Bailout at 43,000

Plot-- A married, reservist Air Force officer is called back to duty to help test a new bailout system for a high-flying bomber. It's hazardous duty, causing his wife consternation and himself doubts about his courage.

Pine-Thomas was a well-established production company, so it's not surprising that this is a well-made little feature. The acting is quite good, especially from Payne and Kelly, whose relationship of commander and subordinate is a complicated one. And that's along with utility actor Eddie Firestone, who may not look the part but manages real grit. Also, it looks like filming was done on location with no cheesy studio effects. Thus we get a look (I think) at the Naval Air Station's Parachute Unit shared by the Air Force in California's Imperial Valley. At least, IMDb lists the Valley as location site.

Though made at the height of the Cold War, the narrative's emphasis is on professionalism of the individual rather than patriotism of the flag. Can Maj. Peterson (Payne) still measure up to the confidence Col. Hughes (Kelly) has in him. After all, he now has a wife and son to be concerned about. So which duty has priority. My only gripe is with actress Steele as the Major's Marilyn Monroe wife. She performs well enough, but they've glamorized her to a phony Hollywood degree that she even cooks in high heels! Then too, the bingo game for officer's wives looks like an assembly of fashion models. I guess the producers felt there was an important public image to project.

Anyway, the movie exceeded expectations, given the title. And though dated in many respects, facing up to challenge is a trans-generational theme, as relevant now as it was then.