Only Angels Have Wings

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Only Angels Have Wings

1939

2h 1m

Adventure

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Popcornmeter

100%

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32 Reviews

82%

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5,000+ Ratings

A two-fisted adventure tale set in South America, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS stars Cary Grant as the tough-talking head of an air freight service operating in the dangerous Andes Mountains. Jean Arthur co-stars as a vacationing showgirl competing with Rita Hayworth for Grant's affections. A potent combination of humor, romance and action, the film was directed by Howard Hawks, the legendary director responsible for Red River, His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby, and the original Scarface. A triumph of casting, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS is one of the best examples of Columbia chief Harry Cohn's skill in developing talent. Cary Grant had just been released from his contract with Fox when Cohn, sensingthat the handsome leading man was poised for stardom, turned him into Columbia's most durable star. Jean Arthur was an unexpected veteran of 50 films before Cohn "discovered" something in her that previous studios had overlooked. Teaming her with director Frank Capra, he created one of the finest comediennes in Hollywood history. And Rita Hayworth, Cohn's personal protegee, was a pure product of the studio system. Groomed for stardom from the first, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS offered her a chance to learn from the best in the business. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

09/28/2018

5/5

The flying effects, obviously, have dated, but everything else crackles with chemistry and class.

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Matthew Thrift

Little White Lies

05/15/2015

5/5

Pure cinematic catnip.

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

05/14/2015

5/5

This is the quintessential Hawks movie, combining spectacular aerial sequences with the fatalistic barroom machismo of the pilots off duty.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 7

3.5/4

A rock-solid adventure yarn.

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Daniel Barnes

Dare Daniel

Oct 28

5/5

A romantic fantasy of a roughneck South American port city created on a Hollywood soundstage, yet it's teeming with sensual atmosphere and a hyper-real sort of authenticity.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

12/07/2024

It’s witty, it’s lively, it’s an adventure fantasy constructed entirely in Hollywood studios.

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Jarrod R

@RT27243469 5d

Outstanding! Was hooked from the first moments and was all in for the twists and turns until the end. A fantastic ensemble cast and excellent writing throughout. I will now explore more of Howard Hawks' movies as well as the screenwriter, Jules Furthman.

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Michele F.

@MRFoucault Nov 13

No doubt about it, the ending is perfect!♥️

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Rare T

@RT00283363 12/20/2024

Howard Hawks, Jean Arthur, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, Thomas Mitchell… No need for a review of this movie; the names by themselves tell you what to expect, and they all deliver.

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Alec B

@Alec97 01/09/2024

Hawks emphasizing character over plot has the effect of enhancing the danger of the flying sequences. You're just never sure who is going to survive.

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Gaylan M

@RT48190346 08/14/2023

A high quality movie, especially for its day. Not your typical Cary Grant movie with the Atlantic accent and one liners. Jean Arthur shines as always. Rita Hayworth and other known starts fill out the cast. Well worth seeing.

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steve d

@RT35616104 01/09/2023

Grant is the only reason to watch but he is enough.

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Howard Hawks

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Geoff Carter

Jean Arthur

Bonnie Lee

Rita Hayworth

Judith 'Judy' MacPherson

Richard Barthelmess

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Synopsis

A two-fisted adventure tale set in South America, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS stars Cary Grant as the tough-talking head of an air freight service operating in the dangerous Andes Mountains. Jean Arthur co-stars as a vacationing showgirl competing with Rita Hayworth for Grant's affections. A potent combination of humor, romance and action, the film was directed by Howard Hawks, the legendary director responsible for Red River, His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby, and the original Scarface. A triumph of casting, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS is one of the best examples of Columbia chief Harry Cohn's skill in developing talent. Cary Grant had just been released from his contract with Fox when Cohn, sensingthat the handsome leading man was poised for stardom, turned him into Columbia's most durable star. Jean Arthur was an unexpected veteran of 50 films before Cohn "discovered" something in her that previous studios had overlooked. Teaming her with director Frank Capra, he created one of the finest comediennes in Hollywood history. And Rita Hayworth, Cohn's personal protegee, was a pure product of the studio system. Groomed for stardom from the first, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS offered her a chance to learn from the best in the business. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Director: Howard Hawks
Producer: Howard Hawks
Screenwriter: Howard Hawks, Jules Furthman, William Rankin, Eleanore Griffin
Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Home Video
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 12, 1939, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 5, 2013
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)