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The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress is a 1944 documentary film which ostensibly provides an account of the final mission of the crew of the Memphis Belle, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. In May 1943 it became the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States. The dramatic 16 mm color film of actual battles was made by three cinematographers, including First Lieutenant Harold J. Tannenbaum. Tannebaum, a veteran of World War I, was killed in action during the filming when the bomber he was in was shot down over France on April 16, 1943. The film was directed by Major William Wyler, narrated by Eugene Kern, and had scenes at its station, RAF Bassingbourn, photographed by Hollywood cinematographer Captain William H. Clothier. It was made under the auspices of the First Motion Picture Unit, part of the United States Army Air Forces. The film actually depicted the next to last mission of the crew (see below) on May 15, 1943, and was made as a morale-building inspiration for the Home Front by showing the everyday courage of the men who manned these bombers.
Original Release
04/13/1944
US Release
04/13/1944
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Stanley Wray | Self - Group Commander / Himself (group commander) |
Robert Morgan | Self - Pilot / Himself (Pilot) |
James A. Verinis | Self - Co-Pilot |
Robert J. Hanson | Self - Radio Operator |
Charles B. Leighton | Self - Navigator |
Harold P. Loch | Self - Engineer and Top Turret Gunner |
John P. Quinlan | Self - Tail Gunner |
Cecil H. Scott | Self - Turret Gunner |
Vince Evans | Self - Bombardier / Himself |
Clarence E. Winchell | Self - Waist Gunner |
Directors
Writers
William Wyler, Jerome Chodorov, Lester Koenig
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Stanley Wray | Self - Group Commander / Himself (group commander) |
Robert Morgan | Self - Pilot / Himself (Pilot) |
James A. Verinis | Self - Co-Pilot |
Robert J. Hanson | Self - Radio Operator |
Charles B. Leighton | Self - Navigator |
Harold P. Loch | Self - Engineer and Top Turret Gunner |
John P. Quinlan | Self - Tail Gunner |
Cecil H. Scott | Self - Turret Gunner |
Vince Evans | Self - Bombardier / Himself |
Clarence E. Winchell | Self - Waist Gunner |
Casimer A. Nastal | Self - Waist Gunner |
Haywood Hansell | Self - USAAF / Himself (USAAF) |
King George VI | Self - Congratulates Crew of Memphis Belle / Himself |
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother | Self - Congratulates Crew of Memphis Belle / Herself |
Ira C. Eaker | Self - Commander: 8th Air Force / Himself (commander, 8th Air Force) |
Jacob L. Devers | Self - U.S. Commander: European Theatre / Himself (commander, European theatre) |
Art Gilmore | Additional narration |
Eugene Kern | Narrator |
Arthur Kennedy | Crewman |