wes-connors Following service in the Great War (aka World War I), US military men are assured their lives will be as good, if not better, than before they enlisted. But for three fighter pilots, this proves not to be the case. Handsome young Joel McCrea (as "Red") must give up his job as his company downsizes. Debonair drinker Robert Armstrong (as Woody) learns has business partner has squandered their fortune. And, brave leader Richard Dix (as "Gibby") loses his attractive girlfriend Mary Astor (as Follette Marsh) to a wealthy filmmaker who can advance her career. To make ends meet, the men go to Hollywood and become stunt pilots in aviation movies..."The Lost Squadron" is entertaining, due to some strange plotting...The "romance" part involves Mr. Dix and Mr. McCrea in competition for Mr. Armstrong's pretty young sister Dorothy Jordan, who is called the "Pest" (for some unfathomable reason). Dix also still likes Ms. Astor, who has married loudmouthed director Erich von Stroheim (as Arthur Von Furst) solely to advance her career. The scenes with Von Stroheim barking direction while filming battle scenes are a perverse highlight. After about 55 minutes, watch for Armstrong to wave a "middle finger" salute from his cockpit. It all leads to jealousy and attempts to murder. Why one crime is concealed from police is not particularly clear, although Dix asks nicely enough.***** The Lost Squadron (1932-03-10) George Archainbaud ~ Richard Dix, Robert Armstrong, Erich von Stroheim, Joel McCrea

David_Brown 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.

st-shot With time running out to satisfy their taste for adventure and blood lust WW 1 pilots Gibson, Woody and Red take to the air and fight to the last minute before Armistice. The war over and out of a Woody (Bob Armstrong) followed by Gibson ( Richard Dix) and Red (Joel McCrea) gravitate to Hollywood to do what they do best, fly stunt planes. The work is dangerous but they are use to it. The danger increases tenfold when Von Furst (Erich Von Stroheim), a tyrannical director with a thirst for realism as well as a wife who once had the hots for Gibson attempts to pull off two for the price of one; get the shot and lose the wife's former lover. Woody in the, throes of alcoholism takes the fall however. With the war over and no more dogfights to involve itself in Squadron is no Wings but it does offer up some fine aerial acrobatics to go along with its swift and a touch incredulous pace. The trio of pilots do their macho posturing (including a bird throwing sequence) adequately enough while Beth Jordan and Mary Astor wait with anxious trepidation on the ground. But it is the opportunity to watch Von Stroheim go into directorial rant that in retrospect gives the Lost Squadron its bite.

rsyung I found this pre-code movie a tad predictable but still enjoyable on several levels. I thought the behind-the-scenes look at the making of a World War I movie in 1930's Hollywood were quite fascinating. Erich Von Stroheim's autocratic director was both menacing and acerbically funny at the same time, although bordering on the campy. Richard Dix as 'Gibby' was only adequate as the central character, but Joel McCrea's naturalism shone through as 'Red'. I found it interesting too, that one of the central themes of this movie was the inadequacy the flyers suffered in civilian life, becoming tramps before riding the rails to Hollywood. They were trained to fly in war, and they end up flying in war movies...the difficulty of adjusting to peacetime was an issue not touched upon much in Hollywood until "The Best Years of Our Lives", almost 15 years later. Finally, to the delight of those of us who love pre-code movies, we are treated to Robert Armstrong giving Dix the bird as Dix tries to coax Armstrong into landing his sabotaged plane!