For the first time on DVD, John Ford makes a tribute film to his friend Frank “Spig” Wead starring John Wayne.
Frank “Spig” Wead is a pilot in the Navy. He’s in training, but the instructor will not let the trainees have any flight time till he feels they’re ready. This frustrates Spig. When the instructor leaves, several Army flies show up and razz the Navy boys. Spig invites Captain Hazard (Kenneth Tobey) to go up with him in the plane.
Spig’s wife Min (Maureen O’Hara) shows up because Spig was supposed to be at the Admiral’s tea party and she and the rest of the pilots give chase in their Stutz Bearcat. Spig’s piloting allows he and Major Hazard to “crash” the Admiral’s tea in grand style. Spig is basically married to the Navy and his real marriage suffers for it.
He has the grand idea to stage a Army/Navy air race. However, the government nixes the idea due to funding. Spig and team enter the Schneider Cup aerial race in 1923 and wins one for the Navy. This was the catalyst that brought public attention to the Navy and caused Congress to fund Navy aviation. In 1926, Wead had an accident in his home and broke his neck. He is paralyzed and has to learn to move again with help of his good friend “Jughead” Carson (Dan Dailey).
The medical setup that they have him in more resembles the medieval rack than something we would use today. His career in the Navy is effectively over and he turns to writing. He becomes rather successful at it and is hired by director John Dodge (Ward Bond, doing his John Ford impression) to write screenplays.
Crashing the Admiral's tea party
Again he’s about to rejoin and commit to his wife when tragedy strikes and he has to run to his mistress the Navy again. That tragedy was Pearl Harbor and Wead volunteers to “ride a desk” to help with the war effort. He comes up with an idea to keep the air craft carriers at sea longer. Unfortunately, a bad heart again forces his retirement and his death in 1947.
Ford knew Frank Wead, in fact he wrote the screenplay for They Were Expendable. Wead shows a great deal of determination to walk again. There’s no doubt that he is a true hero. However, Ford’s film, though well intentioned, is not the classic that we would want it to be. Wayne and O’Hara are basically playing themselves. Ford infuses the film with his usual touches, drama mixed with comedy.
It seems to me that Wead and Min are not exactly aiming for parents of the year though. Ford regular Jack Pennick also makes an appearance towards the end. However, it doesn’t achieve the classic status that the Searchers, etc. achieves. It is a fun film however in the Wayne/O’Hara teamings.
The Wings of Eagles is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and enhanced for 16x9 television. Special features are sparse and only include the film’s theatrical trailer.
Two fools reconcile
Though it’s not particularly a classic, in my opinion, it’s still a good movie and shows the life of a true hero. Wead rose above his circumstance to fashion a career beyond the Navy and also serve his country. It’s very good to finally have it on DVD.
The Wings of Eagles is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information. The film is also part of the John Wayne/John Ford Film Collection DVD set now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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