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Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:15 pm

The other day I was watching Airforce on TCM. A good movie even though its very corny in parts. It got me to thinking what movies have B-17's been in? Off the very top of my head these come to mind; Twelve O'Clock High (the best), Airforce, Test Pilot, Memphis Belle and one of the James Bond movies. I know Scott Thompson covers this topic in his "Final Cut" book but I thought between everyone here we can come up w/ a complete list with little problem.

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:37 pm

One movie that is often overlooked is "Passage to Marseille" with Humphrey Bogart. The opening and closing scenes have Bogart's character as a waist gunner in a Free French Squadron in the RAF flying Fortress IIs (B-17Es --- maybe F models?). I'd love to find out the IDs of the planes involved.

The plane's squadron code and letter were V4-V (V Four Victor..., a direct reference to "V for Victory")

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:48 pm

Not a movie, so maybe this doesn't count, but B-17G Chuckie was the star of an episode of the old childrens' TV series Benji (yes, the one about the little shaggy dog).

There were lots of parked B-17s in Best Years of Our Lives.

We dare not forget one of the all-time best: The War Lover.

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 3:12 pm

Your question begs to ask, real B-17's or mock-ups representing B-17's, such as Spielberg's "The Mission"?

The B-17 "Pink Lady" (B-17G-85VE 44-8846) was in "The Biggest Bundle of them All" back in 1968, "Memphis Belle" and "Red Tails".
"Thunderball" was the Bond film that featured the ex-CIA B-17 with the Fulton System.
Jerry

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 3:25 pm

K5DH wrote:Not a movie, so maybe this doesn't count, but B-17G Chuckie was the star of an episode of the old childrens' TV series Benji (yes, the one about the little shaggy dog).

There were lots of parked B-17s in Best Years of Our Lives.

We dare not forget one of the all-time best: The War Lover.

B.Y.o.O.L. is a gr8 movie. The main characters are flying home to Boone City in a B-17 at the beginning of the film.

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 5:57 pm

LSFM's Thunderbird was used the the HBO film "The Tuskegee Airmen".

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:48 pm

There is the "Shadow" in Dr. Strangelove!

And the B-17 scene in Heavy Metal! :axe:

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 7:57 pm

K5DH wrote:Not a movie, so maybe this doesn't count, but B-17G Chuckie was the star of an episode of the old childrens' TV series Benji (yes, the one about the little shaggy dog).

The same bird was used in a kid's show in the same timeframe, something about someone dealing with an alien, and describing the use of such planes to a being who had no idea of their use. They called it, the "Clipper Chuckie." I can't remember what show it was, but I do clearly recall that.

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 8:20 pm

Chain lightning with Bogie.

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:37 pm

Sentimental Journey in 1941

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:54 pm

MacArthur, 1,000 Plane Raid, For the Boys, I Wanted Wings, Ladies Courageous, Command Decision, Twelve O'Clock High, Test Pilot, War Lover, Memphis Belle, The Lady Takes a Flyer, Flight to Ashiya are just some of the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
Jerry

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Tue Nov 19, 2013 11:48 pm

Tora Tora Tora with an unscripted and real emergency landing when one of the main gears wouldn't come down on the B-17


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XvGpmoSuoA

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:39 am

Wasn't there a B-17 in an airfield scene of the movie "1941"? HA! I should read closer before posting!! Nevermind! :lol:
Last edited by Locobuster on Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:39 am

Birchinal's (now Weeks') B-17 has a brief cameo in "MacArthur" with Gregory Peck. I also recall seeing Texas Raiders in the background of a scene in a TV miniseries about Eisenhower starring Robert Duval. There's also an SB-17 featured in the rather cheesy airliner-in-peril melodrama "The High And The Mighty."

SN

Re: Movie appearences by a B-17

Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:41 am

High and the Mighty.
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