Overview

Director William A. Wellman adds another to his long line of salutes-to-aviation films in this bio of an aviation pioneer, John Montgomery (Glenn Ford.) In 1883 he built a practical glider despite the opposition of his friends, who thought he was crazy, and of his family, who were afraid that his dreams of flying would hurt his father's political ambitions. He pursues his education at Santa Clara University where the Jesuits lend a helping and understanding hand. An earthquake destroys what appears to be a working model for an airplane, but a gold-sorting machine Montgomery invented, and then neglected, promises to provide for his financial needs to keep working on his aircraft until he gets involved in costly lawsuits defending his invention.

Genres

Cast

Glenn Ford

John J. Montgomery

Janet Blair

Regina 'Ginny' Cleary

Charles Ruggles

Jim Montgomery

Henry Travers

Thomas Logan

Jimmy Lloyd

Dan Mahoney / Prof. LaSalle

Charles Kemper

Father "Dickie" Ball

Selena Royle

Mrs. Zachary Montgomery

Arthur Shields

Father Kenton

Willard Robertson

Zachary Montgomery

Wanda Perry

(uncredited)

Ernie Adams

Husband (uncredited)

Fernando Alvarado

Juan Morales (uncredited)