Test Pilot (1938)

I have watched old movies all my life. I can't say that I prefer a good old movie over a good new movie, but I do appreciate old films. Test Pilot is really kind of a strange animal though it has a high profile cast. It seems especially odd if you look at it with contemporary sensibilities. First, the Clark Gable character and the Myrna Loy character get married almost the minute they meet. Not even a kiss ahead of time. Then you have the Spencer Tracy character. If you think he might have a gay attraction for the Clark Gable character, well, you probably wouldn't be the first to wonder. But this is 1938 so the answer is; no, you are probably wrong. The archaic aircraft are great, if you are into that sort of thing, which I am. The B-17 seen in the movie was actually a pretty new airplane at that time and it became a workhorse in WWII. I am actually a little surprised to see it up there on the screen for that reason, after all, the film was made a year before WWII. But maybe that's just it: it was before WWII and no one suspected what was to come.I found the Gable-Loy romance kind of secondary to the other aspects of the film. To be honest, the romance might have been a bit too cheesy for me.

I noticed this movie surfing around on TV and caught a glimpse of racing planes. My mom is from this era, married a test pilot(just after the war), who drank. So I asked her to watch it with me because she used to work for TWA in 1945 running weather data to the pilots. Amazingly neither of us had seen it before. We had a great time because this film has great acting (and lots of fast planes). It's no wonder they grabbed Clark for Gone With The Wind right after this film. He nails all his demanding scenes.very well. Their are moments of pure psychology in this one just like a lot of them from this period imo. Myrna Loy is pleasantly reserved and unpretentious and showed a wide range of acting. The script is quite clever, so it must of been easier for the actors to really act, and it shows. It's not hard to get absorbed in these characters. Spencer too, he's a pretty cool cookie here. During an exciting plane race, my mom asked how they filmed some of the plane stunts! I have no idea :-) very exciting indeed. Have fun.

I list this under my 'Best' category for the simple fact that it's one of the best 'Buddy' pics of all time.Tracy and Gable had already been on screen together, and both had already been award winners, but this one was just fun.The story allows them to play off themselves with great range, and adding Myrna Loy only helps. The interaction is coy, innocent yet feisty, and lays a lot of groundwork for what 'buddy' comedy films still strive for.Paced fairly well, with just a dash of drama, the film hits on all cylinders and is definitely a popcorn movie.If you like this one, don't miss 'Boomtown' either.

This second pairing of Gable and Tracy was a great follow-up to the exciting "San Francisco" which was their first film together. Tracy was fast-becoming a very big star had an expanded role, but was still Gable's side-kick; something he would soon tire of. But all three stars, Gable, Tracy and Myrna Loy have a wonderful chemistry together. They play both the comedy and drama of the film with great ease and truthfulness. This trio, along with the wonderful Lionel Barrymore really make the film work.This isn't quite standard MGM fare. Underneath the fun-loving natures of the leads there is a slowly building sense of doom that begins to wear on them all. Tracy's character gives the tension a voice in his quietly stated mantram "Three Roads". As with the earlier film pairing, "San Francisco", "Test Pilot" was considered quite a fine action film with terrific special effects. Although, the latter suffers greatly in the special effects department today, while "San Francisco" still holds up quite well due to the excellent camera work, editing and creative special effects.There is one scene in particular that is fun to watch when you know the back story. It takes place rather early on with Gable driving a car with Loy sitting in front with him, and Tracy sitting in the back. The scene's lines are only between Loy and Gable with Tracy sort of listening and chewing gum. Gable was quoted after the premier complaining in an envious but lighthearted manner about that "damn Tracy, we're acting our asses off, we have all the lines and he's still the only one you watch!" Gable had a life-long respect for the great acting prowess of his co-star.Also look for Gable's last speech at the end of the film. While lecturing a group of air force recruits he suggests that the're either "cracking wise or giving him the bird!" The first time that gesture was ever mentioned on screen!A great 1930's MGM classic. Don't miss it!