The High And The Mighty

Cliche-bound but boosted by taut direction, memorable music and, for once, just right for CinemaScope. Wayne is a has-been pilot--"an ancient pelican" according to airline executive Toomey--now copiloting under the command of cocky Stack. Also on board is an inept navigator, Brown, and an apprentice pilot, Campbell, who constantly derides Wayne, even bringing up a terrible crash occurring years earlier which Wayne survived but in which his wife and young child were killed.

Beautiful, statuesque, and cool stewardess Doe Avedon makes 22 passengers comfortable as the airliner leaves Honolulu for San Francisco. Her passengers: divorce-seeking Day and Howard; shady m...