The best films of Cary Grant: #18 "Only Angels Have Wings" (1939)

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The exciting “Only Angels Have Wings” is considered one of the finest films by the famed Howard Hawks (“Red River”) who also wrote the story. In a rare departure from light romcoms, Grant is rugged here establishing here why he also appealed to male audiences. Hawks cast Jean Arthur after seeing her in Frank Capra films but director and leading lady fought over her character. Arthur later admitted Hawks was right. Grant’s Jeff is the hard nosed owner of an airline freight company flying goods over the Andes in South America. His “crates” are decrepit and dangerous to fly. Jeff pushes his flyers on near suicidal runs regardless of hardships to maintain flight schedules to get government subsidies. Arthur plays his showgirl girlfriend. His life is further complicated by the arrival of his former wife and her new ace flyer husband. Contemporary audiences would scoff at the dated special effects which were exciting for 1939. “Only Angels Have Wings” boasts something you will not see today in genuine ariel footage that was often dangerous to obtain. We get phony CGI now. Grant proves just as comfortable in an action picture. Rita Hayworth plays the ex-wife and “Only Angels Have Wings” was her breakthrough after years of toiling in minor parts and films. She was launched to superstardom.