The McConnell Story

Director: Gordon Douglas Gordon Douglas

Overview

Alan Ladd plays real-life air force hero Captain Joseph McConnell Jr. in this inspirational biopic, while June Allyson does her usual as McConnell's anxious, waiting-nervously-at-home wife. Assigned to the medical corps during WWII, McConnell takes private flying lessons so that he'll qualify for pilot duty. After serving with distinction in the war, McConnell becomes a pioneer in the testing of jet aircraft. The film ends when McConnell dies while testing a new Sabre Jet. If June Allyson seems genuinely broken up upon learning of her screen husband's death, it may be because the real Captain Joseph McConnell died only a few weeks before filming started on The McConnell Story, necessitating a hurriedly rescripted ending.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/06/2010
UPC:	0883316232460
Original Release:	1955
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:47:00
Sales rank:	26,663

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Alan Ladd	Capt. Joseph C.'Mac' McConnell, Jr.
June Allyson	Pearl 'Butch' Brown
James Whitmore	Ty 'Dad' Whitman
Frank Faylen	Sykes
Robert Ellis	Bob
Willis Bouchey	Newton Bass,Newton Bass
Sarah Selby	Mom
Gregory Walcott	1st MP
John Pickard	2nd MP,Second MP
Frank Ferguson	Mechanic
Perry Lopez	Red
Dabbs Greer	Pilot Instructor
Edward Platt	Medical Corps Instructor
Vera Marshe	Blonde
Max Steiner	Composer

Technical Credits

Ted Sherdeman

Sam Rolfe

Henry Blanke	Producer
Gordon Douglas	Director
Ted Sherdeman	Screenwriter
Sam Rolfe	Screenwriter
Charles Lang	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Most Hollywood biopics play exceptionally fast and loose with the truth, but The McConnell Story does a decent job of sticking fairly close to the facts. It deserves credit for this -- but it's a shame that the screenwriters couldn't come up with more rounded characters and more flavorful dialogue as well. This flaw, which fortunately doesn't derail the picture, means that the film has stretches when it drags a bit. But those stretches are made up for by the exciting aerial sequences, of which there are plenty. Director Gordon M. Douglas and cinematographer John F. Seitz do a superb job of creating a "you are there" feeling as McConnell learns the ropes of flying and as he embarks on a number of exciting, often tense flights. As the title character, Alan Ladd is once again a master of underplaying -- for some, perhaps too much a master, as his consistent "keep it inside" manner makes the character a bit distant and remote. June Allyson, however, goes for broke with her emotional scenes, especially near the end, and does a fine job of fleshing out a character that seems to exist for no reason other than to gaze admiringly at her husband, worry extensively and have babies. There's also fine support from the likes of James Whitmore, and sound designer Charles Lang deserves recognition for his fine work in the aerial sequences.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler