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Bailout at 43,000
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Wikipedia article
'Bailout at 43,000' is a 1957 American drama film directed by Francis D. Lyon and written by Paul Monash. The film stars John Payne, Karen Steele, Paul Kelly, Richard Eyer, Constance Ford and Eddie Firestone. The film was released on May 1, 1957, by United Artists.[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/68009/Bailout-at-43-000/ "Overview: 'Bailout at 43,000' (1957).z"] 'Turner Classic Movies' (TCM.com). Retrieved: November 13, 2015.[http://movies.tvguide.com/bailout-at-43000/102621 "Bailout At 43,000."] 'TV Guide'. Retrieved: November 13, 2015.
It was the last film from Pine-Thomas Productions then known as Pine-Thomas-Shane.Merchant Marine Tale in Super Class; Charles Vidor Replaces Huston Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 4 Apr 1957: B13
Plot
United States Air Force Colonel William Hughes (Paul Kelly) asks Major Paul Peterson (John Payne), who has been called back to active service, to join a team at the Air Research and Development Command conducting tests on a downward ejection seat for bombardiers in the new Boeing B-47 Stratojet bomber. The first tests used articulated dummies, but human test subjects are needed. Besides Colonel Hughes, German scientist Dr. Franz Gruener (Gregory Gaye), also is in charge of the test program, working directly with the test subjects. Captain Jack Nolan (Richard Crane) is also assigned to the project.
The first volunteer, Captain Mike Cavallero (Eddie Firestone), suffers a broken neck when his parachute opens too early. He survives the test but is hospitalized. The next subject is Lieutenant Edward Simmons, to be followed by Paul. When Mike is suddenly rushed to hospital with an appendicitis attack, Paul moves up. Worried because he has a wife and son, Paul is reluctant to go, but then finds out that Captain Nolan has been killed in a B-47 crash, and as the bombardier, he might not have been able to escape the aircraft.
His wife (Karen Steele) begs his commanding officer to release Paul from his commitment. When Paul shows up to take the test, he finds Colonel Hughes suiting up. Imploring him to reconsider, Paul makes the case for doing the test to prove that a bailout is possible from the high-speed jet bomber. Flying with Dr. Gruener, Paul ejects, but when the ground observers ask him to indicate he is well by spread-eagling, he does not respond. On board the rescue launch, they pick up Paul and find he is fine; he was simply concentrating so hard that he forgot to spread-eagle. After he is cleared by the medics, Paul is greeted by Carol and his son Kit (Richard Eyer) and, with their blessing, decides to continue with the project.
Cast
* John Payne as Major Paul Peterson
* Karen Steele as Carol Peterson
* Paul Kelly as Colonel Hughes
* Richard Eyer as Kit Peterson
* Constance Ford as Mrs. Frances Nolan
* Eddie Firestone as Captain Mike Cavallero
* Adam Kennedy as Lieutenant Ed Simmons
* Gregory Gaye as Dr. Franz Gruener
* Steven Ritch as Major Irv Goldman
* Richard Crane as Captain Jack Nolan
Original TV Play
'Bailout at 43,000 Feet' was an episode of the 'Climax!' dramatic anthology television series. The episode played on season 2 as episode 15, airing on December 29, 1955, directed by John Frankenheimer, produced by Martin Manulis, hosted by William Lundigan and starring Richard Boone and Bart Burns.
Cast
*Charlton Heston as Lt. Paul Peterson*Nancy Reagan as Carol Peterson
*Richard Boone ss Col. Hughes
*Lee Marvin as Capt. Cavallero
*Bart Burns
*Charles Davis
*Gil Frye
*John Gallaudet
*Harvey Grant
*William Hughes
Production
Carl Dudley originally expressed interest in buying the screen rights to the TV play.Three-Way Partnership Formed on Coast To Make TV Film Series on Gen. Fremont New York Times 23 Dec 1955: 35 Eventually Bill Thomas of Pine-Thomas-Shane Productions got them.Murphy May Star in Film of 'Underdog,'
Chicago Daily Tribune 19 Jan 1956: c9.
In adapting the episode for the screen, 'Bailout at 43,000' was slightly revised, with tension heightened in the interaction between a former Nazi scientist and pilots engaged in the bailout tests.
In August 1956 it was announced Boone would reprise his TV role.U.-I. TO FILM LIFE OF FASTEST PILOT New York Times 7 Aug 1956: 19. However in October he was replaced by Paul Kelly.TODD IN DISPUTE ON WRITER CREDIT New York Times 1 Oct 1956: 30.
Star John Payne was winding up his film career with 'Bailout at 43,000', while Paul Kelly made his last film appearance, ending a long career that began in 1911 as a child actor in silent films.[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0446769/?ref_=tt_cl_t3 "Paul Kelly (I) (18991956)."] 'IMDb'. Retrieved: November 13, 2015. Karen Steele was borrowed from Sam Goldwyn Jr.Drama: Graham Greene 'Joan' Scripter; Alberghetti, Ben Cooper to Costar Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 1 Aug 1956: C9.
The film was made with the full cooperation of the United States Air Force and featured a number of airfield and aerial sequences with Boeing B-47 Stratojet bombers.Pendo 1985, p. 259.
Filming started 1 October 1956.
Reception
'Bailout at 43,000' was burdened by both its television episode origin and a B-movie budget, making it little more than what film critic Leonard Maltin called, "Routine material" "... not enhanced by flight sequences or romantic relief."Maltin, Leonard. [http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/68009/Bailout-at-43-000/ "Leonard Maltin Ratings & Reviews: 'Bailout at 43,000'."] 'Turner Classic Movies'. Retrieved: November 13, 2015.
'The New York Times' called it a "tedious film".The Screen: 'Bailout at 43,000' Is New Film at Palace New York Times 8 June 1957: 13.
It was the last film from Pine-Thomas Productions.
References
Notes
Citations
Bibliography
* Pendo, Stephen. 'Aviation in the Cinema'. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985. .
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