TAILSPIN TOMMY: SKY PATROL (1939) John Trent, Majorie Reynolds & Milburn Stone | Adventure | B&W

Sky Patrol is a 1939 American film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring John Trent, along with Marjorie Reynolds, Milburn Stone and Jason Robards Sr. The film also featured actor and comedian Jackie Coogan, who began his film career as a child actor in silent films.Show more

Sky Patrol is based on the comic strip Tailspin Tommy by Hal Forrest and Glenn Chaffin. The third of four "Tailspin Tommy" films made by Monogram Pictures, Sky Patrolwas released on September 12, 1939.

SYNOPSIS
"Tailspin Tommy" Tompkins and "Skeeter" Milligan are training young U. S. Army fliers for the newly-formed 'Sky Patrol,'a branch of the Army Reserves which operates along the borders and coast-lines, on the lookout for smugglers. Carter Meade, whose father is the Colonel in charge of the patrol, has a terror of firing guns and his father insists he conquer this fear. Tommy sends him out on patrol, on orders from Washington D. C., to stop any unfamiliar aircraft. Carter challenges an unmarked amphibian plane, which opens fire on him. Carter, afraid to shoot, bails out as his plane is shot down. Carter is missing, and Tommy and Skeeter are searching for him and the mysterious airplane.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the final flying test for Sky Patrol graduation, instructor Tailspin Tommy Thompson (John Trent) flies with the son of flight commander Colonel Meade (Boyd Irwin). Carter Meade (Jackie Coogan) freezes during target practice but Tommy covers for him and he graduates.

When Bainbridge (Bryant Washburn), a weapons smuggler, is aware that the Sky Patrol will disrupt his smuggling operations. Carter sees an unidentified amphibious aircraft but is unable to fire on it and is shot down by Bainbridge, who takes him prisoner.

Carter is presumed dead but Tommy and Skeeter Milligan (Milburn Stone) locate a warehouse where the amphibious aircraft is hidden. Tracking the unknown aircraft to a ship rendezvous, Tommy and Skeeter try to get on board but are captured and locked up with Carter.

Monitoring the Sky Patrol radio, the smugglers learn the colonel and the Sky Patrol are heading for the ship. Tommy manages to set up explosives in the hold, and when the three prisoners are about to jump ship, Carter shoots a smuggler, ensuring their escape. The Colonel soon overpowers the rest of Bainbridge's men.

Tommy and Skeeter return to their commercial airline jobs, leaving Carter now in charge of the Sky Patrol.

CAST & CREW
John Trent as Tailspin Tommy Tomkins
Marjorie Reynolds as Betty Lou Barnes
Milburn Stone as Skeeter Milligan
Jackie Coogan as Carter Meade
Jason Robards Sr. as Paul Smith, Three Points Airfield Owner
Bryant Washburn as Bainbridge
Boyd Irwin as Colonel Meade
LeRoy Mason as Mitch
Hans Joby as Jackson
John Daheim as Ryan
Dickie Jones as Bobbie

Directed by Howard Bretherton
Written by Hal Forrest (comic strip "Tailspin Tommy" and story), George Waggner (screenplay) and Norton S. Parker
Produced by Paul Malvern
Cinematography Fred Jackman Jr.
Edited by Carl Pierson
Production company Monogram Pictures
Release date September 12, 1939
Running time 61 minutes
Country United States
Language English

NOTES
Principal photography for Sky Patrol took place at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport, from July 24 to late September 1939.[6]

Aviation film historian Stephen Pendo in Aviation in the Cinema (1985) saw Sky Patrol delving into familiar territory of "flying police". Earlier, Criminals of the Air (1937). Death in the Sky (also known as Pilot X) (1937), Reported Missing (1937), Mysterious Pilot (film serial) (1937 and Secret Service of the Air (1939) all dealt with similar scenarios of air police fighting criminals both on the ground and in the air.