HELL'S HORIZON 1955
This one is a Korean War film put out by the B-unit at Columbia Pictures. It stars John Ireland, Hugh Beaumont, Marla English, Bill Williams, Larry Pennell, Jerry Paris, William Schallert and jazz icon, Chet Baker.
The story is about the crew of a B-29 bomber based on the island of Okinawa. They have been sitting for weeks with nothing to do as a series of storms rages over the island. They lay about their tent playing cards, reading letters from home while the one crewman (Chet Baker) wails sorrowful on his trumpet.
Breaking up the boredom is the weekly rounds of the half-caste laundry woman, the drop dead lovely, Marla English. The one crewman, Larry Pennell has the hots for the girl. He wants to make an honest woman out of her. English though has heard this all before from other pilots and crewmen, including Pennell's Captain, John Ireland.
The tedious routine is broken when word comes from command that the bomber has been assigned a mission. The single B-29 is to be sent north to bomb a certain bridge over the Yalu River between North Korea and Red China. The higher ups figure the bad weather will keep the Red Mig-15's on the ground. The plane has been assigned a special radar bombardier, William Schallert.
The ship takes off and wings its way towards the target. They have orders to return if the weather breaks. Just before the B-29 arrives over the target, the weather does clear, giving the anti-aircraft guns a chance at the B-29. Pilot Ireland decides to continue the mission even though the sky is clearing.
The new radar bombardier, Schallert has never been under fire before and freezes. This forces the regular man to bomb using the bomb-sight. The man is right on the button and the target is destroyed. Ireland heaves the beast around and heads back to base.
The weather clearing has allowed the mad as hell Reds to launch some Mig-15 fighters. These are soon swarming all over the bomber shooting said aircraft up. Several of the crew are wounded and Baker is killed. It is only good luck and a handy cloud bank that allows the bomber to escape.
The navigator is now having problems getting a fix on their position. Radar man Schallert comes out of his fright and uses the radar to get them a fix. They are just crossing the coast and are about two hours from the base. Now a new problem pops up. The fight engineer, Hugh Beaumont has failed to spot fuel loss due to a tank being holed during the dance with the Migs. Beaumont has been sitting the whole flight looking at a "Dear John" letter he received just before the flight. They might need to splash down in the sea for lack of fuel.
Pilot Ireland has the crew toss out everything that is not bolted down. Gunsights, nav equipment and even their parachutes are tossed out. Ireland hopes the lost weight will give them more range. Beaumont, before anyone can stop him, also tosses himself out the aircraft.
The B-29, engines on their last gasp, makes the base and crash lands on the field. The crew all escapes the now burning aircraft even bringing along the body of crewman Baker.
When the crew have returned to their barracks, Pennell seeks out Miss English. He tells her that he meant what he said earlier, he wants to marry. They grab each other and kiss.
This one is chock full of combat footage that is for the most part from WW2. Ignoring that, the film itself is rather good for a low budget production. The acting and story are all fine and the look of the film quite decent.
The director here is Tom Gries. Gries, who also wrote the film, would score in the late 60's with the westerns, 100 RIFLES and WILL PENNY. He also helmed several Charles Bronson films, BREAKOUT and BREAKHEART PASS. The cinematographer on the film was Oscar winner, Floyd Crosby.
Every time I see Larry Pennell I can't help but smile. I always recall him from his guest bits on THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES as Hollywood actor, Dash Riprock!
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