There was a play about 8th AF bombers? (1 Viewer)
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larso
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Found it!
Command Decision is a 1948 war film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Clark Gable, Walter Pidgeon, Van Johnson and Brian Donlevy and directed by Sam Wood, based on a stage play of the same name written by William Wister Haines, which he based on his best-selling novel. The screenplay for the film was written by George Froeschel and William R. Laidlaw.[N 1] Haines' play ran on Broadway for almost a year beginning in October 1947.
Although portraying the strategic bombing of Nazi Germany in World War II, the film has virtually no action scenes, taking place almost entirely within the confines of the headquarters of its protagonist. Depicting the political infighting of conducting a major war effort, the film's major theme is the emotional toll on commanders from ordering missions that result in high casualties, the effects of sustained combat on all concerned, and the nature of accountability for its consequences.
Command Decision is a 1948 war film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Clark Gable, Walter Pidgeon, Van Johnson and Brian Donlevy and directed by Sam Wood, based on a stage play of the same name written by William Wister Haines, which he based on his best-selling novel. The screenplay for the film was written by George Froeschel and William R. Laidlaw.[N 1] Haines' play ran on Broadway for almost a year beginning in October 1947.
Although portraying the strategic bombing of Nazi Germany in World War II, the film has virtually no action scenes, taking place almost entirely within the confines of the headquarters of its protagonist. Depicting the political infighting of conducting a major war effort, the film's major theme is the emotional toll on commanders from ordering missions that result in high casualties, the effects of sustained combat on all concerned, and the nature of accountability for its consequences.
Command Decision and Twelve O'clock High are two classic bombing films. Both great shows from writing, acting, and production viewpoints. -- Al
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Parts of Twelve O'clock High were used at USAF Squadron Officer School to depict leadership traits. Chris
I remember reading it in High School in a book. I think a movie was made about it also. I think it was called "Command Desision", but might be wrong. Kinda reminded me of "12 O'Clock High", but without much action. Hope that helps.
BOBBYGMOORE
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Some time ago I wrote a series of articles for a movie magazine based on Clark Gable's film career. And Larso is correct the movie Command Decision was adapted from a Broadway play and the reason the film appeared to be "land-locked". The only other Gable "bomber movie" I can recall is the pre-war Test Pilot (1938) in which he appeared alongside Spencer Tracy. The final scenes in that movie is a fly-past of early B-17 bombers.
Just in passing Steve McQueen came over to the UK in the early 1960s to make The War Lover which was another WWII Flying Fortress bomber movie. Some of the filming took place at USAAF Manston in the county of Kent which at the time was an important SAC base this side of the pond. However, a number of the flying scenes in McQueen's film were taken straight out of Twelve O'clock High & actual WWII footage and was the reason it was filmed in B/W when it was originally budgeted for colour.
Just in passing Steve McQueen came over to the UK in the early 1960s to make The War Lover which was another WWII Flying Fortress bomber movie. Some of the filming took place at USAAF Manston in the county of Kent which at the time was an important SAC base this side of the pond. However, a number of the flying scenes in McQueen's film were taken straight out of Twelve O'clock High & actual WWII footage and was the reason it was filmed in B/W when it was originally budgeted for colour.