Flying Leathernecks (1951)
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- Approved
- 1h 42min
- Action, Drama
- 28 Aug 1951 (USA)
- Movie
Major Kirby leads The Wildcats squadron into the historic WWII battle of Guadalcanal.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| John Wayne | ... |
Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby
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| Robert Ryan | ... |
Capt. Carl 'Griff' Griffin
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| Don Taylor | ... |
Lt. Vern 'Cowboy' Blithe
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| Janis Carter | ... |
Joan Kirby
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| Jay C. Flippen | ... |
MSgt. Clancy, Line Chief
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| William Harrigan | ... |
Dr. Lt.Cdr. Joe Curran
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| James Bell | ... |
Colonel
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| Barry Kelley | ... |
Brigadier General
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Maurice Jara | ... |
Shorty Vegay
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| Adam Williams | ... |
Lt. Bert Malotke
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| James Dobson | ... |
Lt. Pudge McCabe
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| Carleton Young | ... |
Col. Riley
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| Michael St. Angel | ... |
Capt. Harold Jorgensen, Ops. Officer
(as Steve Flagg)
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| Brett King | ... |
1st Lt. Ernie Stark
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Gordon Gebert | ... |
Tommy Kirby
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Hal Bokar | ... |
Lt. Deal (uncredited)
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Barry Brooks | ... |
Squadron Commander (uncredited)
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Charles Brunner | ... |
Charlie's Father (uncredited)
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Richard Condon | ... |
1st Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
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Ralph Cook | ... |
Lt. Kelvin (uncredited)
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| Inez Cooper | ... |
Nurse (uncredited)
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| Chuck Courtney | ... |
3rd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
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| James Craven | ... |
Fleet CIC Commander (uncredited)
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| Victor Cutler | ... |
2nd Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
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| Gail Davis | ... |
Virginia Blithe (uncredited)
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Michael Devery | ... |
Lt. Hoagland (uncredited)
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Jayn Lee Dockstader | ... |
Infant (uncredited)
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| Christian Drake | ... |
Lieutenant (uncredited)
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| Jane Easton | ... |
Girl (uncredited)
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| Sam Edwards | ... |
Junior (uncredited)
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Frank Fiumara | ... |
Lt. Hawkins (uncredited)
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Shela Fritz | ... |
Charlie's Mother (uncredited)
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Grady Galloway | ... |
4th Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
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| Fred Graham | ... |
MP Sergeant (uncredited)
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| Chuck Hamilton | ... |
Intelligence Officer (uncredited)
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Douglas Henderson | ... |
Lt. Foster (uncredited)
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James Hickman | ... |
Hicks (uncredited)
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Frank Iwanaga | ... |
Japanese Pilot (uncredited)
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| Milton Kibbee | ... |
Indian Affairs Clerk (uncredited)
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| Mona Knox | ... |
Annabelle (uncredited)
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| Keith Larsen | ... |
Charlie (uncredited)
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| Harry Lauter | ... |
Freddie (uncredited)
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Tony Layng | ... |
Lt.Woods (uncredited)
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| Frank Marlowe | ... |
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
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Gene Marshall | ... |
6th Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
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Mickey McCardle | ... |
Marine (uncredited)
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Paul McGuire | ... |
Major Benson (uncredited)
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Eda Reiss Merin | ... |
Mama Malotke (uncredited)
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| John Mitchum | ... |
Lt. Black (uncredited)
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Rollin Moriyama | ... |
Japanese Pilot (uncredited)
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Al Murphy | ... |
Grease Monkey (uncredited)
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Brit Norton | ... |
Capt. Walter Tanner (uncredited)
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Leslie K. O'Pace | ... |
Peter (uncredited)
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Jimmy Ogg | ... |
Messenger (uncredited)
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Peter Ortiz | ... |
Captain (uncredited)
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Patricia Prest | ... |
Greta Malotke (uncredited)
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Noel Reyburn | ... |
Madden (uncredited)
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Melville Robert | ... |
Jack (uncredited)
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Elaine Roberts | ... |
Jill (uncredited)
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Don Rockland | ... |
Lt. Stuart (uncredited)
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Mavis Russell | ... |
Mrs. Jorgenson (uncredited)
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| Hugh Sanders | ... |
General on Guadalcanal (uncredited)
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| Lynn Stalmaster | ... |
Lt. Billy Castle (uncredited)
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| Milburn Stone | ... |
Fleet CIC Radio Operator (uncredited)
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Bernard Szold | ... |
Papa Malotke (uncredited)
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Mort Thompson | ... |
5th Pilot Replacement (uncredited)
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Richard Ullman | ... |
Jeep Driver (uncredited)
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| Harlan Warde | ... |
Admiral's Aide (uncredited)
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| Dick Wessel | ... |
Mess Sergeant (uncredited)
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Mack Williams | ... |
Colonel (uncredited)
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Adam York | ... |
Lt. Simmons (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Nicholas Ray | ||
Written by
| James Edward Grant | ... | (screenplay) |
| Kenneth Gamet | ... | (story) |
| Beirne Lay Jr. | ... | (screenplay) (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Edmund Grainger | ... | producer |
Music by
| Roy Webb | ||
Cinematography by
| William E. Snyder | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Sherman Todd | ||
Editorial Department
| Morgan Padelford | ... | color consultant: Technicolor |
Art Direction by
| Albert S. D'Agostino | ||
| James W. Sullivan | ||
Set Decoration by
| Darrell Silvera | ... | (set decorations) |
| John Sturtevant | ... | (set decorations) |
Costume Design by
| Michael Woulfe | ... | (uncredited) |
Makeup Department
| Mel Berns | ... | makeup artist |
| Larry Germain | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Cliff P. Broughton | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Sam Ruman | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Frank McWhorter | ... | sound |
| Clem Portman | ... | sound |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Paul Mantz | ... | pilot: camera airplane (uncredited) |
| Cliff Shirpser | ... | aerial camera operator: Technicolor (uncredited) |
Music Department
| C. Bakaleinikoff | ... | musical director |
Additional Crew
| Howard Hughes | ... | presenter |
| Richard Hughes | ... | technical adviser (as Colonel Richard Hughes U.S.M.C.) |
| Sid Davis | ... | stand-in: John Wayne (uncredited) |
| Edmund Grainger | ... | fill-in director (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- RKO Radio Pictures (1951) (United States) (theatrical) (as An RKO Radio Picture)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1951) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1952) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Films (1952) (France) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Films (1952) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1952) (Norway) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1954) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release)
- C&C Television Corporation (1955) (United States) (tv)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1957) (United States) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Europa Film (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Stockholm Film (1965) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- HanseSound (2022) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- HanseSound (2022) (Germany) (DVD)
- Image Entertainment (2000) (United States) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (2000) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- Lime Lights Pictures (2012) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Taurus Video (West Germany) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2014) (United States) (DVD) (dvdr)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- United States Marine Corps (dedicatee: and especially to Marine aviation; appreciation is gratefully acknowledged for their participation and assistance which made this picture possible)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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. Written by garykmcd |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Marine Air-Devils In Hot Pursuit... Blood-Red Trails Streak The Sky! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | John Wayne and Robert Ryan managed to put aside their vast political differences while making this film, although Ryan was appalled by Wayne's support for blacklisting, extending the Korean War by launching nuclear strikes on Chinese cities, and using military force to drive the Soviets out of eastern Europe. However they later did not get along at all while filming The Longest Day (1962). See more » |
| Goofs | At about the 56 minute mark, the Navajo Indian pilot is shot in a dogfight. In the initial scene he is wounded in the right leg; in subsequent scenes, the wound is in the left leg. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in War (1988). See more » |
| Quotes |
Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby:
Are we all buttoned up? Joan Kirby: Cat's out... doors locked. All secure sir. See more » |