Top of the World is a 1955 American aviation adventure film, directed by Lewis R. Foster, and written by John D. Klorer and N. Richard Nash."Full credits: 'Top of the World'." Turner Classic Movies, January 10, 2025. The film starred Dale Robertson, Evelyn Keyes,"Evelyn Keyes." Boca Raton, Florida:NNDB (Soylent Communications, May 8, 2017. Frank Lovejoy,"Top of the World." AFI Catalog of Feature Films (American Film Institute), May 8, 2017. Nancy Gates,"Nancy Gates." Boca Raton, Florida: NNDB (Soylent Communications), May 8, 2017."Nancy Gates." Hollywood.com (LLC), May 8, 2017. Paul Fix, Robert Arthur,"Robert Arthur." Boca Raton, Florida:NNDB (Soylent Communications), May 8, 2017."Robert Arthur." Hollywood.com (LLC), May 8, 2017."Robert Arthur." BFI National Archive (British Film Institute), May 8, 2017. and Peter Hansen. Composer Albert Glasser composed the music to the film.

Top of the World was released in May 1955, by United Artists."Top Of The World." New York City: TV Guide (CBS Interactive (CBS Corporation). Retrieved: October 22, 2014. The United States Air Force endeavoured to support the production of Top of the World as a means to inform the public of the work of the USAF in the far north. USAF photographers would work directly with studio cinematographers. Major Stockton Shaw was assigned to the production as a technical advisor.Orriss 2018, p. 74.

Plot Unable to fly jet missions at his age, Major (soon promoted to Lieutenant Colonel) Lee Gannon (Dale Robertson) is reassigned from a Californian air base to a weather station in Alaska, against his wishes. He perks up on learning that ex-wife Virgie (Evelyn Keyes) now owns a nightclub in Fairbanks.

Gannon reports for duty to Major Brad Cantrell (Frank Lovejoy), who explains to a skeptical Gannon how vital the weather situation is, apparently in a remote region near the North Pole that could be vulnerable to a Soviet air attack. Lieutenant Mary Ross (Nancy Gates), who handles public relations, is in love with Cantrell, but he has become attracted to Virgie and plans to marry her.

Virgie reveals a dark secret about her marriage with Gannon, then accuses Cantrell of sending her former husband on a dangerous mission just to get him out of the way. Stationed on a large block of drift ice far north of Alaska, Gannon and his men are at great risk as the floe melts and rescue aircraft are unable to land. Cantrell pilots a glider to rescue the men, with Gannon volunteering to be left behind, then stages a daring return trip. Gannon realizes he still loves Virgie, and a relieved Mary realizes she has not lost Cantrell.

Cast

Dale Robertson as Maj. Lee Gannon Evelyn Keyes as Virgie Rayne Frank Lovejoy as Maj. Brad Cantrell Nancy Gates as Lt. Mary Ross Paul Fix as Maj. George French Robert Arthur as Lt. Skippy McGuire Peter Hansen as Capt. Cochrane Nick Dennis as Master Sgt. Cappi Russ Conway as Col. Nelson William Schallert as Capt. Harding Peter Bourne as Lt. "Johnny" Johnson David McMahon as Brownie Marya Marco as Koora

Production Top of the World began as a Warner Bros. vehicle with filming taking place in 1953 when the then director Felix Feist, "air boss" Paul Mantz and cinematographer William H. Clothier were dispatched to Ladd Army Airfield and Baker Island Airfield in Alaska. The group were able to spend a month with USAF units filming their operations.Orris 2018, p. 75.

While in Alaska, the Warner Bros. crew were on hand to film a dramatic rescue mission from the B-25 camera ship brought by Paul Mantz. The scene was later incorporated in the final film. Shortly after, in 1954, the film rights were acquired by Lippert Pictures and United Artists.

Clothier was in charge of the aerial sequences.Pendo 1985, p. 256. He said he used an Arriflex 35 camera to shoot scenes in the film. Paul Mantz used his B-25 bomber as a camera platform for the production, as well as flying as a contract pilot in aerial scenes.

Reception Top of the World opened in Los Angeles on April 25, 1955, to generally positive critical reviews.Orris 2018, p. 76. Variety noted that, "Details here are handled in such a fashion as to be interesting without becoming tedious as they blend into and service the personal dramatics."Orris 2018, p. 77.

Aviation film historian Stephen Pendo in Aviation in the Cinema, considered Top of the World to have "... some exciting moments during survival and rescue scenes."

References Notes

Citations

Bibliography

Beck, Simon D. The Aircraft-Spotter's Film and Television Companion. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2016. McCarty. Clifford. Film Composers in America: A Filmography, 1911-1970. London: Oxford University Press, 2000. Orriss, Bruce. When Hollywood Ruled the Skies: The Post World War II Years. Hawthorne, California: Aero Associates Inc., 2018. . Pendo, Stephen. Aviation in the Cinema. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985. . Pope, Norris. Chronicle of a Camera: The Arriflex 35 in North America, 1945-1972. Jackson, Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi, 2013. Reid, John Howard. History in Movies Hollywood Style. Raleigh, North Carolina: Lulu Books, 2013.

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