13 Hours by Air (Drama, 1936)

13 Hours by Air (1936), also known as 20 Hours by Air, is an American drama film directed by Mitchell Leisen and produced by Paramount Pictures. It stars Fred MacMurray and Joan Bennett, with a supporting cast including ZaSu Pitts and Brian Donlevy. The film is a pre-Code drama that combines elements of romance, adventure, and suspense, set against the backdrop of early commercial aviation.
Genre
Drama: The film is primarily a drama, with elements of romance and adventure, focusing on the personal and professional challenges faced by its characters during a transcontinental flight.

Plot
The story centers on Jack Gordon (Fred MacMurray), a pilot for a commercial airline, who is tasked with flying a plane from New York to San Francisco in record time. The flight is fraught with tension due to a storm and mechanical issues, but the primary conflict arises from personal dynamics aboard the plane.
Jack's love interest, Felice (Joan Bennett), is a passenger who initially bets him that he cannot complete the flight in time for a dinner date. As the journey progresses, Jack must navigate not only the physical dangers but also the emotional entanglements, including a rivalry with another pilot, Steve (Brian Donlevy), and the presence of a stowaway, Andy (ZaSu Pitts), who adds comic relief.
The plot thickens when a passenger, Palmer (Alan Baxter), attempts to hijack the plane, leading to a dramatic confrontation. Jack's quick thinking and piloting skills ultimately save the day, allowing him to land safely and win his bet with Felice, setting the stage for a romantic resolution.
Cast
Fred MacMurray as Jack Gordon: MacMurray plays the determined pilot, showcasing his charisma and action-hero qualities.

Joan Bennett as Felice: Bennett portrays the spirited passenger who challenges Jack, bringing a mix of charm and vulnerability to her role.

ZaSu Pitts as Andy: Pitts provides comic relief as the nervous stowaway, adding a lighter tone to the film's tension.

Brian Donlevy as Steve: Donlevy plays the rival pilot, adding a layer of competition and conflict.

Alan Baxter as Palmer: Baxter is the antagonist who attempts to hijack the plane, heightening the stakes.

Dean Jagger as Vic: Jagger appears in a supporting role, contributing to the ensemble cast.

Additional Notes
Production Context: The film was made during a period when air travel was still novel and risky, reflecting public fascination with aviation. The original title, 20 Hours by Air, was changed to 13 Hours by Air to align with the recent speed records set by aviators like Wiley Post and Jimmy Doolittle.

Critical Reception: Contemporary reviews, such as Frank S. Nugent's in The New York Times, described the film as "pleasant," noting the chemistry between MacMurray and Bennett and the film's brisk pacing.

Technical Aspects: The film was praised for its use of early aviation technology and the depiction of flight challenges, which were both thrilling and realistic for the audience of the time.

13 Hours by Air is a snapshot of 1930s cinema, combining the glamour of early air travel with the personal dramas of its characters, making it a notable entry in the pre-Code era of Hollywood.