BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Anoushka Slater While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

kijii If you are interested in the aviation history (in general) or naval aviation (in particular), you might find this movie interesting. Otherwise, as a movie plot, the story is very thin indeed. George Brent and John Payne play two naval brothers. Their father was a naval aviation hero, and Brent has followed in his footsteps as an aviator and instructor at the training station in Pensacola Florida. His younger brother, who has always looked up to him, wants to transfer from submarines to aviation after seeing his brother. Filmed at the naval aviation bases in Pensacola and San Diego, there are some interesting shots of training sessions in the film. De Havilland plays Brent's fiancée who falls in love with Payne. Frank McHugh adds some humur, with that characteristic laugh of his, as one of Payne's fellow trainees.Again, any plot here is overshadowed, for better or worse, by the aviation shots, thus making this more of a recruiting film than a movie with an interesting plot.

Mikel3 I watched 'Wings of the Navy' (1939) on TCM Today. I wouldn't say it was a great film, it was entertaining and fun to see a VERY young John Payne and Olivia de Havilland in action. Olivia de Havilland was quite a talented beauty. She was at her peak in those years (1930s through the 40s) IMO. John Payne looked even younger than his 27 years at the time. I notice a marked improvement in his performance 8 years later in 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947). In this movie he did little more than wear a uniform well and deliver his lines appropriately. George Brent was good in it as John Payne's older brother. He always could do the dignified characters well. I'd rate this a 4 out of 10 stars. I was just reading this about the movie at the IMDb: " 'Lux Radio Theater' broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on October 7, 1940 with George Brent, John Payne and Olivia de Havilland reprising their film roles." I find it interesting how many old films had the original cast do radio versions too. BTW - I enjoyed the footage of the early flying boat aircraft...especially the larger two engine models.

xerses13 WINGS OF THE NAVY is a typical service picture of the time. It features parallel stories of a young Naval Aviator (John Payne) training and his eventual involvement with his Brothers' (George Brent) fiancé (Olivia De Havilland). It will come to nobodies surprise that this triangle will end in favor of the younger and better looking Payne with De Havilland. Brent no doubt retiring back to Bette Davis. The rest of the films cast is rounded out by standard WARNER BROTHERS contract players.The real Stars' are the Planes and training facilities of the U.S. Navy. It is quite evident that the U.S.N. was deeply committed to the expansion of its air arm. This film focusing primarily on training, then the PBY Catalina Flying Boat, one of the most successful aircraft of its type, many still flying today. The prime striking arm of the U.S.N. the Aircraft Carriers are largely ignored.Seeing this film a American no doubt felt that our Navy was ready for war. Others watching would not think so. Our future Allies' Great Britain and Soviet Russia were already flying the more advanced Fighters, Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire and Polikarpov I-16 respectively. Future enemy Imperial Japan featured the likes of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero (I.J.N.) and Nakajima Ki-43 (I.J.A.), Nazi Germany their Messerschmitt BF-109 (Me-109). Even the Italians looked more impressive with their Reggiane Re.2000.In the film our most advanced (experimental) Fighter is one of character George Brents' design. It is a Bi-Plane, looking more suitable for WWI then the coming conflict. No wonder Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany seeing films like this had such a low opinions of our war fighting capabilities. Fortunetly like a iceberg the unseen was far more impressive then what could easily be observed. They would find this out in less then a year once war commenced. Much to their chagrin.

Arthur Hausner The U.S. Navy Department cooperated fully with the making of this film, which was dedicated to the United States Naval Aviation Service. With war clouds hovering over Europe, the Navy knew that enlistments would increase with the release of the movie, so they eagerly allowed on-location shooting at the Naval Air Training Station in Pensicola, Florida and the Naval Air Station on North Island in San Diego, California, and allowed the use of naval equipment. I was surprised at the clunky WWI biplanes used for training in Pensicola, but was impressed with the huge "flying boats" in San Diego. These were multi-crew seaplanes which were lifted out of the water by huge cranes for storage on land, an impressive sight. The movie is sprinkled with a bit of tedious romantic rivalry between brothers George Brent and John Payne for Olivia de Havilland, some comedy provided by Frank McHugh, and some suspense about the outcome of a test flight of a plane Brent designed. It's very typical of the military films of the period, following a group of would-be pilots, some of whom make it and some of whom don't.