Ceiling Zero

• James Cagney: Dizzy Davies
• Pat O'Brien: Jake Lee
• June Travis: Tommy Thomas
• Barton MacLane: Al Stone
• Stuart Erwin: Texas Clark
• Henry Wadsworth: Lawson
• Craig Reynolds: Inspector Allen
• Isabel Jewell: Lou Clark
• Addison Richards: Fred Adams
• Martha Tibbetts: Mary Lee

Height zero is an American adventure film from 1936 by Howard Hawks. The screenplay is based on the eponymous play by screenwriter Frank Wead, who was himself a pilot in the U.S. Navy.

Action

The managing director of the Newark Federal Airlines Al Stone is against the termination of the pilot Dizzy Davies mail pilot by his subordinates Jake Lee. Lee and known as a womanizer and daredevil aviator Davies are old friends. Davies met the pilot, Tommy Thomas, in which he falls in love. To spend time with her, he pretends to suffer from heart ailments. The planned flight for him to Cincinnati accepts his friend Clark Texas. The flight is dangerous due to bad weather. On the return flight Clark gets into a thick fog, visibility is zero. And he has wireless issues. During the landing attempt at Newark Clark can no longer control his machine and bangs her in a hangar. The aircraft caught fire, but Clark can be salvaged from the machine and taken to a hospital.

Lee finds out not only that Davies has falsely called in sick. He also learns from a previous affair that his friend had with his wife Mary. As Davies runs the risk of losing his pilot's license, but Lee stands behind him. He negotiates with Inspector Allen from the Ministry of Economy. The airline is to buy low-quality machines from aircraft manufacturer Adams, but Davies is to retain his license. Davies rejects, however, to keep his license by such a trade.

Meanwhile, Clark died of his injuries. Davies gets guilt, because Clark's widow, Lou makes him serious allegations. A weather front moves on, the Lee prompted to cancel all night flights. He is looking at Lou and lets Davies as proxies at the airport. Lawson, a pilot who has not noticed the cancellation comes into the hangar. Davies denied the flight with the new machines that have problems with the de-icing. Then Davies Lawson knocks and rises itself into one of the machines. Lee and the others are shocked when they return to the airfield. Davies is on radio by the problems with the de-icing and also to his views on the problem solution. During his flight through a snowstorm the ice that brings the aircraft to crash grows.

Reviews

The lexicon of the International film about the film: "With temperament staged, exactly in the description of the atmosphere and played brilliantly: A homage to the pioneers of aviation, friendship and camaraderie; mixed up with a stereotype of women who enter at best, as an aid for the men in appearance. "

The Variety points out that the film is going to the play time and in details is even better. The structure of the play will faithfully followed.

Frank S. Nugent wrote in the New York Times, a brittle piece of theater had been transformed into a robust and virile film. The handsome production is concisely written and performed perfectly.

Also, Dave Kehr from the " Chicago Reader" is impressed by the excellent flyer drama. He also praises Cagney perfect portrait as well as the perfectly launched fast-paced dialogue.

Background

The film was premiered on January 16, 1936 in the United States. In Germany, he first appeared on 21 May 1975 as part of a TV premiere in the third program of the WDR. He was also under the title Flight level zero broadcast.

The play on which the film is based, was premiered on April 10, 1935 and played 104 times.

In a small supporting role as a mechanic of the jazz musician Jerry Jerome is seen. The costumes by Orry- Kelly. As an assistant director who later became director Lesley Selander worked. Musical director was Leo F. Forbstein.

A remake of the film was shot in 1941 directed by Lothar Mendes and Lewis Seiler. In the film International Squadron of the later U.S. President Ronald Reagan played the lead role.