Warbird Information Exchange

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.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

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")

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.

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Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

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

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

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.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

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

There is the "Shadow" in Dr. Strangelove!

And the B-17 scene in Heavy Metal!

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.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

Chain lightning with Bogie.

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Hang The Expense

Sentimental Journey in 1941

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Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

BOOM BOOM, ROUND ROUND, PROPELLER GO

Don't Be A Dilbert!

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

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

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

Wasn't there a B-17 in an airfield scene of the movie "1941"? HA! I should read closer before posting!! Nevermind!

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Victory By Valor (Motto of the 20th Fighter Group)

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

High and the Mighty.