The Wings of Eagles Overview:

The Wings of Eagles (1957) was a Biographical - Drama Film directed by John Ford and produced by Charles Schnee and James E. Newcom.

SYNOPSIS

This rarely screened Ford drama is among his most deeply felt, personal pictures. Frank "Spig" Wead (Wayne) was a screenwriter (Dirigible, Ceiling Zero, They Were Expendable) and one of the fathers of naval aviation. A man of action obsessed with his naval career, he was less successful sustaining a family life, eventually alienating wife O'Hara and unable to reach her even as their child dies. Features a dead-on impersonation of Ford himself by stock company player Bond.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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The Wings of Eagles

By Michael on Dec 7, 2015 From Le Mot du Cinephiliaque

This post is part of the “Try It, You’ll Like It!” Blogathon, hosted by Sister Celluloid and Movies Silently, where we write about “gateway films” that might bring non-classic-film lovers into the fold! The Wings of Eagles (John Ford, 1957) A biography of Navy ... Read full article


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Quotes from

Frank W. 'Spig' Wead: [while trying to regain nerve control of his toes in the hospital] I'm gonna move that toe!


Min Wead: I'm not going
Frank W. 'Spig' Wead: Stay broke and keep moving that the story of our lives.
Min Wead: Spig you got two daughters and they lived in seven different houses and seven seven states and seven different years back and forth across the country and out of it too. Well, I'm just not going to move them anymore.
Frank W. 'Spig' Wead: Well, Have a Drink


Min Wead: Why don't you!
Frank W. 'Spig' Wead: Alright, I been thinking what a heel I been about you and my own kids, I do something I go all the way, living, gambling, flying, tap myself out I guess that what I wanted to be. Maybe way I am.
Min Wead: Star spangled Spad damn the marguritte and full speed ahead and don't give up the ship.
Frank W. 'Spig' Wead: Have a drink, Listen Min I'm trying to say I been a fool, first grade gold brand
Min Wead: So Have I!
Frank W. 'Spig' Wead: [Grabs her] Okay, Let change it, lets grow up before our kids do
Min Wead: We better hurry up.
[They kiss passionate]


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Facts about

The real Frank Wead grew noticeably balder as he got older (WWII era). In order to be accurate about that, this is the only film in which John Wayne appears without his toupee.
According to director John Ford, "Everything in the picture was true. The fight in the club - throwing the cake - actually happened. I can verify that as an eyewitness. I ducked it. And the plane landing in the swimming pool right in the middle of the Admiral's tea - that really happened."
This is the third time John Wayne worked with Maureen O'Hara
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Also produced by James E. Newcom


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