The main reason to watch this movie is Erich Von Stroheim as Von Furst, he basically steals every single scene is in, and (spoilers) when he gets his you cheer. I like the Aviation scenes as well, and how "The Lost Squadron" portrays the difficulty of four servicemen returning home. Another standout is Dorothy Jordan as "The Pest." (the Sister of one of the Airmen Woody (Robert Armstrong)). The biggest complaint is about Mary Astor, who is the former love interest of Woody (Richard Dix), who gives it all up for Hollywood. Oddly enough, the exact opposite of Jordan, who did it for Producer Merian C. Cooper. This actress does nothing for me, and never did, and her disappearing act at the end does not help either. Was not a big fan of Joel McRae's (Red) in this movie either, a very weak character, who (spoilers)is the only one of the Airmen to survive (and ends up with "The Pest"). 8/10 Stars. It would be 10 without Astor & McRae.

By now, everyone knows that this film is significant to anyone writing a dissertation on obscenity in popular culture because of the flipping of the bird. However, this is not the film's only claim to modernity. The collaboration of many skilled film makers at the beginning of the talkie era, it has several imaginatively crafted scenes, with one (you will know which one I mean) being positively Jarmuschesque. The sound track in particular is brilliant. I can't get the song of the wind out of my head.Plus, if you love Erich von Stroheim, and who doesn't, his character is based on him, or his reputation. Of course you love von Stroheim, who doesn't love Max from Sunset Boulevard? Here, he gets to show his directorial style, while giving the sort of all out performance he was trying to get out of his actors. If you like this, try "The Great Flamarion".I am not surprised to read that the ending was re-shot. My husband and I were both mystified the first time we saw it. Some of the plot is hackneyed, but the acting and production values transcend.

4 buddy WWI pilots, out of work after the war, start doing stunt flying on a Hollywood movie, directed by the evil Eric Von Stroheim (in an enjoyably over the top performance). Of course, as absurd movie luck would have it the leader of the squad's ex-girlfriend is now married to Von Stroheim, though she hates him. Von Stroheim plots to try to get his wife's ex-lover killed by getting him to try an an impossible stunt, and is going to make sure by putting acid on the planes control cables, but another flyer goes in his place and dies, and the remaining 3 grab Von Stroheim to get their revenge, leading to a tense, dark but pretty silly conclusion. While watching , the absurd plot twists and lack of logic really bugged me, but the next day I found myself thinking of it fondly, and sorry that has never seemed to have been made available on video.

This is a gritty pre-code adventure/thriller that just happened to be on TV last week at 1.30 in the morning!! It has a similar theme to another film "Lucky Devils" made in 1933.Dorothy Jordan was a very pretty ingenue who was kept extremely busy until her retirement in 1933 when she married Merian C. Cooper. Apparently she was about to be cast in "Flying Down to Rio" (1933) as Honey Hale but backed out to go on her honeymoon. The role went to Ginger Rogers. Dorothy plays "Pest" Curwood, kid sister of Woody (Robert Armstrong) one of a group of friends who were flying aces during the war. This gritty film shows how shamefully returned soldiers were really treated. They return to find things have changed. "Red" (Joel McCrea) returns to find his place of employment in the middle of re-trenchments. The war has made "Red" restless and he chooses to travel rather than go back to his old job. Woody is also restless but finds while he was away "on important business in France" his former business partner has swindled the company. Gibby (Richard Dix) returns to find his ambitious girlfriend, Follette (Mary Astor) has left him for a richer man.Years later "Red", Gibby and Fritz (Hugh Herbert) down on their luck, find themselves in Hollywood, hoping to catch up with Woody. Woody is the chief aerial stunt man in "Sky Heroes" which is having it's Hollywood premiere. The star is none other than Follette, who is married to the director Von Furst (Erich Von Stroheim in another intense performance) - a "terrible fathead" according to Woody. He persuades his mates to go to work as aerial stuntmen. Von Furst is a tyrannical director who rules his crew and his wife with an iron fist!!! Follette believes Von Furst (because of his insane jealousy) will tamper with Gibby's plane. He actually puts acid on the control wires - but Woody is the one flying it, to pay back a favour Gibby did him, when he was too drunk to fly.From an action packed aviation adventure it turns into a tight psychological thriller. The last 10 minutes takes place at night in a disused hanger. Richard Dix is heroic and manly, Robert Armstrong gives another great character performance and Joel McCrea was an up and coming new talent. For all her top billing Mary Astor didn't have much to do.Recommended.