4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on August 6, 2019

Howard Hawks always had a knack for creating worlds and subsequently building camaraderie between his characters simply by stringing scenes together one after the other. Only Angels Have Wings sets up a premise — revolving around a South American outpost — then settles in on two flyers.   read more

Comet Over Hollywood Posted by on July 4, 2019

In 2011, I announced I was trying to see every film released in 1939. This new series chronicles films released in 1939 as I watch them. As we start out this blog feature, this section may become more concrete as I search for a common thread that runs throughout each film...   read more

The Stop Button Posted by Andrew Wickliffe on October 17, 2018

The first forty-five minutes of Only Angels Have Wings is mostly continual present action. Jean Arthur arrives in a South American port town, looking around–followed by two possible ne’er-do-wells (Allyn Joslyn and Noah Beery Jr.)–and the film tracks her experience. Great direction from Hawks, beau   read more

Criterion Blues Posted by Aaron West on May 15, 2016

May 15 Posted by aaronwest Mark and Aaron fly back to 1939 to discuss Howard Hawks’ classic Only Angels Have Wings. We evaluate the special effects, how the film built suspense, the context of aviation in the late 1930s, and later films that embody a similar masculinity. We also reveal...   read more

Criterion Blues Posted by Aaron West on May 15, 2016

May 15 Posted by aaronwest Mark and Aaron fly back to 1939 to discuss Howard Hawks’ classic Only Angels Have Wings. We evaluate the special effects, how the film built suspense, the context of aviation in the late 1930s, and later films that embody a similar masculinity. We also reveal...   read more

Criterion Blues Posted by Aaron West on May 15, 2016

May 15 Posted by aaronwest Mark and Aaron fly back to 1939 to discuss Howard Hawks’ classic Only Angels Have Wings. We evaluate the special effects, how the film built suspense, the context of aviation in the late 1930s, and later films that embody a similar masculinity. We also reveal...   read more

Journeys in Classic Film Posted by on April 16, 2014

Film Class Wednesday pushes through the works of 1939 with the high-flying adventure, Only Angels Have Wings.  This is the second Hawks film I’ve watched in a classroom setting, the first being Hawks’ The Thing.  Howard Hawks was a master of any genre he came across and even though Only   read more

Flickers in Time Posted by Beatrice on January 20, 2014

Only Angels Have Wings Directed by Howard Hawks Written by Jules Furthman 1939/USA Columbia Pictures Corporation Repeat viewing/Netflix rental #131 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die This is another 1939 example of the Hollywood studio system at its height. Piano player Bonnie Lee (Jean   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on November 7, 2013

Starring Cary Grant and Jean Arthur with a cast including Thomas Mitchell, Rita Hayworth, and Noah Beery Jr., with director Howard Hawks, the film follows pilots who fly mail throughout South America. Grant is the head of the dangerous operation and it becomes apparent to Arthur that he is callous,   read more

4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on November 7, 2013

Starring Cary Grant and Jean Arthur with a cast including Thomas Mitchell, Rita Hayworth, and Noah Beery Jr., with director Howard Hawks, the film follows pilots who fly mail throughout South America. Grant is the head of the dangerous operation and it becomes apparent to Arthur that he is callous,   read more

Pretty Clever Films Posted by Wade Sheeler on February 18, 2013

Only Angels Have Wings airs February 22, 2013 on TCM at 5:45 pm EST. Howard Hawks is considered one of the great classic film directors. His contemporaries defined him as a “man’s man,” both in his attitude, demeanor and the ethos his characters displayed over his six decade long career...   read more

Hollywood Revue Posted by Angela on August 22, 2011

When Bonnie Lee’s (Jean Arthur) boat docks in Barranca, she gets off the boat thinking she’ll just be in town for the night. But when she meets American pilots Joe (Noah Beery, Jr.) and Les (Allyn Joslyn), she’s happy to meet some fellow Americans and starts spending the evening   read more

Movie Classics Posted by Judy on February 21, 2009

After  seeing two earlier Howard Hawks movies about flying, The Dawn Patrol and Ceiling Zero, I couldn’t resist watching his most famous airborne drama. Not surprisingly, I loved this one too. I’ve now watched it twice and am sure I’ll be returning to it in the future. Cary Grant Hawks...   read more