Dirigible

1931
Approved
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Jack Bradon is tasked to reach the South Pole with a dirigible.Jack Bradon is tasked to reach the South Pole with a dirigible.Jack Bradon is tasked to reach the South Pole with a dirigible.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

782

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins total

Top cast20

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Jack Holt

Jack Bradon

Fay Wray

Helen Pierce

Ralph Graves

'Frisky' Pierce

Hobart Bosworth

Louis Rondelle

Roscoe Karns

Sock McGuire

Harold Goodwin

Hansen

Clarence Muse

Clarence

Emmett Corrigan

Rear Adm. John S. Martin
(as Emmet Corrigan)

Richard Alexander

Radio Operator
(uncredited)

Bess Flowers

Party Guest
(uncredited)

George 'Gabby' Hayes

Parade Official
(uncredited)

Edward Hearn

Admiral's Aide
(uncredited)

Selmer Jackson

Lt. Rowland
(uncredited)

Eddie Kane

Lakehurst Radio Announcer
(uncredited)

Kenneth MacDonald

Lt. Fogarty
(uncredited)

Adrian Morris

Dirigible 'Los Angeles' Crewman
(uncredited)

William H. O'Brien

Sailor
(uncredited)

Broderick O'Farrell

Doctor
(uncredited)

Director
- Frank Capra
Writers
- Frank Wead
- Jo Swerling
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Forbidden

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The production was shot during a California heat wave. To form vapor on the breath and give the impression that the pilots were in the Antarctic, the performers were given lumps of 'dry ice' (frozen carbon dioxide) in metal boxes to put in their mouths. Hobart Bosworth found the box cumbersome and simply put the ice in his mouth. He lost his tongue and most of his lower jaw.

Goofs
The name of this Dirigible was the USS Pensacola but there was already a USN heavy cruiser of the same name that was in service since 1928 when this movie was made. The Navy does not assign duplicate names to ships/air ships in service at the same time.

Connections
Featured in Frank Capra's American Dream (1997)

Soundtracks
Anchors Aweigh
(1906) (uncredited)
Music by Charles A. Zimmerman
Lyrics by Alfred Hart Miles and R. Lovell
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
Sung by guests at a party

It captures a bygone era's sense of adventure

I liked this film for it conveys a can-do-attitude that was so prevalent in America at that time. This movie was made (1931) in a time when man was just beginning to test the limits of himself, machine, and the elements (it was only 5 years earlier in 1927 that Limbergh crossed the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis.) This movie focused on the race to the south pole and it made for good entertainment. The special effects for the time were very good.

The human interest aspect of the film showed the negative side of ambition (how it affected a marriage and a friendship)this I found interesting. The character development in the one, Frisky, was especially satisfying.

I would recommend this movie to anyone--however do not compare it to the movies of our time--that would be a disservice to the movie.