
Thunder Birds
For two pilots, one woman became a conflict of interest.
On a secluded base in Arizona, veteran World War I pilot Steve Britt trains flyers to fight in World War II. One of his trainees, Englishman Peter Stackhouse, competes with Britt for the affections of Kay Saunders, the daughter of a local rancher. Despite their differences, Britt makes sure Sutton passes his training and becomes a combat pilot -- even though he loses Kay to the young man in the process.
Director William A. Wellman
Cast

Charles Tannen
American Flyer / Opening Off-Screen Narrator (voice)

Joyce Compton
Saleswoman

Harry Strang
Forest Ranger

Walter Tetley
Messenger Boy, Red Cross Nurse Trainee (uncredited)

Peter Lawford
English Cadet (uncredited)

May Whitty
Lady Jane Stackhouse

Janis Carter
Blonde Red Cross Nurse Trainee

Nana Bryant
Mrs. Blake

Preston Foster
Steve Britt

Jack Holt
Colonel MacDonald

George Barbier
Col. Cyrus P. 'Gramps' Saunders

Selmer Jackson
Bit role

John Sutton
Peter Stackhouse

Gene Tierney
Kay Saunders

Richard Haydn
George Lockwood

Reginald Denny
Barrett

Ted North
Cadet Hackzell

C. Montague Shaw
Doctor

Bess Flowers
Nurse