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The Flying Irishman

The Flying Irishman

  • Overview
  • Cast
  • Crew
  • Recommendations

Status

Released

Release Date

Apr 7, 1939

Runtime

1h 11m

Genres

Drama

User Score

46%

Original Title

The Flying Irishman

Production Companies

RKO Radio Pictures

Director

Leigh Jason

Description

This is the story of the historic 1938 flight of Douglas 'Wrong Way' Corrigan. Mr. Corrigan starred in this film, which chronicled his infamous flight. On July 17, 1938, Mr. Corrigan loaded 320 gallons of gasoline (40 hours worth) into the tiny, single engine plane. While expressing his intent to fly west to Long Beach, CA, Mr. Corrigan flew out of Floyd Bennett Field heading east over the Atlantic. Instrumentation in the plane included two compasses (both malfunctioned) and a turn-and-bank indicator. The cabin door was held shut with baling wire. Nearly 29 hours later, he landed in Baldonnel near Dublin. He forever claimed to be surprised at arriving in Ireland rather than California. He returned to the US as a hero, with a ticker tape parade in New York and received numerous medals and awards.