Parachute Jumper

I agree with the other reviewer, but there's more to this movie than Doug Fairbanks. John Francis Larkin's script shines with realistic characters and great one-liners. When Fairbanks approaches the destitute, sleeping Bette Davis on the couch in his flat in the middle of the night for sex, she wakes and screams angrily "I might have known this would happen" in defense of her chastity.

For an inexpensive movie, the stunts are great: the airwork is astounding, even though there's a cheating cut-away to work around the sheer impossibility of jumping between two extremely unstable biplanes. Then later there's an amazing shot of a parachuter on the train tracks that's a real stunner.

Sure the story's routine, but Frank McHugh's voice when he sings an old Irish ballad is authentic and comely. Leo Carillo (Hey Pancho! Hey Cisco!) plays the head gangster with style, and Davis is wonderful as always. This is definitely one of director Alfred Green's best efforts and well worth your time.

About two ex-Marine pilots, Bill and Toodles (Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Frank McHugh), who move into a small apartment together in New York City but can't seem to find work. Bill soon meets up with a blonde in the park by the name of "Alabama" (Bette Davis), and, believe it or not, she agrees to move in with him after one lunch out together where they bond as they steal a bottle of ketchup and sundries from the café, and then steal a fish from a cat. Bill and Toodles end up sleeping head to foot in the same bed, while Alabama settles in on the couch. Bill soon starts earning dough for the trio, first by making a $75 parachute jump (right above the railroad tracks!), then becoming chauffeur for a wealthy blonde who picks her chauffeur by his physique rather than driving ability, and then he ends up as bodyguard/lackey for a mobster who "imports" booze and dope from Canada.

This film is pretty so-so, it sorts of switches gear from one thing to the next and just doesn't really seem to know what direction it wants to go in - just when you think the story is going one way, that ends, and on to something else. Even the title "Parachute Jumper" seems a bit odd, considering the parachute jumping is not the main focus of this film. Bette Davis is very cute in this, with platinum blonde hair and sassy Southern accent, she's very fun to watch and saves the film from being a complete bomb. Doug Fairbanks Jr. is just sort of bland throughout.

Parachute Jumper (1933)

*** (out of 4)

Fun pre-code from Vitaphone about pilot/friends Bill (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.) and Toodles (Frank McHugh) who finds work hard to come by once they're back in the real world. They take in a woman (Bette Davis) also in a bad situation but all three eventually find work for a businessman who just happens to be bringing illegal alcohol into the States via planes. PARACHUTE JUMPER is everything you'd want from a "B" movie of this era. It features some laughs, some romance and some great action scenes. It contains a wonderful cast. It also has some amazing stunt work that can only be found in films of this era. Best of all are some pre-code moments including the highlight of the film when McHugh is trying to hitchhike by the guy doesn't stop so McHugh just stands there giving him the middle finger!!! This is certainly a film that classic movie fans are going to love for all of these reasons. It runs a very fast-paced 71-minutes and there's really no downtime to be found because everything is just happening so fast. Fairbanks, Jr. and McHugh are both in fine form delivering the type of performances that you'd expect. Davis also gets to play a sweet Southern lady but also brings out some fire at times. The supporting players include a nice, sexy role for Claire Dodd and Leo Carrillo plays the gangster. Some of the best moments happen early on during some very dangerous stunt work where a man has to climb on the wing of one plane and then walk onto the wings of another. Even today these scenes make you hold your breathe. PARACHUTE JUMPER has pretty much been forgotten over the years but fans of the "Golden Age" pre-code should enjoy it.

Hardly a classic but great fun - infectious fun. Doug Fairbanks and Frank McHugh seem to enjoy themselves so much, you can't help but smile along with them. From reading this picture's scenario, you'd never guess but it's a lovely upbeat picture essentially just about a couple of guys making the best out of life despite of The Depression. These two aren't going to let anything as trivial as mass unemployment and poverty get them down!

Can I be a bit more specific than describing it just as 'fun' - what type of film is this? Other than saying a romance - action adventure - gangster - aviation - comedy - social drama - love triangle and anything else you can think of..... the easiest description is a '1930s Warner Brothers picture.' Although they seem to be making the script up as they go along, it's actually well written, witty and quite cohesive inasmuch that whatever story it feels like being at the time, it's always about the unflappable optimism of these two likeable guys.

This cinematic equivalent of 'a greatest hits compilation album' is both completely forgettable yet also instantly familiar. It's like meeting an old friend, having a great time with them but not actually being too sure who it actually is.

Parachute Jumper is a prime example of the energetic, quick-witted fare Warner Brothers was known for in the early 30's. This film showcases all three players: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., a blonde, southern-accented Bette Davis, and Frank McHugh, but it really spotlights Fairbanks's suave and humorous side. Struggling through the depression in New York City is softened by the three characters' warm and jovial relationship with each other. They handle almost any situation with their one-liners and loyalty. Plenty of double entendres are targeted at love and authority. Fairbanks, Jr. especially handles his role with breezy panache. He deserved more material like this. I'll be watching this lighthearted film with intelligent dialogue and human characters again.