Men with Wings (1938): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1938, Men with Wings is a drama film directed by William A. Wellman, running about 105 minutes. “AMERICA'S GREATEST HEROES!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Reporter Nicholas Ranson is jubilant when, on 17 Dec 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright take their first airplane flight. Back home in Underwood, Maryland, however, his uncle Hiram F. Jenkins, owner and editor of the local newspaper, refuses to print the story. Nicholas quits and continues to work on his own airplane, with the devoted help of his little daughter Peggy. Peggy is actually the first in her family to fly when her friends, Patrick Falconer and Scott Barnes, induce her to get inside a large kite they have made, and run with it in a field until she is airborne. The kite is caught in a tree, however, and Peggy gets a black eye. Later, Nicholas dies when his experimental airplane crashes, leaving his wife and children alone. By Peggy's adulthood, planes are capable of flying at an altitude of 11,000 feet, and speeds of nearly 100 m.p.h. Peggy continues her father's obsession with flight by helping Scott and Pat to build a plane.

Who’s in it. Men with Wings stars Fred MacMurray as Pat Falconer, Ray Milland as Scott Barnes, Louise Campbell as Peggy Ranson and Andy Devine as Joe Gibbs, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, Men with Wings has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Men with Wings page.

If you liked it. Fans of Men with Wings tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.