The Rocketeer Minute Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Rocketeer Minute Podcast
Guest: Screenwriter Danny Bilson Danny Bilson is an American writer, director, and producer of movies, television, video games, and comic books. Together with his frequent collaborator, Paul DeMeo, he is best known as the writer for the film The Rocketeer (1991) and creator, writer, producer and director for the television series Viper (1994, 1996), The […]
Summary Credits continue: “ANY OLD TIME” Written by ARTIE SHAW Performed by ARTIE SHAW & HIS ORCHESTRA Vocal BILLIE HOLIDAY COURTESY OF BLUEBIRD / RCA / BMG RECORD LABELS “IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD” Written by DUKE ELLINGTON “WHEN YOUR LOVER HAS GONE” Written by E.A. SWAN Performed by MELORA HARDIN “NIGHT AND DAY” Written by […]
Summary Credits continue: Neville Sinclair TIMOTHY DALTON Eddie Valentine PAUL SORVINO Howard Hughes TERRY O’QUINN Fitch ED LAUTER Wooly JAMES HANDY Lothar TINY RON Spanish Johnny ROBERT GUY MIRANDA Rusty JOHN LAVACHIELLI Bigelow JON POLITO Malcolm EDDIE JONES Skeets WILLIAM SANDERSON Goose DON PUGSLEY Irma NADA DESPOTOVICH Millie MARGO MARTINDALE Patsy AMERICA MARTIN Wilmer MAX […]
Summary Credits continue: Negative Cutter BUENA VISTA NEGATIVE CUTTING Color Timer BOB KAISER Titles & Opticals PACIFIC TITLE Main Title Graphics by SAXON / ROSS FILM DESIGN, INC. DGA Trainee DAVID SPITZER Production Assistants HENRY H. HAMMOND, KRISTINA H. JONES, DIANA VILKAITIS, DAVID DALE SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS by INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC, a division of […]
Summary Credits continue: Special Effects Supervisor JON G. BELYEU Special Effects Foremen CHRIS BURTON, JIM D. SCHWALM, LARRY L. FUENTES Special Effects Technicians ALAN RIFKIN, RICHARD ZARRO, RON ZARRO, MIKE WEVER, BRUCE Y. KUROYAMA Wire Rigs AERIAL WIRE STUNTS, INC. — BOB HARMAN Aerial Coordinator CRAIG HOSKING Men’s Costume Supervisor DAN LESTER Women’s Costume Supervisor […]
Summary Peevy walks off to talk to Goose while Cliff and Jenny kiss. Bystanders admire the Gee Bee on a sunny Sunday morning in front of the Bull Dog Cafe. Patsy, with a saucepan on her head, chases a boy in a fedora around the front of the Gee Bee. “Rocketeer to the rescue!” she […]
Summary Hughes’s limo backs on to the Encino Road as Cliff watches him leave. Behind Secord, a crowd admires his new GeeBee Model R. Cliff waves to the limo as it drives away, then turns back to his friends gathered around the GeeBee. “Isn’t it pretty?” says Millie. Cliff stands next to Peevy and gestures […]
Summary Howard Hughes is standing next to a GeeBee Model R he’s just taxied to a stop in front of the Bulldog Cafe. A small crowd from the diner has gathered around the aircraft. Hughes is talking to Jenny and Cliff. “Would you excuse us for just a moment?” says Howard to Jenny. “Of course,” […]
Summary In their usual booth inside the diner, Peevy reads the morning paper to Jenny and Cliff. “Neville Sinclair was killed in the tragedy when flaming debris fell on his touring car, ” says Peevy. “That’s terrible. That was a nice car.” “You look awful blue,” says Jenny to Cliff, “for a guy who […]
Summary Lothar’s tether, now stretched to its limit, pulls him back to a standstill. Cliff and Jenny run past him. Lothar turns to face the oncoming hydrogen inferno. He holds his hands up in front of him and yells, just as he’s engulfed by the flames. Meanwhile, in the autogyro, Howard Hughes shouts at Peevy, […]
Summary The explosion of the X-3 has destroyed the last four letters of the famous “HOLLYWOODLAND” sign. D-LZ130’s bridge cabin is ablaze, as the ship sinks toward the Hollywood Hills. Cliff lifts Jenny to the top outer surface of the ship through Hatch #7. He shuts the hatch and looks at her. “Jenny,” says Cliff, […]
Summary On the bridge of the burning dirigible, Cliff struggles to put out the flames. The ship is sinking toward the Hollywood Hills. Neville Sinclair straps the Cirrus X-3 to his back and moves toward the opening on the side of the cabin. “For God’s sake, Sinclair,” says Cliff, “help us get these flames out!” […]
Summary Neville Sinclair and Cliff are fighting in the zeppelin cabin. Sinclair just knocked Cliff to the deck with one punch. “I do my own stunts,” says Sinclair. He lunges at the prone Cliff. Sinclair grabs Cliff by the scalp, and administers a body blow to Secord, followed by a right hook that knocks Cliff […]
Summary Neville Sinclair has a pistol pressed up against Jenny as he squares off with Cliff in the zeppelin cabin. “I’ve had a bellyful of you and your cheap heroics!” says Sinclair to Secord. “Hand over ze rocket, or I’ll blow her brains… all over ze cabin!” Cliff, his head dripping blood, looks at Sinclair. […]
Summary The zeppelin pilot has just been knocked out of a window by the unconscious Lothar, who is swinging outside, tethered by a safety cable. The unmanned helm controls are swinging randomly. Neville Sinclair stares out into the night, and sees the unconscious, upside-down Lothar swinging from the safety cable. “Lothar!” says Sinclair. The zeppelin […]
Summary The Nazi agent is arguing with Sinclair about how the mission isn’t going as planned. Meanwhile, The Rocketeer has reached the hatch on top of the zeppelin. A large “7” is painted on its surface. The Rocketeer pulls out his pistol as he prepares to open the hatch, only he’s surprised by the looming […]
Summary Eddie Valentine watches The Rocketeer head for the zeppelin. “Go get ’em, kid,” says Eddie. The Rocketeer impacts the guy wire connected to the rudder on the zeppelin. He breaks the guy wire and shuts off his engine, falling to the base of the tail. As he lands on the skin of the zeppelin, […]
Summary Neville Sinclair moves past the Gestapo agent in the control room of the zeppelin. Jenny glares at the agent. Meanwhile, on the hillside below the Griffith Park Observatory, Cliff spots a pistol in the holster of an unconscious storm trooper. Secord removes the pistol and climbs up the hill. Woolly crouches down next to […]
Summary Fitch and Wooly seek cover between parked police cars, while Eddit keeps shooting and retreating back to the FBI’s line. More troopers fall under the hail of bullets. Wooly sweeps his machine gun back and forth, shooting more Nazi troopers. Sinclair pauses, and picks up a German machine gun. “Careful!” yells Wooly, “He’s got […]
Summary With Jenny held hostage, Neville Sinclair, Lothar, Eddie Valentine and his gang face off with The Rocketeer. The thrum of large motors fills the air. Everyone turns to look at the sky above the Griffith Observatory. From behind the domes dotting the roof of the observatory, the nose of an airship appears. It’s the Luxembourg, the […]
Summary With Jenny held hostage, Neville Sinclair, Lothar, Eddie Valentine and his gang face off with The Rocketeer in the plaza of the Griffith Park Observatory. Eddie’s just discovered that Sinclair is a Nazi agent. “I’m paying you well,” says Sinclair, “Does it matter who I work for?” “It matters to me,” replies Eddie. “I may […]
Summary With Jenny held hostage, Neville Sinclair, Lothar, Eddie Valentine and his gang face off with The Rocketeer in the plaza of the Griffith Park Observatory. Cliff looks at Sinclair, and raises the ignition button on her gloved fist. His thumb hovers over the trigger. Sinclair glances at Secord’s thumb. “First,” says Secord, “you let her […]
Summary Neville Sinclair, Lothar, Jenny, Eddie Valentine and his gang watch The Rocketeer come in for a landing in the plaza of the Griffith Park Observatory. As Jenny has never seen more than a glimpse of The Rocketeer before, she realizes what Cliff was trying to tell her earlier about just what this rocket pack […]
Summary Howard Hughes’s model of what would become the Hercules “Spruce Goose” sails off into the night. Meanwhile, at the Griffith Park Observatory, three cement figures of Herschel, Newton, and Kepler stare out from the Astronomers’ Monument in the observatory plaza. A Rolls Royce Phantom II LHD Newport Town Car pulls up to the front […]
Summary At Hughes Aircraft, Clifford is explaining that Jenny’s been kidnapped and he needs to use the Cirrus X-3 one more time. “Those guys are playing for keeps!” says Wooly. “I can handle Valentine!” replies Cliff. “The Valentine gang is only hired muscle,” says Hughes. “They’re working for a Nazi agent — someone we think […]
Summary At Hughes Aircraft, Howard Hughes is screening a German animated film for Cliff and Peevy in his office. Cliff watches in shock as the US flag is replaced by a Nazi flag. The The symbolic American Bald Eagle goes up in flames, replaced by the swastika and the German eagle. The camera centers on […]
GUEST HOST: BRIAN FIES Brian Fies is a writer and cartoonist who created the award-winning graphic novels Mom’s Cancer and Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow, as well as the Eisner Award-nominated webcomic The Last Mechanical Monster. He’s been a newspaper reporter, environmental chemist, science writer, husband, and dad to twin girls. Just like […]
Summary At Hughes Aircraft, Peevy is explaining his reworked design of the X-3 to Howard Hughes. “Just basic aviation,” says Peevy. The office doors swing open. Wooly is berating a handcuffed Cliff Secord. “We’ve got so much on you,” says Wooly, “we’re going to make your life miserable, buddy!” “Good to see you, son,” says […]
Summary Eddie is giving instructions where Cliff should meet them with the rocket, if he ever wants to see Jenny again: 4 AM, Griffith Observatory. “By the statues,” finishes Valentine. “And come alone, or we’re going to have to kill the girl.” Eddie hangs up the phone. Clifford considers his options. Meanwhile, at Neville’s house, […]
Summary Cliff peers through the back door of darkened Bulldog Cafe. He opens the door and steps inside. “Millie?” he whispers. Closing the door, he walks to the ladder that goes to the Bulldog’s attic. “Peevy!” he whispers up the ladder. Cliff climbs the ladder and opens the hatch to the attic. “Hey Peev!” “Hey […]
Summary Jenny is inside the secret alcove of the secret room where she had previously spotted Neville Sinclair. She turns on the radio and attempts to call for help. “Hello?” she says into the microphone. “Can anyone hear me? This is an emergency! Can you hear me?” “Sinclair?” says a voice on the radio. “Sind […]
Summary Jenny is inside the secret room that she had previously spotted Neville Sinclair. She looks at the shelves of books, and tries to remember which one Neville had moved to open the secret panel. Next to “Where Are We Going” by David Lloyd George, Jenny spots a title: “The Conquests of Casanova” and pulls […]
Summary Neville glances at himself in his bedroom mirror. He smiles, then tries to pick something out of his front teeth with his fingernail. “Neville?” calls Jenny from the next room. “Could you come in here, please?” Neville instantly opens the double doors to the room. “Can you help me?” asks Jenny, motioning toward the […]
Summary Neville Sinclair opens a closet in his bedroom. There’s a large selection of women’s clothing on hangers. Jenny gets up from the bed and walks toward him. Neville holds out two negligeés on hangers. “They’re beautiful,” she says. Neville drops one of the negligeés on the floor, and stands behind Jenny in front of […]
Summary Neville Sinclair is sitting on the bed in his mansion with Jenny. “Neville, I’m scared-” says Jenny. Neville puts his arm around Jenny and presses her to his shoulder. “Oh, there, there, there — ” says Neville, “Don’t be frightened.” He kisses her, theatrically. Neville holds Jenny’s head in his hands. “You know,” says […]
Summary Jenny fakes being asleep, while being held captive by Neville Sinclair. Neville turns on a bedside light, and kneels next to Jenny on the bed. He waves a bottle of smelling salts under Jenny’s nose, and Jenny “awakens” with a gasp. “Welcome to my home,” says Neville. He puts the smelling salts on the […]
Summary Jenny finds herself in Neville’s bedroom back at his mansion. A fire burns in the bedroom fireplace. Jenny looks around, then slides to the side of the bed and begins to stand. There’s a bouquet of day lilies in Neville’s bedroom. Jenny continues to survey the room as she walks around quietly in the dark. […]
Summary The Rocketeer crashes upward through the South Seas Club’s stained-glass ceiling. Spanish Johnny and Mike fire their machine guns after him, but Cliff is already out of range. Jenny creeps out of her hiding place behind the Big Fish fountain, and heads for the stairway exit from the ballroom. Meanwhile, the Rocketeer streaks across […]
Summary The Rocketeer is trying to negotiate his way through the smoky interior of the South Seas Club, as patrons scatter. He tries to steady himself by straddling a large ice sculpture of a snail, but the sculpture slides off the end of the buffet table. The snail continues to slide along the carpeted floor, while […]
Summary Cliff escapes Valentine’s henchmen and Lothar via the laundry chute. His rocket engine still running, Cliff lands on a wheeled towel caddy. He speeds out of the ladies’ room into the ladies’ lounge, and then into the upper level of the main dining room. South Seas patrons are screaming as they dodge out of […]
Summary Neville Sinclair has spotted Secord at the South Seas Club. He grabs Spanish Johnny and Stevie from Valentine’s gang and points out Cliff to them. “Now, go get him!” he snarls, pushing them toward Cliff at the other side of the dance floor. Cliff is trying to escape Lothar across the crowded room. He […]
Summary “Night and Day” continues to play in the South Seas Club, as Neville reads the message from Cliff that was left in Jenny’s soup. Neville scans the crowd for Jenny, but doesn’t see her. Meanwhile, under the Big Fish fountain, Cliff is talking to Jenny. “Now, go on, scram, get out of here,” he […]
Summary “Night and Day” continues to play in the South Seas Club, as Cliff continues to explain to Jenny what’s going on, as they crouch underneath the Big Fish fountain. “They have your picture, the one from the Gee Bee” says Cliff. “Jenny, prepare yourself for a shock: I’m The Rocketeer.” “The Rocke-who?” asks Jenny. […]
Summary Neville Sinclair isn’t too sure about this waiter at the South Seas Club. But Jenny is sure – – it’s Cliff, spying on them. “So,” says Neville to Jenny, “Please go on.” Cliff nervously adjusts the flowers on the table. “Where is he now?” asks Sinclair. “He’s probably hatching – – some hare-brained scheme, […]
Summary Jenny is explaining to Neville Sinclair what Clifford is like, while Neville and Jenny dine at the South Seas Club. “He can be pretty thoughtless sometimes, ” says Jenny, “and then he can turn around, and be the sweetest guy in the world.” Jenny smiles at Neville. Neville smiles back. “He gave me these little […]
Summary The other patrons of the South Seas Club applaud Neville and Jenny’s dance as the band strikes up the next song. Cliff, still in his waiter’s outfit, watches the couple exit the dance floor. He heads toward their table. Neville and Jenny round the short stairway to the ringside table. The singer returns to […]
Summary Cliff unlocks the window he broke in a back room at the South Seas Club. He climbs inside and enters a service hallway. Noticing a sign to a room marked “LAUNDRY,” he ducks into the laundry room to avoid being noticed by a waiter. Inside the laundry room, he spots several sacks of soiled […]
Guest Host: Tom Gire Tom Gire is one of the principals of Brand X Music, a major music composition house for feature and film trailer soundtracks. He’s composed and arranged music from films as varied as Pirates of the Caribbean 2 to Transformers: Dark of the Moon. If you’ve seen a movie trailer for a […]
Summary Cliff lifts off from the roof of the Bulldog Cafe, knocking Peevy off his heels into the Bulldog’s attic. As Peevy recovers, a hand carrying a revolver cocks its hammer and points it at Peevy. Meanwhile, at the South Seas Club, a photographer snaps a picture of Jenny and Neville at their table. “Thank […]
Summary Cliff is putting on the Cirrus X-3 as Peevy climbs the ladder to the Bulldog Cafe’s attic. “Everyone in the city is looking for us!” says Cliff. “Now, I can fly to that nightclub in five minutes, and nobody can follow me!” “Take a cab,” says Peevy. “The only place this thing is going […]
Summary Spanish Johnny leaves Jeff and Mike in the Bull Dog Cafe to keep an eye on Cliff, Peevy, Goose, Skeets, and Millie. “Alright everybody,” says Jeff, “Relax and take it easy. We’re gonna be here a while. Hey Mom – how about a fresh pot of coffee?” He tells Millie. Jeff scans the walls […]
Summary Spanish Johnny, Jeff, Mike, and Rusty are holding Cliff, Peevy, Skeets, Goose, and Millie prisoner at the Bull Dog. Spanish Johnny just discovered Jenny’s phone number. He dials the number. At Mrs Pye’s boarding house, Irma answers the phone. “It’s mine!” she yells to two other girls, as she lifts the receiver. “Hello?” she […]
Summary Spanish Johnny, Jeff, Mike, and Rusty are talking to Cliff, Peevy, Skeets, and Goose at the Bull Dog. Millie is behind the counter. Spanish Johnny pulls out a gun and shoots the radio. Millie screams. “Listen, friend,” says Peevy, raising his hands, “we told you – – we don’t know where he is.” Spanish […]
Summary Spanish Johnny, Jeff, Mike, and Rusty are talking to Cliff, Peevy, Skeets, and Goose at the Bull Dog. Millie is behind the counter. “We need a flyer for a real special job,” says Rusty. “There’s a lot of lettuce in this.” Peevy looks at Rusty. Rusty reaches into his pocket and pulls out a […]
Summary Cliff climbs down the ladder from the Bull Dog’s attic, and looks at Millie and Malcolm. Goose and Skeets are seated at the counter. Malcolm leaves as Peevy climbs down the ladder. Cliff digs a nickel out of his pocket and walks toward the pay phone. As Malcolm walks back toward Chaplin Field, two […]
Summary Cliff and Peevy are seated next to the Cirrus X-3, listening to the radio, in the attic “head” of the Bulldog Cafe. The announcer is talking about the exploits of the mysterious Rocketeer. “And now back to our program of dance band favorites,” says the radio announcer. Peevy turns off the radio. Peevy rocks […]
Summary In Eddie Valentine’s office at the South Seas Club, Neville explains that the woman he’s having dinner with is Cliff Secord’s girlfriend. “Good,” says Eddie. “She’ll tell us where Secord is. My boys’ll get the truth out of her in two minutes.” Sinclair leans over Eddie’s desk, face to face with Eddie. “Valentine,” says […]
Summary Jenny and Neville are seated at a table in the South Seas Club, when they’re interrupted by a cigar-chomping man in a tuxedo, holding a martini and laughing loudly. “Hello, Bill!” says Neville, shaking the man’s hand briskly. “How are you?” “Ha!” replies the man. “Fallen off any chandeliers lately?” The man pats Neville […]
Summary The scene is the ballroom of the South Seas Club. The bandleader, clarinet in hand, is playing the opening notes of Cole Porter’s “Beguine the Beguine.” Patrons begin to fill the dance floor. The band is arrayed behind a multilayered pool at the edge of the dance floor. Behind the bandleader, a giant scallop […]
Summary Cliff is literally in the clutches of Lothar inside 1635 Palm Terrace. The lights of the FBI cars parked out front illuminate the living room. “Peabody!” shouts Fitch, “Open up! FBI!” Cliff and Lothar look at each other. Lothar tosses Cliff onto a coffee table, then pulls out two handguns. Lothar steps to […]
Summary Cliff just arrived at 1635 Palm Terrace. Peevy is inside the house with the rocket pack and schematics. Lothar just opened the side door. Peevy, ball peen hammer in hand, glances over at the rocket pack. Cliff, climbing the front steps, hears breaking glass. “What do you want?” yells Peevy at an unseen […]
Summary FBI agents Wooly and Fitch are in the darkened airfield office of Bigelow. The office has been completely overturned, with files and papers scattered everywhere. Wooly is trying to make out what’s under the desk. “Gimme some light, Fitch,” says Wooly. Fitch turns on the desk lamp. Bigelow’s body is folded in half, his shoed […]
Summary Cliff buys a newspaper to read the front page story about The Rocketeer. Two young women are behind him, reading a copy of the paper. “So romantic!” says one. “Oh, I’ll bet he’s handsome!” says the other. “I wish he’d rescue me!” says the first woman. They both laugh. Cliff smiles to himself. The […]
Summary Peevy puts his foot on the clutch and tries to start the truck. The starter doesn’t work. The news boys are approaching in their cars. Cliff is unbuckling his rocket pack, but pauses. “Peevy,” he says, “put it in neutral.” “What?” asks Peevy. “Put it in neutral!” shouts Cliff, as he climbs into […]
Summary Peevy jumps out of his pickup truck and heads down to the marsh, to the last place where he last saw Cliff headed. “Cliff!” he yells. He spots Cliff at the edge of the marsh, sitting in the water. “Peevy?” says Cliff, his voice muffled by the helmet. Peevy sloshes through the marsh toward […]
Summary Cliff is station-keeping with the Ford Tri-Motor, high in the skies over Chaplin Field. Passengers on the plane are pointing and staring at him. One passenger takes a picture with their Kodak Brownie camera. A stewardess stares open-mouthed at him. Cliff responds by saluting the stewardess, forgetting that by pressing his glove to […]
Summary Miss Mabel is plunging toward the aviation fuel truck on the ground. Cliff has his arms wrapped around Malcolm in the cockpit, desperately trying to pull him out of the plane. “Get up!” yells Cliff. Cliff squeezes the buttons on his gloves. The rocket pack ignites, lifting Cliff and Malcolm away from Miss Mabel. […]
Summary Malcolm is unconscious. flying in the Miss Mable. Cliff is sitting on the landing gear underneath the cockpit. He climbs up onto the right wing. Malcolm is groggy and raises his head. “Come on, Malcolm,” says Cliff, “wake up!” He grabs Malcolm and says, “Malcolm, it’s me, Cliff! Wake up! Wake up, Malcolm!” Malcolm doesn’t […]
Summary Peevy is explaining how the reworked throttle works like a gas pedal that Cliff can squeeze. If Cliff wants to stop, “mash down hard, and then let go.” “Okay,” says Cliff, grabbing the flying helmet. “Anything else?” “Yeah,” says Peevy, reaching into Cliff’s mouth and digging out the ever-present Beeman’s gum that Cliff’s chewing. […]
Summary Malcolm has both his hands tightly wrapped around the control stick of the Jenny. The airspeed is down to 77. The plane has leveled off but is still heading for the oncoming air racers. Back in the stands, Cliff looks at Peevy, while Peevy is still looking up at the sky toward Miss Mable. “Rocket’s in […]
Summary The air show is underway at Chaplin Field. Cliff rides up on his motorcycle, and notices someone else is flying Miss Mabel. Miss Mabel bounces down the runway and takes off into the morning sky. “… and here to dazzle you with his razor-sharp flying skills,” says the announcer, “is Cliff Secord, the ‘Fearless […]
Summary The air show is underway at Chaplin Field. Malcolm and Patsy are selling souvenir programs. “Malcolm!” says Patsy, “I sold seven!” She hands the change over to Malcolm. “Oh good!” says Malcolm, “Here you are, honey – – some more.” Malcolm hands a sheaf of souvenir programs to her and Patsy runs off. […]
Summary Neville just asked Jenny to stay on the picture after he had Director Victor fire her. “But it’s — it’s really my fault, Mister Sinclair,” says Jenny. “Have you read for the part of the Saxon Princess?” asks Neville. Jenny smiles and shakes her head, “No,” she says. “I think you might be rather […]
Summary Having overheard Cliff’s discussion with Jenny about the rocket engine, Neville tries to follow Cliff through the maze of backdrops on the sound stage. He spies Cliff and Assistant Director John walking in the distance. Several stage hands, moving a large suit of armor, block Neville’s way. Neville knocks over the armor, and then […]
Summary Jenny leads Cliff off the set. “I want you to be the first to know,” says Cliff. Meanwhile, Neville Sinclair sits down in his chair on the other side of the scenery flat from Cliff and Jenny. “I’m listening,” says Jenny. “Alright,” says Cliff. “Me and Peevy found something that’s gonna get us right […]
Summary Jenny, embarrassed, quietly raises her hand to the director as she crosses the sound stage floor over to where Cliff is standing. Victor, trying to cope with the idea they’re about to do Take 29, whispers, “Cut.” A bell rings. Jenny leads Cliff off the set. Meanwhile, several stagehands help Neville up from under […]
Summary As the cast of The Laughing Bandit gets underway with Take 28 of Scene 114, Cliff wanders behind the scene’s wall flats. The voices of the actors fill the soundstage, while the playback music continues. “What?” says the Sir Reginald’s opponent, “Kill me as I stand? I thought you were a sporting man!” Cliff […]
Summary Neville Sinclair, as Sir Reginald, lifts a silver chalice to toast a young, blonde maiden. “Oh my Prince!” says the maiden in an overly emotive voice, “Would that you drink of my lips as deeply!” Sinclair’s face freezes as he hears the awful line reading. The stirring music grinds to a halt. “CUT! […]
Summary Cliff picks up the golden helmet Peevy has made, and examines it. “He has got to be kidding,” says Cliff. The scene shifts to a medieval castle. A sword fight is in progress. Swashbuckling music plays. One of the two men fighting is masked, and is chasing another man up a flight of stairs. The […]
Summary Cliff is talking with Peevy about Jenny. Cliff is under the impression that Jenny is only interested in movie stars. “She doesn’t care about them phoney baloneys – she cares about you!” says Peevy. “But I want her to think I’m making something of myself, Peev,” says Cliff. “Not that I’m just an out-of-work pilot with […]
Summary Cliff and Malcolm are standing in front of the Bulldog Cafe, watching Jenny leave on a bus. Malcolm looks at Cliff. “Cliff, I — uh, I’m sorry. Uh, I really stuck my -” says Malcolm. “Oh Malcolm,” says Cliff, waving his hamburger, “it’s okay. It’s alright. It’s not your fault.” Cliff heads back into the […]
Summary Cliff and Jenny are at the Bulldog Cafe. Jenny just found out that Cliff’s plane crashed this morning. Cliff said he didn’t want to ruin her evening with the news. “Thank you!” says Jenny, sarcastically. “That’s very thoughtful of you! You’d rather make a fool out of me?” Cliff pauses and tries to think of […]
Summary Cliff and Jenny are at the Bulldog Cafe. Seated at the counter are Goose, Skeets, and Malcolm. Millie is serving food behind the counter. Cliff just pulled a toy airplane wheel out of Jenny’s soup. “Thanks, Cliff,” says Patsy. Jenny attempts to clean the soup stains off her dress by dabbing a napkin in […]
Summary Cliff and Jenny are at the Bulldog Cafe. Seated at the counter are Goose, Skeets, and Malcolm. Millie is serving food behind the counter. Cliff is explaining the plot of the movie “Wings of Honor” that he’s just seen with Jenny. He mentions that Neville Sinclair’s pilot character drops a bottle of champagne into the […]
Summary A heavily-bandaged Wilmer, in a bed, in traction, in County General’s Room 323, is explaining to Lothar what happened to the rocket pack. “I pulled a switch, see?” says Wilmer, as Lothar looms over him in the hospital bed. “I got the package stashed real good! It’s at the airfield – – Hangar Three — […]
Summary A heavily-bandaged Wilmer is sleeping in a hospital bed at County General. A large, shadowy figure has just entered through the open windows. The figure puts his ear to the closed hospital door to find out what’s going on in the hallway. Outside, in the hallway, a hospital guard and a nurse are supposed to […]
Summary Cliff and Jenny discussing their movie choices for date night, and Jenny has suggested Wings of Honor, starring Neville Sinclair. “Oh, brother,” says Cliff. “This, I’ve got to see!” He closes Jenny’s truck door. At the theater, a newsreel is already in progress as Jenny and Cliff make their way to their seats. “Herr Hitler,” says the […]
Summary Cliff and Jenny are on their way to a movie theater. Jenny is telling Cliff about how the director “said he liked my reading the best.” “Oh, you mean you have lines this time?” asks Cliff. “Just one,” replies Jenny, “but it’s to Neville Sinclair.” “Ohh-kay,” says Cliff, turning around and facing her. “Let’s hear […]
Summary Cliff is examining the demolished head of the Lindy statue. He says, “I think we’re gonna need a helmet!” Meanwhile, at Mrs. Pye’s Boarding House, meet Jenny Blake. Jenny is putting on stocking as she gets ready for her date. A record plays on a Victrola: “You’re a Sweet Little Headache,” sung by Helen […]
Summary In the bean field, Peevy and Cliff edge closer to the half-buried Lucky Lindy statue, with the rocket pack still running. Cliff reaches over and turns off the engine. The flames stop and the fans wind down. “Boy, that must have woke up the whole valley,” says Peevy. “Pick ‘er up! Come on, let’s get […]
Summary In a trench in the bean field, Peevy and Cliff are watching Lucky Lindy’s statue with the rocket pack attached as it orbits the metal stake hammered into the ground by Cliff. “– but I don’t believe it,” says Peevy, smiling. Cliff laughs. The circle of Lindy’s flight path is getting wider. Cliff suddenly […]
Summary In a darkened apartment, opera music plays from a tabletop radio. A telephone rings. A large, hairy hand turns down the volume of the radio. An unseen man answers the phone, while a steaming teacup and sandwich quarters with the crusts cut off sit next to the phone. “Yes?” says the unseen man. “Lothar,” […]
Summary Eddie Valentine remains seated, with the tip of Valentine’s sword pressing against his throat. “We have a deal,” says Neville. With the tip of his sword, he removes the boutonnière from Eddie’s lapel and tosses it to Spanish Johnny. “Now, you bring me that rocket, and I’ll double your price,” says Sinclair. Eddie stands, […]
Summary Neville Sinclair just told Eddie Valentine that the package Wilmer was supposed to deliver was a rocket. “Like in the comic books,” says Neville. “Now, what happened to it?” “I dunno,” says Valentine. “Wilmer knows. He’s in the hospital, surrounded by cops. Maybe in a couple of days we’ll get to talk to him.” […]
Summary Cliff and Peevy drive away in Peevy’s pickup truck with the statue of Lucky Lindy in the truck bed. Meanwhile, meet Eddie Valentine. He’s at the home of actor Neville Sinclair, in the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Ennis house, just south of Griffith Park in Hollywood. Eddy is accompanied by his two henchmen, Mike and […]
Summary Cliff and Peevy move closer to the device, which Cliff turned off moments ago after its wild flight through the hangar. Cliff touches the outer cowling of the device. “The housing’s still cool!” he says to Peevy. Peevy sniffs the air. “Runs on alcohol,” he says. “What’s the damn thing for?” Cliff picks the […]
Summary Cliff and Peevy have discovered a package hidden inside their biplane, the Miss Maple. Cliff sets the large canvas duffel bag down on a workbench in the hangar. “Open ‘er up,” says Peevy. Cliff unwraps the canvas, revealing a shiny, metallic device cover with what looks like heat sinks and air vents. “Oh my,” says […]
Summary Bigelow tells Cliff and Peevy that they owe him for the destroyed gas truck and 300 gallons of fuel. They can pay it back, for $5 per show, by doing their flying circus clown act. “Think it over, boys,” says Bigelow as he leaves the hangar. “See it my way, or see me in […]
GUEST HOST: BRIAN FIES Brian Fies is a writer and cartoonist who created the award-winning graphic novels Mom’s Cancer and Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow, as well as the Eisner Award-nominated webcomic The Last Mechanical Monster. He’s been a newspaper reporter, environmental chemist, science writer, husband, and dad to twin girls. Just like […]
GUEST HOST: BRIAN FIES Brian Fies is a writer and cartoonist who created the award-winning graphic novels Mom’s Cancer and Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow, as well as the Eisner Award-nominated webcomic The Last Mechanical Monster. He’s been a newspaper reporter, environmental chemist, science writer, husband, and dad to twin girls. Just like […]
Guest: Billy Campbell Best known for his television roles as Rick Sammler on Once and Again, as Det. Joey Indelli on Crime Story, as Jordan Collier on The 4400, and as Dr. Jon Fielding on the Tales of the City miniseries. He is also known for his recurring role as Luke Fuller in Dynasty which […]
Guest: Billy Campbell Best known for his television roles as Rick Sammler on Once and Again, as Det. Joey Indelli on Crime Story, as Jordan Collier on The 4400, and as Dr. Jon Fielding on the Tales of the City miniseries. He is also known for his recurring role as Luke Fuller in Dynasty which […]
Summary Wilmer closes the lid on the Hoover vacuum cleaner that he’s put in the “AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY” case. Meanwhile, Cliff continues to struggle with the crippled Gee Bee, as he makes his way back to the runway. Wilmer puts the case with the vacuum cleaner in the rumble seat, on top of Lenny’s body. […]
Summary Cliff punches a hole through his oil coated canopy. He suddenly sees what looks like an oncoming biplane, but it’s only the top of a billboard advertising Neville Chinclair in “Wings of Honor,” produced by Lawrence Franco and directed by Volmar Fidgge. Secord does his best to wipe the grime off his goggles as […]
Summary FBI Agents Wooly and Fitch are chasing a getaway car driven by Wilmer, while Lenny shoots at them with a machine gun from the getaway car’s rumble seat. An LAPD patrol car is between the FBI agents and the getaway car. “I wish that black-and-white would get out of the way!” shouts Fitch, as he […]
Summary In the far distance, the Gee Bee circles Chaplin Field. Title: “PRODUCED BY LAWRENCE GORDON, CHARLES GORDON AND LLOYD LEVIN” The camera tracks with the Gee Bee as it passes behind the air race pylon. Two monoplanes seen earlier are parked near the hangars, next to Peevy’s brown Model T truck. Peevy watches the […]
GUEST HOST: BRIAN FIES Brian Fies is a writer and cartoonist who created the award-winning graphic novels Mom’s Cancer and Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow, as well as the Eisner Award-nominated webcomic The Last Mechanical Monster. He’s been a newspaper reporter, environmental chemist, science writer, husband, and dad to twin girls. Just like […]
Guest Host: Tom Gire Tom Gire is one of the principals of Brand X Music, a major music composition house for feature and film trailer soundtracks. He’s composed and arranged music from films as varied as Pirates of the Caribbean 2 to Transformers: Dark of the Moon. If you’ve seen a movie trailer for a […]
Summary The Gee Bee Model Z continues to roll out of the hangar. Title: “JENNIFER CONNELLY” The port side of the Gee Bee is framed against the blue sky. Title: “PAUL SORVINO” An overhead view of the Gee Bee, displaying the number 4 on the left wing, and the aircraft’s identification, “NR77V” on the right […]
Summary A blank screen. James Horner’s Rocketeer main theme, “Takeoff” begins. Orange titles appear: “WALT DISNEY PICTURES” More orange titles: “WALT DISNEY PICTURES PRESENTS” Title: “IN ASSOCIATION WITH SILVER SCREEN PARTNERS IV” Title: “A GORDON COMPANY PRODUCTION” Title: “A JOE JOHNSTON FILM” Main Title, in font: “THE ROCKETEER” The screen splits, revealing opening hangar doors […]