Starring Glenn Ford, Janet Blair, Charles Ruggles, Henry Travers, Jimmy
Lloyd
Directed by William A. Wellman

Print: black/white
Runtime: 85 min.
Genre: drama
Print Quality: B

Director William A. Wellman adds another to his long line of
salutes-to-aviation films in this bio of an aviation pioneer, John
Montgomery (Glenn Ford.) In 1883 he built a practical glider despite the
opposition of his friends, who thought he was crazy, and of his family,
who were afraid that his dreams of flying would hurt his father's political
ambitions. He pursues his education at Santa Clara University where the
Jesuits lend a helping and understanding hand. An earthquake destroys
what appears to be a working model for an airplane, but a gold-sorting
machine Montgomery invented, and then neglected, promises to provide
for his financial needs to keep working on his aircraft until he gets
involved in costly lawsuits defending his invention.