Lost in the Stratosphere

There really are only two reasons to see this slight B-movie. First, if you are curious to see Jimmy Cagney's brother (William) act, this is one of the few films he made before becoming an agent. Second, if you are really excited by aviation and ballooning, then you might find this of some interest. Otherwise, the film simply isn't good enough to go out of your way to see it and it is, at best, a time-filler.

William Cagney plays a somewhat obnoxious aviator (Soapy Cooper). He spends most of the film trying to steal girls away from his VERY unfortunately named friend (Dick Wood). However, this plot seems lifted from a Jimmy Cagney film and William's screen presence just isn't as good--though he bears a pretty close resemblance to his famous brother.

Oddly, late in the film, Soapy falls for a lady who is, unknown to him, Dick's fiancée. Dick gets all bent out of shape and this spoils their friendship--though the film seriously neglects one VERY important point. How can Dick be so outraged when he, himself, has been chasing skirts throughout the film!? In other words, though secretly engaged to a lady, he is constantly chasing any lady who breathes! Nice guy, huh?! It all works itself out (naturally) in the end and according to a tried and true formula, all are friends and the credits roll.

Strengths are the ballooning segments and,....well,... nothing else. Deficits are pedestrian writing and acting as well as a formulaic plot that makes little sense at times.