Flying Leathernecks

Flying Leathernecks

102 mins | Drama, Action, War | Aug. 28, 1951

Major Daniel Kirby takes command of a squadron of Marine fliers just before they are about to go into combat. While the men are well meaning, he finds them undisciplined and prone to always finding excuses to do what is easy rather than what is necessary. The root of the problem is the second in command, Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin. Griff is the best flier in the group but Kirby finds him a poor commander who is not prepared to the difficult decision that all commanders have to make - to put men in harm's way knowing that they may be killed.

Flying Leathernecks

102 mins | Drama, Action, War | Aug. 28, 1951

Flying Leathernecks
Major Daniel Kirby takes command of a squadron of Marine fliers just before they are about to go into combat. While the men are well meaning, he finds them undisciplined and prone to always finding excuses to do what is easy rather than what is necessary. The root of the problem is the second in command, Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin. Griff is the best flier in the group but Kirby finds him a poor commander who is not prepared to the difficult decision that all commanders have to make - to put men in harm's way knowing that they may be killed.
IMDb rating 6.3
Producers RKO Radio Pictures
Original title Flying Leathernecks
Directors Sam Ruman, Nicholas Ray
Writers Beirne Lay Jr., Kenneth Gamet, James Edward Grant, Edmund Grainger

Cast

John Wayne

as Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby

Robert Ryan

as Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin

Don Taylor

as Lt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe

Janis Carter

as Joan Kirby

Jay C. Flippen

as MSgt. Clancy, Line Chief

William Harrigan

as Dr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran

James Bell

as Colonel

Barry Kelley

as Brigadier General

Maurice Jara

as Shorty Vegay

Adam Williams

as Lt. Bert Malotke

James Dobson

as Lt. Pudge McCabe

Carleton Young

as Col. Riley

Michael St. Angel

as Capt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer

Brett King

as 1st Lt. Ernie Stark

Gordon Gebert

as Tommy Kirby