Only Angels Have Wings (1939)

7.6Approved121 minDirector: Howard Hawks

1939 film by Howard Hawks

Only Angels Have Wings is a 1939 American adventure romantic drama film directed by Howard Hawks. Starring Cary Grant and Jean Arthur, it is based on a story written by Hawks.

The plot follows the manager of an air freight company in a remote South American port town who is forced to risk his pilots' lives while vying for a major contract.

It features supporting performances from Thomas Mitchell, Richard Barthelmess, Noah Beery Jr., and Rita Hayworth in her first major role.

Released by Columbia Pictures in May 1939, the film is generally regarded as being among Hawks' finest films, particularly in its portrayal of the professionalism of the pilots of the film, its atmosphere, and the flying sequences.

In 2017, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is Only Angels Have Wings about?
Only Angels Have Wings (1939) — When the ship San Luis makes a stop at the port of Barranca to deliver mailbags and load bananas, cabaret singer Bonnie Lee leaves the boat for some hours to look around. She meets a gang of American flyers who work for a warm-hearted Dutchman. He is the owner of a scrubby hotel,
Is Only Angels Have Wings based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is Only Angels Have Wings scary?
Content rating: Approved. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.
What is Only Angels Have Wings (1939) about? Plot, synopsis and ending explained — Screencodex