Parachute Jumper

1933
Passed
1h 12m

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

1.3K

YOUR RATING

Bette Davis and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in Parachute Jumper (1933)

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1 Video

38 Photos

Action Crime Drama

To share expenses, unemployed Alabama moves in with also unemployed Bill and Toodles. Bill is hired by a gangster's mistress and ultimately becomes the gangster's bodyguard. Alabama unknowin... Read allTo share expenses, unemployed Alabama moves in with also unemployed Bill and Toodles. Bill is hired by a gangster's mistress and ultimately becomes the gangster's bodyguard. Alabama unknowingly applies for a stenographer's job at Mr. Weber's (the gangster's) business. Bill is for... Read allTo share expenses, unemployed Alabama moves in with also unemployed Bill and Toodles. Bill is hired by a gangster's mistress and ultimately becomes the gangster's bodyguard. Alabama unknowingly applies for a stenographer's job at Mr. Weber's (the gangster's) business. Bill is forced to fly a plane carrying narcotics into the U.S. but fights back.

Director
- Alfred E. Green
Writers
- Rian James
- John Francis Larkin
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

1.3K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Alfred E. Green
Writers
- Rian James
- John Francis Larkin
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

The Colonel
(uncredited)

Stanley Blystone

Cop
(uncredited)

Harry C. Bradley

Man in Society for Prohibition Enforcement Office
(uncredited)

Ed Brady

Capt. J.C. Mason
(uncredited)

Walter Brennan

Counterman at Jewel Diner
(uncredited)

George Chandler

Chauffeur
(uncredited)

G. Pat Collins

Tom Crowley
(uncredited)

Gordon De Main

Narcotics Squad
(uncredited)

Sayre Dearing

Nightclub Patron
(uncredited)

Frank Fanning

Detective at Nightclub
(uncredited)

Director
- Alfred E. Green
Writers
- Rian James
- John Francis Larkin
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
In his autobiography Douglas Fairbanks Jr. claims that Bette Davis thought Director Alfred E. Green's sense of humor as infantile. Fairbanks characterized his co-star as "not particularly pretty; in fact, I thought her quite plain, but one didn't easily forget her unique personality." He also remembered her as "always conscientious, serious... devoid of humor of any kind." Despite this, Producer Fairbanks hired her two decades later to star in "Another Man's Poison."

Goofs
When Keller returns to the theatre to pick up Weber and Mrs. Newberry, she enters first sitting behind the driver's side of the car while Weber seats behind the passenger's side. But when they arrive at the first location where Weber gets off, they are now seating in the reverse positions.

Quotes
Bill Keller: Why don't you dig in with me? I got a room. I only owe two weeks rent.
Patricia 'Alabama' Brent: Say, do I look like that?
Bill Keller: It's no proposition. You're out in the rainstorm and you haven't got an umbrella.

Connections
Featured in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Soundtracks
The Marines' Hymn
(uncredited)
Traditional Marines song (circa 1850)
Played during opening credits and often as background

User reviews29

Review

Featured review

7/10

Flying in the depression

Love Bette Davis, and 'Parachute Jumper' is another film where she was my main reason for seeing it in the first place with no prior knowledge of it before. My recommended for you section and wanting to see all of her films and performances (up to this point had seen most but not all) are to thank for that. Liked the idea of the story and was interested too in seeing how Davis and the always watchable Douglas Fairbanks Jr would fare working together.

They fare very well together indeed, and 'Parachute Jumper' is a very enjoyable and well done film. It's an early Davis film and role and although she did go on to better things this is a long way from being a waste of her massive amount of talent. Fairbanks is similarly well served, if not at his best. 'Parachute Jumper' may have been made quickly and not on the highest of budgets, but manages to have more enjoyment and entertainment value than some expensively made productions, old and now.

Sure 'Parachute Jumper' is not perfect. The story can be messy at times and tries to do too much, shifting uneasily between them quickly which gave a jumpy feel.

Wouldn't have said no to Davis having more to do. Occasionally the camera lacks finesse but that is more forgivable.

However, 'Parachute Jumper' really doesn't look too bad for a quickie, some have looked much worse. Some nice shots here that clearly had a ball capturing the stunts and airwork. No wonder as the stunts and airwork are never less than astounding and the best of them jaw dropping. Alfred Green does a very nice job directing, keeping things moving and allowing the cast to have fun, which they do.

'Parachute Jumper's' script is one of its major assets, its sparkling wit is just infectious and some of it is surprisingly daring, being made before the code was enforced (likewise with censorship), meaning more flexibility and risks. The film moves at a fast clip, and well as the great chemistry of the cast it's its boldly honest look at the Depression, no sugar-coating here, and the pre-code material. Fairbanks and Davis are immensely charming and look as if they were having fun, Davis also is at her most adorable. Fairbanks and an amusing Frank McHugh work well too.

All in all, very enjoyable. 7/10