The High and the Mighty Photos

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Cast

John Wayne
as Dan Roman

Robert Stack
as John Sullivan

Claire Trevor
as May Holst

Laraine Day
as Lydia Rice

Jan Sterling
as Sally McKee

Phil Harris
as Ed Joseph

Robert Newton
as Gustave Pardee

David Brian
as Ken Childs

Paul Kelly
as Flaherty

Sidney Blackmer
as Humphrey Agnew

Doe Avedon
as Miss Spaulding

Karen Sharpe
as Nell Buck

John Smith
as Milo Buck

Julie Bishop
as Lillian Pardee

Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez
as Gonzalez

John Howard
as Howard Rice

Wally Brown
as Wilby

William Campbell
as Hobie Wheeler

Ann Doran
as Mrs. Joseph

John Qualen
as Jose Locota

Paul Fix
as Frank Briscoe

George Chandler
as Ben Sneed

Joy Kim
as Dorothy Chen

Michael Wellman
as Toby Field

Douglas Fowley
as Alsop

Regis Toomey
as Garfield

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
as Ensign Keim

Robert Keys
as Lt. Mowbray

William Hopper
as Roy

William Schallert
as Dispatcher

Julie Mitchum
as Susie

Robert Easton
as Cargo Clerk

Philip Van Zandt
as Mr. Wilson

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Critic Reviews for The High and the Mighty

Audience Reviews for The High and the Mighty

• Oct 16, 2013

  Silly bit of John Wayne foolery. It was a standard to put Wayne in non westerns to continue his interpretation of the perfect American frontiersmen in plots outside of the Old West. In most cases, it doesn't work.
  

  John B Super Reviewer
• Dec 21, 2009

  A good "Danger in the Skies" movie, which features Wayne in a non-western role, playing an "ancient Pelican" that is, an airline Pilot with a grim past. Yet, when something goes wrong on an transcontinental flight, he might redeem himself. The film mixes both what is going on within the faltering plane as well as discusses the passengers lives, through flashbacks, conversations on the plane and voiceovers. While it works superficially, it makes the movie feel episodic sometimes (like an episode of LOST), and flashbacks and voiceovers have never been my most appreciated tools of narration. Especially in an aviation disaster scenario, where density and continuity should be in focus. Still, the cast is solid and Wayne plays as great as ever. And the movie is shot in lushly coloured Cinemascope.
  Henrik S Super Reviewer
• Dec 16, 2007

  Fanastic little disaster film classic of the airborne with John Wayne where it strikes high above the Pacific Ocean at the point of no return. This film has more than enough fine moments generated by a cast of familiar faces to keep me interest. I didn't know this adventure film has six Academy Awards nominated that I was surprised to find out.
  Dean M Super Reviewer
• Aug 24, 2007

  Long before "Airport" (1970) ushered in a long line of airline disaster movies, there was "The High and the Mighty". This 1954 film features Robert Stack as a pilot trying to make San Francisco with a disabled plane and forty frightened passengers. John Wayne is the veteran co-pilot and the voice of reason on what may be their last flight. According to the DVD commentary, Spencer Tracey was originally signed to play Wayne's role but bowed out at the last minute. Lucky for us Duke fans that he did because John Wayne turned in what may be his most understated and under appreciated performance ever.
  Kevin S Super Reviewer

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