MovieChat Forums > Jet Pilot (1957) Discussion > So bad it's good

So bad it's good

posted 18 years ago by Camargue
11 replies | jump to latest

This film is so awful (in acting, in cogent story line, in stereotype of both American and Russian military officers, and in the complete impossibility of Janet Leigh and John Wayne ever being a couple, that the entire story is "over the top."

American military men with no orders, just "winging it" in the middle of the Cold War, with lines like, "Colonel, I trust ya." Russians speaking reasonably and logically with "American-ski" dissidents, defectors, and spies. Janet Leigh smacking John Wayne around with a Tokarev (?) type pistol way too big for her. Then add notes on a matchbook cover, enough smoking to cause secondary-lung cancer to the entire cast and crew, and an entire array of 50s type furniture in chartreuse and beige with matching limed-oak tables.

HOWEVER, the planes are magnificent, and a reminder of what "seat of the pants" actually meant. This is not slick "Top Gun" ala Tom Cruise, overly dramatic and hyped flying, ‘cause this is 1957. Don't let the silly story line ruin the enjoyment of seeing what we actually flew during the Cold War. The take-offs and landings are poetry.

[–] diskdoctor 18 years ago

Personally I didn't think it was all that bad, granted I didn't expect it to be a 'Tale of Two Cities' either. I rather enjoyed the movie, didn't expect state of the art 06' decor, etc. I was seriously amazed at how beautiful Janet Leigh was, something that caught me off guard to say the least considering the only other movie that I've seen her in was Psycho ;-)

I would say all in all, it's a feel good movie with a little eye candy, a 'hero', and a beautiful villain. As for them 'winging it', I can believe that. My father was in the Air Force and trust me, they had a lot of leeway when it came to certain things.

[–] mwmtampa 18 years ago

Good summation doctor. I can't agree more on how gorgeous Janet Leigh was in this movie, and I can see how easy it would be to fall prey to her charms. The Duke did a good job at holding her at bay and then ultimately converting her. I very much enjoyed the movie.

[–] davekapow 17 years ago

Actually filmed in 1950. The B-36 footage was terrific.

[–] bigbaddms 17 years ago

I just watched this film again on AMC today... and again I found it hard to turn it off. Yes the dialogue is wooden, and the storyline is completely unbelievable... and WHO CARES!! Is the storyline of Close Encounters or Star Wars believable? Do we have star cruisers? NO!! This movie was entertaining... you cannot beat seeing those vintage jet aircraft in a non-CGI movie, along with the great Duke... and not the least of all Janet Leigh... WHOA!... she is a knockout in this film. Good old Howard Hughes knew what sells... adventure, action, star power and sex. And this movie had them in abundance. Yes it's overly long and contrived, but if you just watch and enjoy, you will forget about the little flaws. Go Janet Leigh, John Wayne and Howard Hughes!!

PS recall the jet engine sounds when Janet Leigh is disrobing... incredible cheesy, Yes. But am I alone in completely loving that scene?? Thanks!

[–] mwmtampa 17 years ago

I have that same sentiment whenever I see it now and then. It just has so many of those elements that you described (adventure, action, star power and sex) all wrapped into one that you just get captivated. Good analogy with the Star Wars and Close Encounters thing.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] rollieri 11 years ago

Howard Hughes is the reason this movie smells. He interfered at every stage, and then after firing Sternberg, he sat on the film for eight years, thus ensuring its failure as he had done many times before. Janet Leigh had to buy out her contract so she could work again. the idea that Hughes had any clue how to make a good movie is a total myth. His only success was Hell's Heroes in 1930. That lucky accident was largely because the aerial footage was great, and James Whale, a great movie maker, shot the picture. Everything else he ever touched turned to total *beep* He singlehandedly bankrupted RKO in the fifties. He was the George Steinbrenner of movies. No one, no matter how stupid, can always lose if they waste enough money and keep trying.

Howard Roller

[–] willjohn 15 years ago

This film was a classic example of Howard Hughes' failures as a businessman. Sure Hughes was rich, but that had more to do with his inheriting the family's tool company, with a near monopoly on drill bits for oil rigs, at eighteen.

In RKO, Hughes took over a successful film company and ran it into the ground with his interference. The upside of this for his other businesses was while Howard was distracted with RKO people who knew what they were doing made money for him in his absence.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Toshi51 8 years ago

It was the brassiere style of the time- the Twin Torpedoes.

[–] 8 years ago

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