Grimossfer
Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%
Kamila Bell
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Jenni Devyn
Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.
wes-connors
Following service in the Great War (aka World War I), US military men are assured their lives will be as good, if not better, than before they enlisted. But for three fighter pilots, this proves not to be the case. Handsome young Joel McCrea (as "Red") must give up his job as his company downsizes. Debonair drinker Robert Armstrong (as Woody) learns has business partner has squandered their fortune. And, brave leader Richard Dix (as "Gibby") loses his attractive girlfriend Mary Astor (as Follette Marsh) to a wealthy filmmaker who can advance her career. To make ends meet, the men go to Hollywood and become stunt pilots in aviation movies..."The Lost Squadron" is entertaining, due to some strange plotting...The "romance" part involves Mr. Dix and Mr. McCrea in competition for Mr. Armstrong's pretty young sister Dorothy Jordan, who is called the "Pest" (for some unfathomable reason). Dix also still likes Ms. Astor, who has married loudmouthed director Erich von Stroheim (as Arthur Von Furst) solely to advance her career. The scenes with Von Stroheim barking direction while filming battle scenes are a perverse highlight. After about 55 minutes, watch for Armstrong to wave a "middle finger" salute from his cockpit. It all leads to jealousy and attempts to murder. Why one crime is concealed from police is not particularly clear, although Dix asks nicely enough.***** The Lost Squadron (1932-03-10) George Archainbaud ~ Richard Dix, Robert Armstrong, Erich von Stroheim, Joel McCrea
David_Brown
The main reason to watch this movie is Erich Von Stroheim as Von Furst, he basically steals every single scene is in, and (spoilers) when he gets his you cheer. I like the Aviation scenes as well, and how "The Lost Squadron" portrays the difficulty of four servicemen returning home. Another standout is Dorothy Jordan as "The Pest." (the Sister of one of the Airmen Woody (Robert Armstrong)). The biggest complaint is about Mary Astor, who is the former love interest of Woody (Richard Dix), who gives it all up for Hollywood. Oddly enough, the exact opposite of Jordan, who did it for Producer Merian C. Cooper. This actress does nothing for me, and never did, and her disappearing act at the end does not help either. Was not a big fan of Joel McRae's (Red) in this movie either, a very weak character, who (spoilers)is the only one of the Airmen to survive (and ends up with "The Pest"). 8/10 Stars. It would be 10 without Astor & McRae.
karen5778
By now, everyone knows that this film is significant to anyone writing a dissertation on obscenity in popular culture because of the flipping of the bird. However, this is not the film's only claim to modernity. The collaboration of many skilled film makers at the beginning of the talkie era, it has several imaginatively crafted scenes, with one (you will know which one I mean) being positively Jarmuschesque. The sound track in particular is brilliant. I can't get the song of the wind out of my head.Plus, if you love Erich von Stroheim, and who doesn't, his character is based on him, or his reputation. Of course you love von Stroheim, who doesn't love Max from Sunset Boulevard? Here, he gets to show his directorial style, while giving the sort of all out performance he was trying to get out of his actors. If you like this, try "The Great Flamarion".I am not surprised to read that the ending was re-shot. My husband and I were both mystified the first time we saw it. Some of the plot is hackneyed, but the acting and production values transcend.
LeonLouisRicci
A rather different relic from the early sound era. The in vogue at the time fixation on "aeroplanes" was a justifiable wonder of the modern age. Also, the plight of the returning WWI soldiers was still very fresh in the public consciousness and this makes honorable use of the shortcomings of the soldiers homecomings.This one goes quickly from the end of the war to the behind the scenes making of Moving Pictures circa 1920 Hollywood and that makes it of interest to film buffs (and flight freaks). Add in a bonus of Von Stroheim playing pretty much a take on his own eccentricities of a real life troubled Director.It is a well mounted film with an interesting cast although Robert Armstrong's irritating drunk shows why, accept for King Kong the next year he will be forever mostly forgotten. But it is Stroheim, the on the set realism, the flying acrobatic special effects, and the dark ending that makes this an in interesting inclusion that has been parked in the Odd Cinema Hanger, and is only brought out once in awhile to be looked at like a Smithsonian.
