Review of Only Angels Have Wings (1939) by Nivedita H — 28 Jan 2009

Howard Hawks' surprisingly dark film about mail pilots in the Banana Republic and their often dangerous lives is one of the great "lost" classics of Hollywood's golden era. Although the film was financially successful and well received by critics and audiences when originally released, it has since become a distant memory to many of even the most avid classic film fans. This is unfortunate, for the film is a flawless combination of thrilling drama, light comedy, and special effects that are still very effective today. The film is uncommonly unsentimental and realistic when compared to other films from the same era, and is all the better for it.

Everything comes together perfectly in this masterful drama, packed with action, suspense, romance and comedy. Jean Arthur, Cary Grant and Thomas Mitchell all hit peak form here and deliver stunning performances, putting across Jules Furthman's punchy dialogue with astonishing vitality.

Though a little disjointed and a little too long, "Only Angels Have Wings" has great atmosphere and some spectacular flying sequences and effects. Released in that golden year of 1939, it's another example of Hollywood at its apex.