“Desperate Journey” (1942)

“Desperate Journey” (1942) Rousing Raoul Walsh fare. A five-man WW2 bomber crew led by Flynn with Reagan, Alan Hale Sr. and Arthur Kennedy in tow, are shot down deep in enemy territory have to make their way across Europe while being pursued by a sneering Javert-like Nazi Major played by Raymond Massey. Aided by luck, their fists, and a woman from the Underground played by Nancy Coleman who had appeared with Ronnie earlier in “King’s Row.” (1942), The group banter their way to freedom though it’s not all fun and games as at times, there are tragic consequences and the gravity of warfare intervenes. Made early in the US involvement in the war, it has a lighter tone that later propaganda-ish films like “Destination Tokyo.” (1943). Reagan was called into military service as filming commenced and all his scenes were shot first. Flynn was ill during production and gets noticeably thinner. Critics were not happy about the juxtaposition of comedy and drama, Walsh later defended it by comparing it to “Hogan’s Heroes.”