.

TOWNSEND.
HI,
TOWNSEND.

AND BUSH.
HOW ARE YOU,
BUSH?

MARTIN YOU'VE MET.
YEAH, SURE.

MR. RHODES, OUR
EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
DUSTY RHODES?

ALL ROADS ARE DUSTY
TO A SAILOR.
HOW ARE YOU?

FINE, THANKS.

AND WOODWARD,
FROST.

FROST, GLAD
TO KNOW YOU.

AND THE REST--
PENSACOLA.

All: HI, PENSACOLA!

I GUESS I DON'T
HAVE TO TELL YOU HOW
GLAD I AM TO BE ABOARD.

ARE YOU?

DIDN'T SEEM SO
AN HOUR AGO.

WHY?

THAT LANDING
YOU TRIED.

THOUGHT YOU WERE
TIRED OF IT ALL.

I THINK I COULD
HAVE LET DOWN
THROUGH THAT SOUP.

(MEN MURMURING)

WELL, LET'S HEAR IT.
WHAT COULD YOU SEE
UP THERE?

JERRY, MAYBE YOU'RE
WASTING YOUR TIME
WITH THAT FOG DEVICE.

SAY, IF YOU WANT TO BRING
ANYTHING IN THROUGH FOG,

JUST STICK PENSACOLA
IN THE COCKPIT.
HE'LL GET IT DOWN.

YEAH, NEW KIND
OF A ROBOT,

ONLY THIS ONE
TALKS.

NOW WAIT A MINUTE.

AFTER SPOTTING THE CONTROL
TOWER, THE NEXT APPROACH
WOULD HAVE BEEN A CINCH.

A CINCH?
HOW COME?

YEAH, TELL US
ABOUT IT.

WELL, HAVING SPOTTED
THE TOWER,

I SWING AROUND, CLIMBING
UNTIL I'M ON A REVERSE COURSE,

AND I HOLD THAT
FOR ONE MINUTE.

THEN I CHANGE COURSE,
45 TO THE RIGHT,

AND HOLD THAT
FOR 10 SECONDS.

THEN I SWING LEFT
UNTIL I'M ON MY
ORIGINAL HEADING.

YEAH,
AND THEN WHAT?

WELL, THEN I'M HEADING
BACK TO THE TOWER,

AND CLEAR OF IT,
SO I LET DOWN.

THEN PRETTY SOON,
THERE'S A CLEAR SPOT
IN THE FOG,

AND I SET DOWN
RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE
OF IT.

THERE'S NOTHING
TO IT.

WAIT A MINUTE.
WHERE DID THE CLEAR
SPOT COME FROM?

DID YOU BRING IT
WITH YOU?

ME? NO!

THE WARMTH OF
THE HELLCATS'
RECEPTION.

IT BURNED RIGHT
THROUGH THE FOG.

(DOOR SLAMS)

WAIT A MINUTE.
I'M CONFUSED.

I THOUGHT WE WERE
DOING THE RIBBING.

OH, STITCHY, DID YOU
WALK INTO THAT ONE.

DID I? LOOKS LIKE
WE BOUGHT SOMETHING
FROM PENSACOLA.

LET'S HOPE WHEN WE GET HIM UP
ON THE TARGET RANGE,

HE CAN SHOOT OFF A MACHINE GUN
AS WELL AS HE CAN HIS FACE.

LET'S GO TO BED.

(LAUGHTER)

SAY, WHAT'S
PENSACOLA DOING

OUT THERE
ON THE LINE?

HE'S GOT EVERYTHING
ON BUT HIS CHUTE.

SO, DUSTY, IS DRAKE
FLYING WITH US
THIS MORNING

WITH ONLY 5 DAYS
SHAKING DOWN?

SKIPPER WILL
DECIDE THAT.

RELAX, FREDDY.

THE SKIPPER ISN'T GOING
TO SEND UP A GREEN MAN

WHEN WE'RE SHOOTING
FOR A RECORD SCORE.

SAY, AREN'T WE FIRING
MACHINE GUN PRACTICE
THIS MORNING?

WE?

DON'T I FLY
WITH THE SQUADRON
TODAY, MR. RHODES?

HERE, DRINK THIS.
YOU'LL FEEL BETTER.

IT'S UP TO
THE SKIPPER,

AND I'M AFRAID
YOU'LL NEED

A LITTLE MORE
TIME SHAKING
DOWN.

MAYBE, BUT I'D
SURE LIKE TO KNOW

WHAT A GUY HAS TO DO
AROUND HERE TO GET
OUT OF THE FIRST GRADE.

EXPERIENCE.
THAT'S ALL YOU NEED,
PENSACOLA.

YEAH, YOU CAN'T FLY
WITH THE SQUADRON
WITHOUT EXPERIENCE,

AND YOU CAN'T GET
EXPERIENCE

WITHOUT FLYING
WITH THE SQUADRON.

WHEN YOU WERE PRACTICING
CARRIER LANDINGS

OUT ON THE FIELD
A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO,

YOU LOOKED MIGHTY CUTE
WITH YOUR PLANE STANDING
ON ITS NOSE.

I CUT WHEN HE
SIGNALED. HE WAS
THE LANDING OFFICER.

AIN'T WHAT
MR. PAYNE THOUGHT.

WHAT SAY YOU,
MR. PAYNE?

I SAY, PIPE DOWN,
NUISANCE.

WHEN YOU'VE HANDLED
GREEN PILOTS ON CARRIER
LANDINGS, YOU CAN TALK,

AND WHEN GREEN PILOTS
LEARN HOW TO MAKE
CARRIER LANDINGS,

THEY CAN TALK.

THAT'S SWELL.
THAT'S FINE.

FIRST I CAN'T SHOOT,
NOW I CAN'T TALK.

I'M SURE GLAD
I CAME.

LOOK, MR. PAYNE, WAS
IT MY FAULT OR YOURS
ON THAT SIGNAL?

YOU LOOK.

WILL YOU FORGET YOU
KNOCKED THEM ALL DEAD
AT PENSACOLA?

YOU'RE IN THE FLEET NOW,
WORKING ON ACTUAL WAR
PROBLEMS.

IT SO HAPPENS, WE'RE FIRING
IN COMPETITION THIS MORNING
FOR A RECORD SCORE.

A MAN A WEEK OUT OF PENSACOLA
ISN'T READY FOR MY MONEY,

AND IF I WAS THE SKIPPER,
YOU WOULDN'T SHOOT TODAY.

WELL, THAT'S ONE BREAK
FOR ME. YOU'RE NOT
THE SKIPPER.

P.A.: ALL PILOTS, FIGHTING 8,
MAN YOUR PLANES.

HERE WE GO.
EVERYBODY OUT.
RUN ALONG.

CAPTAIN GARY?

YEAH?

I WAS HOPING I MIGHT BE
FLYING WITH THE SQUADRON
TODAY.

I'VE HAD A GOOD SHAKING DOWN.
I'D LIKE A CHANCE TO GET
MY TEETH INTO THINGS.

WHY, OF COURSE
YOU'RE FLYING.

THIS IS SQUADRON
COMPETITION.

WIN OR LOSE,
WE DO IT WITH ALL
HANDS IN THE AIR.

THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU FLY NUMBER TWO
IN MY SECTION.

GOOD GOING,
PENSACOLA.

LET'S CRACK
THE RECORD.

OH, JUST A MINUTE, SIR.

OH.

UH-UH. OH-OH.
THERE WE ARE.

THERE'S YOUR TARGET,
SIR.

JUST A FABRIC SLEEVE
MAKING A COUPLE HUNDRED KNOTS
ON THE END OF A LINE.

IT AIN'T SO HARD TO HIT
ONCE YOU GET THE KNACK OF IT.

REMEMBER HOW IT WAS
AT PENSACOLA?

YOU GOT TO LEAD IT, SIR.
YOU KNOW, JUST LIKE
SHOOTING DUCKS.

AND DON'T WORRY
ABOUT YOUR SCORE.

TAKE IT EASY THE FIRST
TIME, I ALWAYS SAY.

YOUR SHIPMATES WILL CARRY
YOU THE FIRST PRACTICE
OR TWO.

PRETTY GOOD,
ARE THEY?

GOOD? THEY'VE NEVER
BEEN BEATEN.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE
SOME REAL SHOOTING.

MAYBE WE'LL ALL SEE
SOME SHOOTING.

MAYBE WHEN THAT
SLEEVE GETS BACK

YOU'LL BE ABLE
TO COOK IT FOR
SPAGHETTI.

Bill: SQUADRON, RIGHT ECHELON.

DRAKE, YOU CUT THAT TOO CLOSE.

WATCH YOURSELF.

PLANE TWO, AYE, AYE.

(GUNFIRE)

(GUNFIRE)

(GUNFIRE)

DRAKE, JUMP WHILE YOU
STILL HAVE ALTITUDE!

BAIL OUT, PENSACOLA!
FOR PETE'S SAKE, BAIL OUT!

PLANE TWO,
DRAKE IN PLANE TWO.

PLANE TWO, AYE, AYE.

IS YOUR PLANE ALL RIGHT?
ANY DAMAGE?

EVERYTHING'S
ALL RIGHT, SIR.

FIGHTING 8
FROM COMMANDER FIGHTING 8,
RETURN TO BASE.

PLANES 2 AND 3,
REMAIN IN FIRING AREA.
PLANE 2.

PLANE TWO, AYE, AYE.

YOU HIT THAT SLEEVE
BECAUSE YOU MADE
A BAD APPROACH.

STAY OUT HERE A HALF
AN HOUR AND SIMULATE
APPROACHES.

PLANE 3 WILL ACT
AS ESCORT.

PLANE TWO, AYE, AYE.

LOOK, I MESSED THAT UP
GOOD, I KNOW, BUT IT
WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

UH-HUH. YOU WERE
READY, ALL RIGHT,
PENSACOLA.

I SAID IT WON'T
HAPPEN AGAIN.

THAT'S RIGHT.
YOU SAID IT.

IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
WE'RE THROUGH COMPETITION
FIRING UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

YOU CAN'T OUT-TALK
THE SCOREBOARD, KID.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO
DO ALL THE SHOOTING,
DID YOU?

WE WERE UP THERE,
TOO, YOU KNOW.

HASN'T ANYBODY IN THIS OUTFIT
EVER MADE A MISTAKE BEFORE?

YEAH, YEAH.
FORGET ABOUT IT.

I DID ALL RIGHT
ON THE FIRST RUN.
I HIT THAT SLEEVE PLENTY.

YEAH, AND ON THE SECOND,
YOU MISTOOK IT
FOR A NIGHTSHIRT.

YOU REALIZE YOU DARN NEAR
KILLED YOURSELF?

IT WAS OUR
MISTAKE, NOT HIS.

WE SHOULD HAVE
FIGURED OUT
SOME WAY

TO KEEP HIM
ON THE GROUND.

MAYBE IT WAS YOUR MISTAKE
FOR ASKING FOR ME
IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WAIT A MINUTE.

YOU ASK FOR YOUR MEN
IN THIS OUTFIT, DON'T YOU?

MOSTLY.

WELL, THEN YOU ASKED
FOR ME, DIDN'T YOU?

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE
WHO ASKED FOR WHO?

COME ON. WHO'S
GOING TO CHOW?

I'M GOING.

I WANT TO GET
THIS STRAIGHT.

WAS I ASKED FOR
IN THIS OUTFIT,
OR WASN'T I?

TELL ME.
WAS I ASKED FOR?

WELL, PENSACOLA,

SINCE YOU'RE
DEMANDING...

NO.

Man: WELL, I'LL THROW
THE DIAMOND IN.

Jerry: OH, WHAT'S
THE POINT IN ARGUING?

ANYBODY THAT READS
THE PAPERS KNOWS
THAT McCALLUM

WAS THE BRITISH FLIER
WHO BOMBED THE BRIDGES
BACK OF DUNKIRK.

I DON'T
QUESTION IT.
I JUST SAY

PATTERSON,
HIS SQUADRON
COMMANDER,

LED THE WAY.

3 BUCKS SAYS
McCALLUM WENT IN FIRST,
AND I'LL PROVE--

WHY DON'T YOU CUT OUT
THE ARGUMENT? YOU SOUND
JUST LIKE PENSACOLA.

DON'T START KNOCKING
A MAN WHO ISN'T HERE
TO DEFEND HIMSELF.

AND WOULD HE DEFEND
HIMSELF?

THE HELLCATS AREN'T
EXACTLY PURRING OVER THEIR
NEW CADET, ARE THEY?

SURE. THERE'S NOTHING
WRONG WITH PENSACOLA
THAT TIME WON'T CURE.

REALLY? AND WHEN WILL YOU
GENTLEMEN STOP WEARING YOUR
HEARTS ON A TARGET SLEEVE?

OUCH.

(CHUCKLES)

OH, THANK YOU.

HEY, WHAT HAVE
I DONE TO BE
PROMOTED?

THIS IS
MR. RHODES'.

SORRY, SIR.

(TUNING IN A RADIO STATION)

Announcer: THIS IS FOGGY FRENCH
AND HIS LYRICAL LADS

ABOUT TO SWING INTO AN HOUR
OF RHYTHMIC MELODY

AT THAT POPULAR DANCETORIUM,
THE REGENCY BALLROOM,

IN THE HEART OF LOS ANGELES.

WE GOT A BIG, HAPPY CROWD
TONIGHT, FOLKS, A TYPICAL
SATURDAY NIGHT CROWD.

EVERY GIRLFRIEND'S GOT
A BOYFRIEND--

HEY, WHAT ARE
YOU TURNING OUT
THE LIGHTS FOR?

WHAT IS IT AROUND HERE,
BEDTIME?

OH, NO, THANK YOU,
SIR. SATURDAY NIGHT
NO BEDTIME.

SOME TAKE OFF UNIFORM,
PUT ON CIVILIAN SUIT,
GO OUT, SEE FRIENDS.

PRETTY SOON MR. DRAKE
HAVE PLENTY FINE
FRIENDS, TOO. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

SAY, MR. DRAKE
JUST REMEMBER
HE GOT FINE FRIEND.

WHY, IT'S THE HELLCAT.

REMEMBER ME?

OF COURSE.
COME IN.

I WONDERED
WHEN YOU WERE
GOING TO CALL.

THANKS. I WOULD HAVE
BEEN AROUND SOONER,

ONLY IT HASN'T BEEN
FOGGY ENOUGH TO FIND
THE HOUSE.

DEAD RECKONING'S
GOOD ENOUGH FOR MOST
PILOTS, MR. DRAKE.

COME ALONG IN. I'M SO
GLAD TO SEE YOU.

I WAS WONDERING,
IF YOU WEREN'T DOING
ANYTHING TONIGHT,

MAYBE YOU'D LIKE
TO PUT ON YOUR
DANCING SHOES

AND COME OUT
WITH ME SOMEWHERE.

YOU WANT ME TO GO
DANCING WITH YOU?

YEAH. YOU SEE,
I DON'T KNOW MANY
PEOPLE AROUND HERE.

DON'T KNOW ANYONE,
REALLY, SO I THOUGHT

MAYBE YOU'D BE KIND
ENOUGH TO SORT OF
SHOW ME THE TOWN.

THAT'S AWFULLY SWEET
OF YOU, MR. DRAKE,

BUT I'M AFRAID YOU'LL HAVE
TO GET AN AUTHORIZATION
FROM COMMANDER GARY FIRST.

THE SKIPPER? WHAT'S HE
GOT TO DO WITH IT?

YOU HAVEN'T EVEN
LEARNED MY NAME.

YOU DON'T KNOW
WHO I AM, DO YOU?

THINGS WERE HAPPENING
KIND OF FAST THE OTHER
NIGHT, WEREN'T THEY?

WITH ALL THAT FOG
AND ME MAKING A MESS
OUT OF YOUR CARPET

AND YOU DRIVING OFF
SO FAST.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

WELL, TAKE A DEEP BREATH,
HELLCAT. THE NAME'S GARY.

DID YOU SAY GARY?

OFTEN DESCRIBED
AS THE SKIPPER'S WIFE.

OH, IT ALL FITS TOGETHER
PERFECTLY.

A NEW PILOT ALWAYS MAKES
A DUTY CALL ON HIS SQUADRON
COMMANDER AND HIS WIFE.

SO COME ON AND JOIN
THE OTHERS.

THAT'S VERY NICE
OF YOU, MRS. GARY,

BUT I HAVEN'T
GOT ANY RIGHT

TO COME BARGING IN
ON YOUR PARTY
LIKE THIS.

OH, THIS IS NO PARTY.
IT'S JUST A HOUSEFUL
OF HELLCATS.

HELLCATS?

YES. THIS IS SORT OF
THEIR HANGAR, OFF DUTY.

YOURS, TOO.
ANYTIME.

WHENEVER ANYONE
IN THE SQUADRON FEELS
LIKE IT, HE JUST DROPS IN.

I DO APPRECIATE
THAT, MRS. GARY,

BUT THIS WASN'T
REALLY A DUTY CALL.

I'D RATHER MAKE IT
SOME OTHER TIME.

OH, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE
SENSITIVE, ARE YOU,

BECAUSE YOU TRIED TO MAKE OFF
WITH THE COMMANDER'S LADY?

NO, NO.
IT'S NOT THAT.

WHATEVER IT IS,
I WOULDN'T LET IT SPOIL
YOUR SATURDAY EVENING.

I'M SORRY. I'D RATHER
CALL SOME OTHER TIME
IF YOU DON'T MIND.

BUT YOU SEE,
I DO MIND.

AND I'M SURPRISED,
BUT NOT QUITE PLEASANTLY.

AMONG THE TRADITIONS
OF THE SERVICE, MR. DRAKE,

IS ONE PRESCRIBING
CERTAIN COURTESIES
FOR JUNIOR OFFICERS.

(DOOR OPENS)

Jerry: I TELL YOU,
IT WAS JIM McCALLUM,

AND I CAN'T WASTE ANY MORE
OF MY TIME ARGUING.

HI, PENSACOLA.
HOW ARE YOU?

JERRY, YOU'RE
NOT LEAVING?

I CAN'T HANG AROUND HERE
ALL NIGHT WRANGLING
WITH THAT APE.

I GOT WORK TO DO
ON THE DEVICE.
GOOD NIGHT, YIPPY.

YEAH, BUT WAIT.
MR. DRAKE JUST DROPPED IN
TO PAY US A DUTY CALL.

MAYBE HE KNOWS SOMETHING
ABOUT IT.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT BRITISH
PILOT BOMBED 3 BRIDGES
BACK AT DUNKIRK,

MAKING POSSIBLE
THE EVACUATION
OF 4 DIVISIONS?

SURE HE DOES!

HE READS EVERY WORD
OF AVIATION WAR NEWS
PRINTED.

WHO WAS IT,
AND WAS HE ALONE?

ALL ALONE.
IT WAS McCALLUM,
THE NEW ZEALANDER.

RIGHT!
I KNEW IT WAS!

SO DID I!
YOU MUST COME IN
AND BACK US UP!

YEP. I GOT TO GET
THIS ARGUMENT
SETTLED TONIGHT.

I GOT A NEW ONE
TO START FIRST THING
IN THE MORNING.

HEY, MUGGER,
HERE'S PENSACOLA,
THE FLYING ALMANAC,

AND HE SAYS IT WAS
McCALLUM ALONE.

AYE, AYE, SIR.

EVENING,
DRAKE.

HI, PENSACOLA.

HIYA, PENSACOLA.

HIYA, PENSACOLA.

GLAD TO SEE YOU, DRAKE.
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME,
WON'T YOU?

YOU'LL FIND A DRINK
RIGHT THERE ON THE TABLE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

NOW, TELL MARTIN
IS WAS McCALLUM
WITHOUT PATTERSON.

IT WAS
McCALLUM WHAT?

BRIDGES, DUNKIRK.

OH, YES. IT WAS
JAMES McCALLUM.

WITH HIS PLANE FULL
OF BULLET HOLES,

HE GOT BACK TO DOVER
AND CRASHED.
BROKE A LEG.

YOU'RE RIGHT.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
McCALLUM. NEW ZEALAND.

THEN WHY SAY
IT WAS PATTERSON?

JUST TO GET YOU RED
IN THE FACE, JERRY.
THAT'S ALL.

SAVES TURNING
THE HEAT ON.

HOW ARE YOU,
PENSACOLA?

HE'S FINE,

AND FOR WINNING
THAT SMALL BET,
HE GETS A DRINK.

MISS BLAIRE,
THIS IS MR. BLAKE,
OUR LATEST ARRIVAL.

HI, MR. DRAKE.

HOW DO YOU DO?

MISS TURNER,
MR. DRAKE.

HOW DO YOU DO?
MISS TURNER.

MRS. FROST.

HOW DO YOU DO?
HOW DO YOU DO?

THIS WILL OPEN YOUR EYES,
PENSACOLA. HELLCAT SPECIAL.

THANK YOU.

WHAT'S THIS?

GLAD TO SEE YOU
ABOARD, DRAKE.

GLAD TO BE ABOARD, SIR.

Jerry: JUNK! STUBBORN,
BLASTED PIECE OF JUNK!

SPIKE, GET ME AN AX.

AN AX, SIR?

NO, TWO AXES.

WE PUT A WHOLE YEAR
INTO THAT DARNED
INVENTION--

EVENINGS, NIGHTS,
SUNDAYS, HOLIDAYS--
AND IT WON'T WORK!

SO LET'S HAVE ONE GLORIOUS
5 MINUTES OF RIOTOUS FUN
AND BUST IT WIDE OPEN.

GET TWO AXES.

SEEMS KIND OF
A PITY, SIR.

AFTER A MAN SPENT
A WHOLE YEAR

WITH SOMETHING
THAT WON'T WORK,

HE GETS A KIND OF
RESPECT FOR IT.

OH, HOW CAN A MAN
BE AS STUPID AS I AM?

HA HA HA!

HEY, JERRY, THINGS
CAN'T BE AS BAD
AS ALL THAT.

THE SUN'S SHINING,
ISN'T IT? THE BIRDS
ARE SINGING.

WHAT'S THE USE
OF GETTING SORE?

LOOK, PENSACOLA,
MAYBE THE BIRDS
ARE SHINING FOR YOU.

YOU'RE A HELLCAT,
FULL-FLEDGED,

ON THE GROUND
AND IN THE AIR.
GREAT!

BUT WILL YOU TAKE
THAT SICKENING SMILE
AWAY FROM HERE?

WE'RE GOING TO
HAVE A WAKE.

AH, COME ON, NOW.
WHAT'S WRONG? FOG
DEVICE WON'T WORK?

NO, THE FOG DEVICE
WON'T WORK.

SO JUST STAND BACK,
WILL YOU, WHILE I
KICK IT TO DEATH.

WAIT A MINUTE.

DON'T GET ALL LATHERED
UP OVER SOME LITTLE
BUG IN THE THING.

YOU DON'T WANT TO
SMASH IT UNTIL YOU'VE
CHECKED IT ALL OVER.

MAYBE YOU GOT A LOOSE
CONNECTION, LIKE IN MY
HEADPHONES HERE.

DO YOU THINK
I'D TAKE IT UP

FOR A FINAL CLEAR
WEATHER FLIGHT TEST
WITHOUT CHECKING IT?

I'VE TRIPLE-CHECKED,
AND THE DIRECTION NEEDLE
STILL WON'T STAY

ON THE REFERENCE LINE.
IT'S GOT THE CREEPS
ALL OVER THE DIAL!

THERE JUST MUST BE
SOMETHING WRONG.

(WHISTLES)
NOW, THAT'S QUITE
A DEDUCTION.

THE WHOLE THING'S WRONG,
YOU DOPE!

IT'S SO WRONG,
I'M GOING TO PUT IT
OUT OF ITS MISERY.

WAIT A MINUTE.
LET ME GET IN THERE
AND LOOK IT OVER.

SOUNDS LIKE INTERFERENCE
ON YOUR FREQUENCY.

YOU CAN'T JUST GIVE THIS
WHOLE THING THE PITCH NOW.

IF IT WORKS, IT'LL BE
A CREDIT TO THE WHOLE
SQUADRON.

WILL YOU GET OUT
OF THERE?

BUT MAYBE I CAN FIX IT.

FIX IT? AFTER I'VE
WORKED A YEAR, YOU'RE
GOING TO FIX IT?

WHAT MAKES YOU THINK
YOU CAN FIX IT?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW
ABOUT RADIO BEAM
TRANSMISSION?

WHEN I WAS A KID,
I WAS ALWAYS FOOLING
AROUND WITH RADIO.

HAD A WILDCAT SET
IN THE BARN.

I WAS ALWAYS BUTTING IN
ON COMMERCIAL STATIONS.

I KNOW A LOT
ABOUT INTERFERENCE.

YOU CERTAINLY DO!

I HAVEN'T
BUMPED INTO SO MUCH
INTERFERENCE

SINCE I PLAYED
AGAINST NOTRE DAME.

SAY, WAIT.
SHUT UP A SECOND.

NO, NO, NO. DON'T
SHUT UP. GO ON
TALKING, BABBLE.

OUT OF THE MOUTH
OF BABES.

COME ON, SAY
SOMETHING, ANYTHING.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO
MAKE SENSE.

LOOK, WE'RE ONLY
15 MILES FROM THE MEXICAN
BORDER, RIGHT?

THAT'S PERFECT.
MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.
12 MILES. WHAT OF IT?

WELL, YOU'VE CHECKED
EVERYTHING ELSE AROUND HERE.

WHAT IF THERE WERE SOME
MEXICAN KIDS FOOLING AROUND

WITH AMATEUR RADIO SETS
THE WAY I USED TO DO?
YOU KNOW, SENDING SIGNALS,

BUTTING IN ON THE REGULAR
WAVE BAND, SETTING UP
INTERFERENCE?

SHUT UP A MINUTE!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING
WITH THOSE AXES?

YOU ORDERED
THEM, SIR.

DROP THEM!

WE'RE GOING TO
TEAR OUT THAT PANEL!

MR. DRAKE'S
DOUBLE-CROSSED ME
AND HAD AN IDEA.

STAND BY, PENSACOLA.
ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES
AND KEEP TALKING.

Man: FLYING IS SECURED
FOR THE NIGHT, SIR,
ON ACCOUNT OF THE FOG.

* OLD SAILORS NEVER DIE,
NEVER DIE, NEVER DIE *

* OLD SAILORS NEVER DIE *

* THEY JUST SAIL AWAY *

THAT YOU, SPIKE?

YES.

WHERE'S MR. DRAKE?
DID YOU FIND HIM?

HE WENT DOWN TO
SAY GOOD-BYE TO
CAPTAIN GARY, SIR.

HE MUST HAVE STARTED
BEFORE THE FOG CAME IN,
OR HE'D HAVE BEEN RIGHT HERE.

Drake: JERRY!

PENSACOLA, COME ON!
HURRY! WHERE HAVE
YOU BEEN?

I'VE BEEN OVER
AT THE SKIPPER'S.

LORNA SENT YOU A MESSAGE.
SHE'D LIKE TO HAVE YOU
DROP BY BEFORE HE LEAVES.

I'LL HAVE PLENTY
OF TIME FOR THAT.

STANDING BY FOR
A MONTH FOR A GOOD
PEA-SOUP FOG,

AND WHEN WE GET IT,
YOU'RE MISSING.

WE'LL HAVE THE WHOLE
TEST DONE IN HALF
AN HOUR.

LOOK AT IT!
IT'S A MONK'S
PRAYER!

WAIT A MINUTE.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FLY
IN THIS GOO.

WHY NOT? WITH THIS
APPARATUS, IT'S CLEAR
AS A BELL OUT THERE.

DON'T WASTE TIME
TALKING. COME ON.

LOOK, I KNOW THE CLEAR
WEATHER TEST WORKED
ALL RIGHT,

BUT WHY DON'T WE TRY IT
IN A TWO-SEATER BEFORE
RISKING THIS STUFF?

THEN I'LL BE AT THE REAR
CONTROLS JUST IN CASE.

I INVENTED IT FOR FOG,
DIDN'T I?

ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING
TO FLY IT IN FOG!

SPIKE,
ANYBODY AROUND?

ALL CLEAR, SIR.

LET'S GO. AND BOY,
WHEN WE GET THROUGH,

THERE'S GOING TO BE
A RAILROAD TRACK RUNNING
RIGHT DOWN FROM THE SKY.

NO MORE GETTING CAUGHT
ON TOP WITH GAS
RUNNING LOW

AND NO PLACE
TO SIT DOWN.

THIS THING'S
SORT OF GOT ME.

WHEN I THINK OF WHAT
IT MEANS, WHAT IT CAN
DO FOR AVIATION,

I GET THE SHAKES.

LET'S MAKE A LAST
CHECK.

PERFECT.
SHUT HER DOWN.

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LETTING
YOURSELF IN FOR, DON'T YOU,

MAKING THIS TEST
WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION?

LISTEN, I'VE GOT
AUTHORIZATION
FOR EVERYTHING

BUT A TEST FLIGHT
UNDER ACTUAL FOG
CONDITIONS.

NO USE EVEN ASKING
FOR THAT.

THEY'D GRAB THE EQUIPMENT
RIGHT OUT OF OUR HANDS,

TURN IT OVER TO
AN EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY
FOR FURTHER SHOP TESTS,

AND FINALLY FLY IT WITH ONE
OF THEIR OWN PILOTS.

AND THERE'S NOTHING
IN OUR BLUEPRINTS

THAT CALLS FOR
ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

YOU'RE JUST BEGGING
FOR A COURT-MARTIAL.

WHO CARES,
IF IT WORKS?

ALL RIGHT,
YOU'RE THE DOCTOR.

SPIKE, OPEN UP!

AYE, AYE!

LET'S ROLL HER OUT.

YOU WARMED HER UP?

SHE'S HOT, SIR.
OIL'S 50, HEAD'S 150.
SHE'S OK.

THANK YOU.

LOAD THE STARTER.

WELL, GOOD LUCK.
I WISH I WERE
GOING ALONG.

NOT TONIGHT,
PENSACOLA.

THIS IS OUR HONEYMOON.

I GUESS I DON'T
HAVE TO TELL YOU,

YOU'RE THE FIRST PERSON
THAT EVER TOOK THIS THING
SERIOUSLY.

YOU'VE BEEN
A LOT OF HELP.

WE WOULDN'T BE TAKING OFF
IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU.

Spike: READY, SIR.

HERE IT GOES.

WHAT'S THAT?

SOME FOOL
TRYING TO TAKE OFF
IN THIS WEATHER?

HE MADE IT, SPIKE.
HE'S UP.

COME ON, LET'S GET THIS
OUT NEAR THE RUNWAY.

HE'S HEADING DOWNWIND.
HE'LL BE TURNING
IN A MINUTE.

HE'S STILL CLIMBING.

EVERYTHING WORKING
ALL RIGHT?

YES, SIR.
HAVE A LOOK.

IS THAT ONE
OF OUR PLANES?

IT ISN'T
A HUMMINGBIRD.

WHO IS IT,
AND WHAT'S HE
TRYING TO DO?

LIEUTENANT BANNING, SIR.

HE'S TESTING
A FOG-LANDING DEVICE.

WHY, HE CAN'T DO THAT.
HE MIGHT GET KILLED.

YEAH, SO MIGHT THE WRIGHT
BROTHERS AT KITTY HAWK.

HAVE THE AMBULANCE
AND THE CRASH TRUCKS
STAND BY.

AYE, AYE, SIR.

STAND BY.
HE'S TURNING.

STAND BY, SPIKE.
HE'S COMING IN.

(ENGINE SPUTTERING)

THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT
TO ME.

LOOK OUT!

WELL, I HOPE HE'S NOT
SO SURE OF THAT GADGET THAT
HE LEFT HIS CHUTE AT HOME.

HE'S GOT HIS CHUTE, ALL RIGHT,
BUT HE WON'T NEED IT.

HE'S JUST LINING THINGS UP.
I'M NOT WORRYING.

WELL, I AM.

IS THAT OUIJA BOARD
PUTTING IT OUT ALL RIGHT?

EVERYTHING LOOKS
ALL RIGHT HERE, SIR.

STAND BY, SPIKE.
HE'S TURNING.

HE'S HEADING BACK.

HE'S COMING IN TOO STEEP.

IS EVERYTHING
WORKING ALL RIGHT?

YES, SIR.

(SIREN)

(QUIETLY)
THE DIRECTION NEEDLE.

SOMETHING WRONG.

IT'S ALL YOURS,
PENSACOLA.

I DIDN'T GIVE IT
A CHANCE.

I DIDN'T TRUST IT.

IT'LL WORK.
YOU'RE GOING TO
LICK IT.

WHERE'S YIPPY?

WON'T SOMEBODY PLEASE
GET YIPPY?

HANG ON TO YOURSELF,
DARLING. TIGHT.

HE'S BADLY HURT.

HE'S...

THE DOCTORS DON'T
GIVE HIM MUCH CHANCE.

P.A.: COMMANDER GARY,
REPORT TO SCENE OF CRASH.

COMMANDER GARY, REPORT
TO SCENE OF CRASH.

LORNA...

I KNOW. YOU'VE
GOT TO GO.

IT'S HIT ALL AROUND YOU,
DARLING, AND YOU'VE SHOWN
THE REST HOW TO TAKE IT.

IF IT'S YOUR TURN NOW
WHEN THE FLAG'S AT HALF-MAST,
KEEP IT FLYING.

YES, BILL.

PENSACOLA.

THAT'S IT?

JUST NOW.

HE DIDN'T REGAIN
CONSCIOUSNESS.

WILL IT...WILL IT HELP ANY
TO KNOW THAT HIS LAST THOUGHT
WAS FOR YOU?

HE KEPT ASKING FOR YOU
IN THE AMBULANCE. HE WANTED
TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.

AND THEN...
JUST AT THE END,

HE SAID, "TELL YIPPY
EVERYTHING'S ALL RIGHT."

I ONLY KNEW HIM 6 WEEKS,

BUT HE WAS THE BEST FRIEND
I EVER HAD.

HE WAS
MY BEST FRIEND
ALL MY LIFE.

ISN'T THERE SOMETHING
I CAN DO?

DON'T FIGHT IT.
I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.

OH, GOD.

SHE WORKS, SPIKE!
THAT'S ALL SHE NEEDED.

(SNAPS FINGERS)

10 DAYS TOO LATE.

JUST A COUPLE OF CONDENSERS
AND 100 KILOCYCLES CHANGE
IN FREQUENCY.

THAT'S ALL THAT WAS NEEDED
TO BRING MR. BANNING
SAFELY HOME THAT NIGHT.

YEP. YOU'RE RIGHT.

COME ON.
LET'S TRY HER AGAIN.

PENSACOLA?

Alan:
YES, SIR?

WE'RE GOING OVER
TO MRS. GARY'S. WOULD
YOU LIKE TO COME ALONG?

YEAH, I
CERTAINLY WOULD,

BUT I DIDN'T
THINK SHE WAS
SEEING ANYBODY.

I WAS OVER THERE
YESTERDAY WITH BUSH,

AND THAT'S WHAT
THE CHINA BOY
TOLD US.

SHE'S IN BAD SHAPE,
PENSACOLA,

AND WITH THE SKIPPER AWAY,
WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING
TO HELP HER OUT OF IT.

RIGHT. I'LL MEET YOU
OVER THERE

AS SOON AS WE
GET CLEANED UP.

WHAT'S THAT PANEL
IN THERE?

I'VE REBUILT
JERRY'S FOG DEVICE.

HE ASKED ME
TO GO AHEAD WITH IT.

OH, HE DID, EH?

SKIPPER KNOW
YOU'RE DOING THIS?

WHY, NO, SIR.
HE'S BEEN AWAY.

I WANTED TO
HAVE IT READY
WHEN HE GOT BACK.

I THINK WE'VE
GOT IT LICKED.

I WAS KIND OF HOPING
THAT MAYBE HE'D,
UH...

GET YOU AUTHORIZATION
FOR A TEST?

YES, SIR.

THE MAN'S INSANE!

BETTER FORGET IT,
PENSACOLA.

YOU, TOO, KNOWLES.

AYE, AYE, SIR.

RIGHT, SIR.

BE ALL RIGHT
IF I LEAVE
THE PANEL IN PLACE

FOR THE SKIPPER'S
INSPECTION WHEN
HE GETS BACK?

WELL, IF YOU REALLY THINK
YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING.

BUT NO TEST IN ANY WEATHER
WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY.

AYE, AYE, SIR.

SEE YOU AT LORNA'S.

RIGHT.

THIS YOURS, SPIKE?

NO, SIR.

Spike: THAT
MUST HAVE BELONGED
TO MR. BANNING, SIR.

DO YOU WANT ME
TO TURN IT IN?

NO. I'LL TURN THIS IN
MYSELF.

GOOD EVENING, JUNG.
MRS. GARY HOME?

NO, SIR. NOT HOME.

OH. MAY I WAIT?

LADY NOT COME HOME
FOR LONG TIME.

WELL, I, UH...

I FOUND SOMETHING DOWN
AT THE HANGAR I THINK
SHE MIGHT LIKE TO HAVE.

I HAVE NOTHING MUCH TO DO.
I DON'T MIND WAITING
FOR AN HOUR OR SO.

PLEASE, MISTER,
NO GOOD WAIT.

MRS. GARY
NO SEE ANYBODY.

TELL ME SOMETHING--

IS MRS. GARY TAKING
MR. BANNING'S DEATH
PRETTY HARD?

MISTER, WHEN
COMMANDER GARY
COMING BACK?

SOON?

I DON'T KNOW.

LOOK, JUNG,
HOW IS MRS. GARY?

EVER SINCE
MR. BANNING DEAD,

MRS. GARY NO SEE
ANYBODY.

NO EAT...NO SLEEP...

SOMETIME WALK
ON BEACH ALL NIGHT.

HELLO, MRS. GARY!

GOOD EVENING.

WELL, YOU CERTAINLY
PICKED A SPOT FOR
YOUR EVENING STROLL

THAT'LL GO DOWN
IN HISTORY.

I GUESS THEY'LL JUST
CARVE MY STATUE OUT OF
THAT ROCK OVER THERE

WITH A NICE
LITTLE INSCRIPTION
UNDERNEATH.

"AT THIS SPOT,
ADMIRAL ALAN DRAKE

"CRAWLED OUT OF
THE OCEAN TO JOIN
THE HELLCATS,

HIS HEART FULL OF
HOPE AND HIS MOUTH
FULL OF MINNOWS."

HA HA! I SPOTTED
YOU THROUGH
THE WINDOW--

I LEFT A MESSAGE
THAT I WAS NOT AT HOME.

YES, BUT--

DIDN'T YOU GET THAT
MESSAGE, MR. DRAKE?

SURE, I GOT IT.

LOOK, MRS. GARY,
I--I KNOW IT'S NONE
OF MY BUSINESS,

BUT STAYING
BY YOURSELF ISN'T
HELPING THINGS ANY.

YOU'VE JUST GOT TO
SEE SOMEBODY WHILE
THE SKIPPER'S AWAY.

OTHERWISE,
THE WILLIES
WILL GET YOU--

LITTLE BROWN MEN
WITH EGG ON
THEIR WHISKERS.

LOOK, I JUST BOUGHT
A NEW LITTLE JALOPY.

$25 DOWN AND THE REST
WHEN THEY CATCH ME.

HOW ABOUT TAKING A RIDE
WITH ME TOMORROW?

IT'LL BOUNCE THOSE
WILLIES RIGHT OUT
OF THEIR WHISKERS.

OH, LEAVE ME ALONE.

PLEASE, CAN'T YOU
LEAVE ME ALONE?

I'M SORRY,
MRS. GARY. I GUESS--

WELL, IT WON'T
HAPPEN AGAIN.

OH, I...

I FOUND THIS
IN THE HANGAR.

I THOUGHT PERHAPS
YOU'D LIKE
TO HAVE IT.

WHAT IS IT?

IT WAS JERRY'S.

"ME...YIPPY."

(CRYING)

MRS. GARY, I--I KNOW
I HAD NO RIGHT TO BREAK
IN ON YOU LIKE THIS

WITH A LOT OF BAD JOKES,

BUT YOU AND THE SKIPPER
HAVE BEEN PRETTY
SWELL TO ME--

MY FIRST FRIENDS
AT NORTH ISLAND, AND...

WELL, I DON'T THINK
I'LL EVER FORGET

HOW YOU HELPED ME
TO BECOME A FULL-FLEDGED
HELLCAT.

IT ISN'T RIGHT THAT
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS
ALL ALONE.

PENSACOLA?

I'M SORRY.
FORGIVE ME.

THAT ISN'T
NECESSARY.

I GUESS I DESERVED
WHAT I GOT.

NO, PLEASE.
TRY TO UNDERSTAND.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO BE RUDE.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

I DON'T WANT YOU
TO GO AWAY FEELING HURT.

YOU NEEDN'T THINK
THAT, MRS. GARY.

IT WAS GOOD OF YOU
TO BRING ME THIS.

I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN YOUR
THOUGHTFULNESS AND KINDNESS
THAT NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL.

I DO APPRECIATE IT.

YOU'RE SO MUCH
LIKE JERRY.

THAT'S A PRETTY
NICE THING TO SAY
ABOUT ANYBODY.

WOULD YOU CARE TO...
WALK A LITTLE WAY?

SURE.

(LORNA SCREAMING AND LAUGHING)

THIS TRICK HAS NEVER
BEEN DONE BY ANYONE
IN HIS RIGHT MIND.

NOW WATCH.

HA HA HA!

I'VE BEEN TRAINING
THESE SPOONS UNTIL
THEY'RE ALMOST HUMAN.

THEY FEED OFF
MY RIGHT FOREARM.
LOOK AT THAT.

(CLANK)

HA HA HA!

IS ANYTHING WRONG, SIR?

YEAH. YOUR
SPOONS SKID.

A CUSTOMER EATING
HIS SOUP IS LIABLE TO
HAVE A NASTY ACCIDENT.

I'M SORRY, SIR.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
BRING US TWO SMALL
BRANDIES, WILL YOU?

THANK YOU, SIR.

CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
NEVER MISSED BEFORE.

WHAT IS IT, LORNA?

DID I EMBARRASS YOU,
SPILLING THOSE SPOONS
ALL OVER THE PLACE?

NO.

AH, COME ON NOW.

YOU WERE DOING
A SWELL JOB.

I THOUGHT WE'D
BOUNCED THOSE
WILLIES

RIGHT OUT
OF BUSINESS
THIS LAST WEEK.

IT ISN'T THE WILLIES.
WOULD--WOULD YOU MIND
IF WE LEFT NOW?

I'D LIKE TO GO HOME.

WELL, WHAT'S WRONG,
LORNA?

PLEASE...DON'T ASK
ANY QUESTIONS.

JUST TAKE ME HOME.

WHAT'S WRONG, HONEY?

HAVE YOU
SEEN A GHOST
OR SOMETHING?

WHAT? OH, NO. NO.
NOTHING.

BUT YOU MUST HAVE
SEEN SOMETHING.

A COUPLE OF MINUTES
AGO, YOU LOOKED
OUT THAT WINDOW,

AND YOU TURNED
ALL WHITE,

AND EVER SINCE,
YOU HAVEN'T SAID
A MUMBLIN' WORD.

YOU JUST SIT THERE,
SMOKING AND FROWNING,

FROWNING AND SMOKING.

TELL ME WHAT IT WAS,
HONEY.

WHAT DID YOU SEE
OUT ON THAT PATIO?

NOT A THING.
I JUST THOUGHT I DID.

OH, I MUST HAVE
BEEN CRAZY.

WELL, THAT'S
NOTHING TO SULK
ABOUT, SUGAR.

ALL AVIATORS
ARE KIND OF CRAZY.

(LAUGHTER)

HEY, TAKE GOOD CARE
OF THAT ONE.

DON'T ANYBODY
LEAVE MORE THAN
A $10 TIP.

HA HA HA!

HELLO, STRANGER!

BUT, MUGGER!

EVENING, MRS. G!

WELL, HELLO, LORNA.

HOW ARE YOU?

OH, WE'RE FINE.
WE'RE ALWAYS FINE.

HOW ABOUT YOU,
LORNA?

OH, I'M A LONG WAY
FROM WHERE I WAS
TWO WEEKS AGO.

PENSACOLA'S BEEN
A GREAT HELP.

HELLO,
PENSACOLA!

WE'RE MEETING DUSTY HERE.
HAVE YOU SEEN HIM?

DUSTY? NO.

LOOK, WHY DON'T YOU TWO
COME ON IN AND SIT DOWN
AND HAVE A DRINK WITH US?

DUSTY WOULD BE GLAD TO SEE
LORNA AROUND AGAIN.

SURE. WOULD YOU
LIKE TO, LORNA?

OH, WE'D LOVE TO,
BUT ANOTHER NIGHT.

I HAVE AN EARLY APPOINTMENT
IN THE MORNING. DO YOU MIND?

Stitchy: NOT A BIT.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU OUT
LOOKING SO WELL, LORNA.

IT SURE IS, LADY.

THANK YOU. GOOD NIGHT.
MY BEST TO DUSTY.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT, FELLAS.

SO LONG, PENSACOLA.

I'D STILL LIKE TO KNOW
WHAT'S WRONG--

WHAT I'VE DONE
OR WHAT'S HAPPENED.

YOU'VE DONE
NOTHING WRONG.

YOU CAME ON
AN ERRAND OF MERCY.

YOU'VE BEEN AN ANGEL.
I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU.

HA HA! SOUNDS LIKE
A LAST FAREWELL.

IT IS.

BUT I--I DON'T GET IT.

ARE MY JOKES THAT BAD?

PLEASE DON'T ASK ME
TO EXPLAIN.

I'D RATHER NOT.

GOOD-BYE, PENSACOLA.

Bill: LORNA?

LORNA?

HELLO, JUNG.

GLAD TO SEE YOU
HOME, SIR.

THANK YOU.

DARLING!
IT'S WONDERFUL
TO BE HOME AGAIN.

HOW ARE YOU?

NOT TOO GOOD,
I'M AFRAID.

OH, I'M SORRY.

I WONDERED WHY
YOU WEREN'T OVER AT
THE ISLAND TO MEET ME.

THEY'VE SURE GOT SOME
FINE NEW EQUIPMENT
FOR US IN PHILADELPHIA.

THERE'S A NEW PLANE
THERE THAT'LL MAKE THESE
LOOK LIKE TURTLES.

SHE CLIMBS LIKE A--
WELL, YOU JUST WAIT
TILL YOU SEE IT.

BILL...

I'M GOING AWAY.

WHAT?

WHERE?

EAST. HOME.

WILL YOU GET ME A RESERVATION
ON THE PLANE TODAY?

WHAT BROUGHT THIS ON?

HEY.

YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TAKING
THINGS THE TOUGH WAY,
NOW HAVE YOU?

I'M AFRAID I HAVE.

BILL, I HAVEN'T BEEN
QUITE HONEST WITH YOU.

I'VE TRIED AWFULLY HARD
TO BE EVERYTHING YOU WANTED,

BUT I CAN'T PRETEND
ANY LONGER. I'VE GOT TO
TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

LORNA, WHAT ARE YOU
TRYING TO SAY?

WHEN I FIRST MET YOU...

THAT VERY FIRST SUMMER
WE FELL IN LOVE,

FROM KNOWING YOU
AND THE KIND OF MAN
YOU ARE,

I REALIZED THERE WAS
ONLY ONE KIND OF WOMAN
YOU COULD CARE ABOUT--

A COURAGEOUS WOMAN,
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT
A SKIPPER'S WIFE MUST BE.

YES, OF COURSE.

NO, PLEASE.
LET ME SAY IT.

BECAUSE I LOVED YOU,
AND BECAUSE I WANTED VERY MUCH
TO HAVE YOU LOVE ME,

I TRIED TO BE
THAT KIND OF WOMAN.

BUT I'M NOT, BILL.
I WISH I COULD BE,
BUT I'M NOT.

THERE WERE TIMES
I PRAYED YOU'D
SEE THROUGH MY PRETENSE

AND SEE ME
AS I REALLY AM--
AND LOVE ME ANYWAY.

I THOUGHT SURELY
THE NIGHT JERRY DIED,
YOU'D UNDERSTAND.

I WANTED YOU
TO TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS

AND SAY, "DARLING, ISN'T THERE
SOMETHING I CAN DO?

I KNOW IT'S KILLING YOU."

WHAT DID YOU DO?

YOU TOOK MY ARM, HARD,
LOOKED AT ME AS THOUGH
YOU WERE GIVING AN ORDER

AND SAID, "STEADY.
KEEP THE FLAG FLYING."

YOU TOOK ME
FOR GRANTED, BILL.

YOU DIDN'T TRY HARD ENOUGH
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS
HAPPENING TO ME INSIDE.

WELL, NOW YOU KNOW.

THE FLAG ISN'T FLYING.

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME
YOU FELT THIS WAY?

THERE WAS NO NEED
TO PRETEND.

LORNA, FOR THE LOVE
OF HEAVEN,

I LOVE YOU
BECAUSE YOU'RE YOU.

AND NOW YOU'VE TOLD ME,
I STILL LOVE YOU.

I JUST UNDERSTAND YOU
BETTER, THAT'S ALL.

OH, WHY DID I MAKE THIS
A PRIVATE FIGHT?

WHY DID I KEEP IT TO MYSELF?
WHY DIDN'T I TELL YOU
YEARS AGO?

BUT WHAT DIFFERENCE
DOES IT MAKE?

IT'S ALL OVER NOW.
IT DOESN'T MATTER.

THERE'S NO REASON
TO GO AWAY.

BUT IT ISN'T AS SIMPLE
AS THAT, BILL.

I WISH IT WERE.

IF I'D ONLY KNOWN...

BUT IT'S TOO LATE NOW.

I'VE--I'VE CHANGED.

CHANGED. HOW?

WELL, I--I DON'T
EXACTLY KNOW.

SINCE JERRY DIED,
THERE'S BEEN THIS AWFUL
FEELING OF EMPTINESS.

THE THOUGHT OF YOUR RETURN
SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH
TO FILL IT, BUT IT WASN'T.

AND THEN SOMETHING HAPPENED
LAST NIGHT,

JUST AS SUDDENLY
AS YOU'RE HEARING IT NOW.

AND THAT MADE ME REALIZE
SOMETHING WE HAD TOGETHER
IS LOST.

I'VE GOT TO GO AWAY, BILL,
AND TRY TO FIND IT AGAIN.

WELL...IF THAT'S
THE WAY IT IS,
YOU COULDN'T STAY

ANY MORE THAN I
COULD ASK YOU
TO STAY.

I WANT TO FIND
WHAT I'VE LOST, BILL.
I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU.

THERE'S NOTHING I WANT
SO MUCH IN THE WORLD.

COME BACK
FOR ONE REASON--
BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME.

RIGHT?

RIGHT.

HERE COMES THE SKIPPER.
HE'S BACK!

HELLO, SKIPPER.
HELLO, DUSTY.

WELCOME BACK.

HOWDY, SKIPPER.
WE MISSED YOU.

GOOD TRIP,
SKIPPER?

YEAH.

HOW'S PHILADELPHIA?
FINE.

GOOD TRIP,
SKIPPER?

NOT BAD. GOT SOME
FINE NEW EQUIPMENT.

THINGS GO ALL RIGHT HERE?

FINE. WE'VE BEEN
DOING SOME NIGHT FLYING
FROM THE CARRIER.

LAST WEEK, WE
HAD JOINT EXERCISES
WITH THE ARMY OFF--

IS SOMETHING WRONG?
OFF YOUR FEED
OR SOMETHING?

HUH? NO. NO, NO.

I'M ALL RIGHT.

UH...WHAT WERE YOU SAYING
ABOUT MANEUVERS?

LOOK, BILL, YOU AND I
HAVE BEEN SHIPMATES
FOR A LONG TIME.

WE'VE FLOWN THROUGH
SOME TOUGH SPOTS
TOGETHER.

NOW, SOMETHING'S
GOT YOU.

IF I'M STEPPING ONTO
THE WRONG SIDE OF THE
QUARTERDECK, SAY SO,

BUT I WISH YOU'D
TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG.

LORNA'S GONE AWAY.

WHAT?

FOR LONG, BILL?

MAYBE FOR GOOD.

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT...THAT DOESN'T
MAKE SENSE.

WHAT HAPPENED?

I DON'T KNOW.

SOMETHING
WHILE I WAS AWAY.

THIS IS A TOUGH
BUSINESS, DUSTY.

MAYBE I'VE TAKEN SOME
AT HOME WITH ME NIGHTS.

SHE'S...SHE'S
ALL MIXED UP.

CHANGED.

WELL, I GUESS
YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE
TALKING SHOP NOW.

I'LL RUN ALONG.

YEAH?

MR. DRAKE, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
RHODES WISH TO SEE YOU
IN THE LOUNGE.

ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.

YOU WANTED
TO SEE ME?

DRAKE, THIS ISN'T A VERY
PLEASANT PIECE OF BUSINESS--

ABOUT THE TOUCHIEST
MOST OF US HAVE EVER
BEEN THROUGH IN THE NAVY.

BUT WE GOT TO
HAVE IT OUT WITH YOU.

HAVE WHAT OUT?

GO AHEAD.

LORNA GARY LEFT
FOR THE EAST TODAY.

SHE DID?

YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT?

NO.

YOU SAW A LOT OF HER
THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

YEAH. EVERY DAY,
ALMOST.

AND ALMOST
EVERY EVENING.

Stitchy: SHE DIDN'T SEE ANYONE
ELSE AROUND THE STATION--

ANY OF THE WIVES
WHO ARE HER FRIENDS
HERE IN THE SQUADRON.

I KNOW SHE DIDN'T.
WHAT ABOUT IT?

IT WASN'T A PLEASURE TRIP
MRS. GARY TOOK TODAY.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN SHE'S
COMING BACK. WE DON'T KNOW
THAT SHE IS COMING BACK.

HEY, WHAT IS THIS?
WHAT ARE YOU
GETTING AT?

WHAT HAVE I GOT
TO DO WITH IT?

DRAKE, I'VE CRUISED
WITH BILL GARY A GOOD WHILE.

I WAS BEST MAN
AT HIS WEDDING.

I'VE NEVER SEEN TWO PEOPLE
HAPPIER THAN THEY WERE--

UP TO TWO WEEKS AGO,

AND I'VE NEVER SEEN A MAN
BUSTED UP SO BADLY
AS HE IS TODAY.

DO YOU KNOW WHY
MRS. GARY LEFT?

NO, I DON'T
KNOW WHY,

AND I DON'T
THINK IT'S ANY
OF MY BUSINESS,

OR ANY OF YOURS.

Stitchy: WAIT A MINUTE!

DON'T GET ON
YOUR HIGH HORSE.

WHY SHOULDN'T I?

YOU PEOPLE
SUSPECTING ME OF
A THING LIKE THIS.

WE ARE SUSPECTING YOU,
AND WE'VE GOT TO FIND OUT
ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

AND IF WE'RE RIGHT,
YOU DON'T BELONG
IN BILL GARY'S SQUADRON.

AND HOW DOES HE
FEEL ABOUT IT?
THE SKIPPER?

HE DOESN'T KNOW
ANYTHING ABOUT IT,

AND HE'S NOT
GOING TO FIND OUT.

NOBODY'S GOING TO KNOW.
GET ME?

NO SCANDAL.
BILL'S TAKEN ENOUGH.

BILL GARY'S
BEEN MY SKIPPER
AS WELL AS YOURS,

AND HE'S BEEN
MY FRIEND.

YOU'RE RIGHT.
HE'S NEVER
GOING TO KNOW...

AND YOU DON'T
HAVE TO BOTHER
FINDING OUT

WHETHER YOUR SUSPICIONS
ARE RIGHT OR WRONG,
BECAUSE I'M GETTING OUT.

I WOULDN'T FLY
WITH A CROWD WHO
COULD SUSPECT ME

OF A FILTHY TRICK
LIKE THIS IF IT WAS
THE LAST SQUADRON
IN THE FLEET!

YOU CAN HAVE
MY SHARE!

YOU CAN TAKE
THE HELLCATS AND...

DROWN THEM
IN THE BAY.

(DOOR SLAMS)

WELL, WHAT ABOUT IT?
WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?

I DON'T KNOW.

ME, I DON'T
KNOW, EITHER.

HE DIDN'T DENY IT,
DID HE?

THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH
FOR ME.

I'M NOT WILLING
TO DEFEND A MAN

WHO'S NOT WILLING
TO DEFEND HIMSELF.

WELL, MAYBE I KNOW
A LITTLE BIT MORE
ABOUT THIS THAN
ANYONE...

EXCEPT DRAKE,

AND I SAY I DON'T
WANT TO SEE HIM

OR SPEAK TO HIM
OR FLY WITH HIM
AGAIN.

HE'S WRITTEN
HIS OWN TICKET.

ALL RIGHT.

(MEN ALL TALKING AT ONCE)

(KNOCK KNOCK)

COME IN.

WHAT'S THIS?

IT'S MY RESIGNATION,
SIR.

I'M GETTING OUT
OF THE NAVY.

GETTING OUT?

WHY, PENSACOLA,
WHEN YOU CHECKED IN HERE,
YOU LOVED THE NAVY.

YOU SAT RIGHT THERE
IN THAT CHAIR ONE MORNING

AND TOLD ME YOU'D SOONER
FLY WITH US THAN EAT...

AND YOU STILL WOULD,
FOR MY MONEY.

COME ON,
TEAR THIS THING UP.

I HAVE NO INTENTION
OF TEARING IT UP,
SIR.

SOMETHING'S
REALLY EATING YOU.

WANT TO TELL ME?

OH, NONE OF MY
BUSINESS, EH?

ALL RIGHT,
NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

YOU'VE GOT THE MAKINGS
OF A GREAT PILOT, DRAKE.

THE NAVY CAN USE YOU,
AND I STILL THINK
YOU LOVE THE SERVICE.

THERE'S A LOT MORE TO IT
THAN YOU'VE LEARNED HERE
IN THE

THERE'S LOYALTY,
FOR ONE THING,

AND LOYALTY ISN'T
A ONE-WAY STREET.

IT GOES BOTH WAYS--

DOWN AS WELL AS UP.

YOU FIGHT LIKE BLAZES
FOR THE SKIPPER,

AND THE SKIPPER FIGHTS
LIKE BLAZES FOR THE MEN...

BUT WE'RE ALL FIGHTING
FOR THE SAME THING--
THE NAVY...

WHICH IS, WHEN
THE CHIPS ARE DOWN,
AMERICA'S FRONT LINE.

YOU GET DISCOURAGED
SOMETIMES, SURE.

YOU GET COLD AND WET...

AND SO TIRED YOU HAVE
NOTHING TO HANG ON WITH
BUT YOUR TEETH.

YOU WONDER
WHY IN THE DEVIL
YOU EVER WANTED WINGS,

BUT AS YOU'RE CIRCLING
THE CARRIER WAITING
FOR YOUR TURN TO LAND,

AND THE FLAGSHIP
HOISTS THE SIGNAL
"WELL DONE, FIGHTING 8,"

IT DOES SOMETHING
TO YOU INSIDE.

DUTY WELL DONE--

FOR A MAN, THAT'S
THE BEST IN THE BOOK!

I'VE SUBMITTED MY
RESIGNATION, SIR.

JUST WHAT IS
THE MATTER, DRAKE?

HELLCATS
TOO TOUGH FOR YOU?

OK, SIR.
LET IT GO AT THAT.

THE DEPARTMENT HASN'T BEEN
APPROVING RESIGNATIONS
FOR RESERVE ENSIGNS.

HOWEVER, IF YOU INSIST--

I DO, SIR.

I'LL FORWARD IT
TO WASHINGTON...

BUT WE'VE GOT
A MOVEMENT ORDER HERE--

EXTENSIVE MANEUVERS
OFF THE COAST,
PROBABLY SEVERAL WEEKS.

YOU CAN'T GET AWAY
BEFORE THAT.

THAT'S A GOOD
FINISH, SIR.

(TRUMPETS PLAYING
FANFARE)

BOY, AM I
PILING UP HOURS.

I'M FORGETTING
HOW TO WALK.

I'M SO TIRED
I CAN'T SEE.

I'VE BEEN WEARING A CHUTE
FOR SO MANY HOURS,

MY STERN FEELS
LIKE A WAFFLE.

I'M GLAD THESE TWO WEEKS
ARE OVER.

THEY'RE
GETTING TOUGHER
AND TOUGHER.

WE MUST BE
PART OF THE WAR
AND DON'T KNOW IT,

THE WAY
THEY'RE WORKING US--
DAY AND NIGHT,
DAY AND NIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU FELLAS
ARE SO TIRED ABOUT.
LOOK AT ME.

(COUGHING)

VERY FUNNY. HA HA!

HEY, YOU BIRDS
ARE TIRED.

JOIN THE NAVY
AND SEE THE WORLD...

THROUGH
A BOMB SIGHT.

THIS MAY NOT BE WAR,
BUT IT SURE ISN'T HEAVEN.

HOW'S THE JAVA
HOLDING OUT?

IT'S ALL RIGHT,
IF YOU'LL COME AND GET IT.

COMBAT FLYING
AIN'T SO HOT.

KEEPS YOUR STOMACH IN A CONSTANT
STATE OF ASTONISHMENT.

(WHISTLE BLOWING
OVER P.A.)

Man on P.A.: FIGHTING 8,
MECHANICS--START ALL ENGINES.

FIGHTING 8, MECHANICS--
START ALL ENGINES.

FIGHTING 8--AYE, AYE.

DID YOU HEAR
WHAT I HEARD?

A SEAPLANE
IS DOWN SOMEWHERE
NEAR THE LOWER
CALIFORNIA COAST.

NO REPORT FOR MORE
THAN TWO HOURS.

HER RADIO
MUST BE OUT IF
SHE'S STILL AFLOAT,

AND THERE'S
JUST ONE HOUR
TILL DARKNESS.

WELL, WHAT ARE WE
WAITING FOR?

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Bill: DRAKE.

YOU ONLY CAME
ON THESE MANEUVERS

WHILE WAITING
FOR YOUR RESIGNATION
TO BE ACTED ON.

THE MANEUVERS ARE
OVER NOW. THIS IS
AN EXTRA TRIP.

YOU CAN
STAY ON BOARD.
YOU'RE ALL IN.

YOU'RE ALL MIXED UP,
SKIPPER.

I'M RESIGNING,
NOT QUITTING.

P.A.: ALL PILOTS, FIGHTING 8--
MAN YOUR PLANES.

ALL PILOTS, FIGHTING 8--
MAN YOUR PLANES.

COMMANDER AIRCRAFT
FROM COMMANDER FIGHTING 8.

FIGHTING 8 CALLING,
SIR.

COMMANDER AIRCRAFT--
AYE, AYE.

GO AHEAD,
FIGHTING 8.

FIGHTING 8 TOOK OFF
FROM CARRIER TO SEARCH.

FLYING EAST 1,000 FEET.
SPEED 300.

FORM SCOUTING LINE.
REPORT ANYTHING
SIGHTED.

DESTROYER PATROLS
ARE IN SEARCH AREA.

YOU ARE NOT
TO ATTEMPT RESCUE.

FIGHTING 8--AYE, AYE.

FIGHTING 8 FROM COMMANDER,
FIGHTING 8--

FORM SCOUTING LINE
BY SECTION.

INTERVAL 3 MILES.
EXECUTE.

WE'LL MAKE ONE MORE SWEEP.
FLY DUE WEST 5 MILES.

WATCH YOUR GAS.
DON'T ANSWER.

(AIRPLANES APPROACHING)

BABY, IF THAT AIN'T
A WELCOME RUMBLE!

SOUNDS LIKE
A FIGHTING SQUADRON.

LAY YOU A COLD BEER
IT'S THE HELLCATS.

MAKE IT A HOT SCOTCH,
AND YOU'VE GOT A BET!

HA HA!

BETTER FIRE A STAR.
THEY MAY PASS US.

ONLY GOT ONE LEFT.

SHOOT THE WORKS.
WE MIGHT NOT GET
ANOTHER CHANCE.

SKIPPER, I JUST SAW

A VEERING STAR
TO THE SOUTHERN.

CHANGE COURSE TO SOUTH.
FLY AT 500.

KEEP CLOSE LOOKOUT FOR LIGHTS
OR PLANE ON WATER.

REPORT ANYTHING SIGHTED.
DON'T ANSWER.

THEY'RE HEADED THIS WAY.
LIGHT A FLARE!

AYE, AYE, SIR.

COMMANDER AIRCRAFT
FROM COMMANDER
FIGHTING 8.

GO AHEAD, FIGHTING 8.

DBY-6 LOCATED.

NORTH TANGENT
GUADALUPE ISLAND,

BEARING 5-0,
DISTANCE 3 MILES.

HULL
STILL WATERTIGHT.
ALL ON BOARD SAFE.

WILL REACH
REPORTED POSITION
IN 15 MINUTES.

DESTROYER WILL ARRIVE
WITHIN AN HOUR.

CARRIER IN HEAVY FOG.

FOG ENVELOPING
ENTIRE COAST.

PROCEED SAN DIEGO
WITHOUT DELAY. ANSWER.

FIGHTING 8--
AYE, AYE.

PROCEEDING
SAN DIEGO.

PLANES IN SIGHT OF ME,
CLOSE UP.

OTHERS PROCEED
SAN DIEGO.

FOG SHUTTING IN.
DON'T ANSWER.

(ENGINE SPUTTERING)

DISREGARD MY MOVEMENTS.
MOTOR QUIT.

NO PLANES
ATTEMPT TO LAND.

GET STARTED
FOR SAN DIEGO, DUSTY.

THERE'S NO GAS
TO SPARE.

PLANE 4--AYE, AYE.

WE'LL START THE MINUTE
YOU'RE SAFELY DOWN.

PLANE TWO--
CARRY OUT ORDERS.

NO PLANES LAND.

WATCH THAT BEACH,
SKIPPER.

IT'S A TOUGH ONE TO CHUTE
DOWNWIND.

(REVVING ENGINE)

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
FROM FIGHTING 8,

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
FROM FIGHTING 8--

SQUADRON COMMANDER FORCED DOWN
AT GUADALUPE ISLAND.

INJURED. DRAKE IN PLANE TWO
LANDED SAFELY.

PLANE 4, RHODES.

PLANE 4--AYE, AYE.
HOW BADLY IS HE HURT?

BAD HEAD INJURY.
I CAN'T DO MUCH
WITH FIRST AID.

DO YOU THINK
HE COULD HOLD OUT

UNTIL THE DESTROYER
GETS THERE WITH A DOCTOR?

NO. I'LL HAVE TO
FLY HIM BACK.

I'LL PULL OUT
MY RADIO
AND TAKE HIM ABOARD.

WELL, STEP ON IT, THEN.

FOG REPORTED ROLLING IN
AT SAN DIEGO FAST.

FOG?
TELL THE STATION

TO BREAK OUT
SPIKE KNOWLES

AND GET
THE TRANSMITTER
WORKING--

JERRY'S FOG DEVICE!

I'VE GOT
THE RECEIVING PANEL
HERE IN MY SHIP.

IT'S A CHANCE,
BUT WE MAY HAVE TO
TAKE IT.

OK. WE'LL WAIT
AND GO IN WITH YOU.

NOW, GET THIS.

WHEN I PULL OUT
THIS RADIO, I CAN'T
DO ANY MORE TALKING.

RIGHT.

ALL PLANES,
TAKE POSITION ON DRAKE.

HE HAS
THE LANDING DEVICE.

WE'LL GO IN WITH HIM.

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
FROM FIGHTING 8,

NORTH ISLAND TOWER
FROM FIGHTING 8--

WE'RE BRINGING IN
BILL GARY.

PLEASE ADVISE WEATHER.

WIND NORTHWEST 10.
HEAVY FOG.

VISIBILITY ZERO.
CEILING ZERO.

12 PLANES FIGHTING 8
LANDED SAFELY
BEFORE FOG SHUT DOWN.

HAVE CHIEF RADIOMAN KNOWLES
GET LANDING DEVICE READY--

BANNING'S FOG DEVICE.

WE'VE GOT TO GET THE SKIPPER
DOWN SOMEHOW!

AYE, AYE. GET A MIKE
WITH A LONG LEAD

SO THEY CAN TALK
FROM FIGHTING 8's HANGAR.

AYE, AYE!

COME ON, KNOWLES.
YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS
THAN ANY ONE OF US.

FOR PETE'S SAKES, SPIKE,
GET IT WORKING!

THEY MUST BE
JUST ABOUT OUT OF GAS.

WORKED ALL RIGHT
LAST TIME
WE TRIED IT, SIR,

BUT IT SURE HAS
CONKED OUT
ON US NOW.

MAYBE THERE'S
A SHORT SOMEWHERE.
CHECK YOUR WIRING.

FIGHTING 8,
FIGHTING 8--
WE'LL HAVE IT
GOING IN A MINUTE.

HOW ARE YOU FIXED
FOR GAS?

IN JUST A MINUTE,
THERE WON'T BE ANY GAS.

(TAPPING)

DUSTY, WE'RE NOT
HAVING MUCH LUCK.

YOU MAY HAVE TO
BAIL OUT.

BAIL OUT?
WHAT ABOUT THE SKIPPER?

PENSACOLA'S GOT THE SKIPPER.
HE CAN'T BAIL OUT!

HERE YOU ARE, SPIKE.
TRY THESE.

(SCREWING IN TUBE)

(AIRPLANES APPROACHING)

(WHIRRING)

IT'S WORKING!

WE'RE GOING TO LET DOWN
THROUGH IT.

KEEP CLOSED UP
ON PENSACOLA.

HERE THEY COME.

(SIREN)

GREAT JOB, SPIKE!
WONDERFUL!

YOU DID IT!
THEY'RE DOWN!

GUESS I BETTER
GET ME AN ASPIRIN.

THERE'S LORNA.

HOW IS HE?

HOW HE PULLED THROUGH
THE OPERATION LAST NIGHT
IS A MIRACLE.

IF HE'D ONLY REGAIN
CONSCIOUSNESS,

I'D GIVE HIM
A FIGHTING CHANCE.

(WHISPERING)

Bill: LORNA.

BILL.

YOU GOT MY LETTER?

YES.

YOU'RE NOT
GOING TO LEAVE
THE NAVY, BILL.

I WILL...

IF IT WILL
MAKE YOU HAPPY.

I'M HAPPY.

YOU'VE
PULLED THROUGH.

I'M HOME
BESIDE YOU.

DO TEARS HELP?

HE'S MADE IT.
HE'S GOING TO PULL THROUGH.

(ALL TALKING AT ONCE)

Dusty: PENSACOLA.

WHILE DRIVING WITH LORNA
FROM THE AIRPORT,

I FOUND OUT
A FEW THINGS

THAT MADE ME
PLENTY SICK OF MYSELF
AND WHAT WE'VE DONE.

I WANT TO APOLOGIZE
FOR MYSELF
AND EVERYONE HERE.

IT'S A LITTLE LATE
FOR APOLOGIES, ISN'T IT?

YEAH. PRETTY LATE
AND PRETTY EMPTY.

MAYBE NOT TOO LATE.

WASHINGTON'S
TURNED DOWN
YOUR RESIGNATION.

WE'RE GOING TO BE
FLYING TOGETHER
FOR A LONG TIME.

PERHAPS WE CAN
MAKE IT UP TO YOU.

I'LL APPLY
FOR A TRANSFER.

I WOULDN'T
BLAME YOU,

BUT I THINK WE CAN
KILL THAT TRANSFER.

THE WAY YOU
HANDLED YOURSELF
THROUGH THIS THING

AND KEPT
YOUR MOUTH SHUT--

YOU'RE
A BORN HELLCAT,

AND WE'RE GOING TO
HANG ON TO YOU.

COME ON, PENSACOLA,
GIVE IN.

(ALL TALKING AT ONCE)

WE NEED A FELLA LIKE YOU.
COME ON!

HA HA!

COME ON, PENSACOLA,
YOU CAN'T LEAVE US
NOW!