FAQ

Much of the film was shot in and around Phoenix. The air field on which much of the action takes place was a real pilot training facility during World War Two. It did indeed train pilots from many countries, as explained in the early minutes of the film. One scene about half way through the movie was filmed at the famed Jokake Inn -- a prominent resort in the Phoenix area in the 1940s and 1950s. With the exception of one building, most of the resort has been demolished (the Phoenician Resort sits on the old site). There were three airfields, two of which were named Thunderbird and one Falcon Field. The movie appears to have been filmed at all three. The scenes are taken inside and outside the buildings and at one of the local lakes. One of the fields (in Glendale AZ) is now the Thunderbird School of Global Management. The Scottsdale, Thunderbird Field is now the Scottsdale Airport and Falcon Field, in Mesa, is still operating.

The lake scene was filmed at Saguaro Lake, however, the lunch scene there was apparently filmed on a sound stage (watch the shadows and changes in the background). The ranch scenes were filmed at a ranch located on the Bush Highway part way between Falcon Field and Saguaro Lake. The ranch was originally named El Rancho Grande but was later named Red Mountain Ranch after the mountain that can be seen in the background of the water tower and rodeo scenes. The card game was filmed on the covered walkway of the main ranch house. The ranch was demolished in the late 80s and is now the location of Las Sendas golf course and community.