"The Great Waldo Pepper"

Tom_Cervo · 25 September 2023, 11:02 AM

Now on Netflix. Excellent widescreen print. One of the last times Redford allowed himself to play a heel.
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/t...t-waldo-pepper

randyz · 25 September 2023, 12:12 PM

I've got that movie on DVD. All those wing walking scenes give me the chills. For the trivia buffs, there are two scenes that take place on a small airfield where a film is being shot. One scene is inside a hanger and the other is outside. In both scenes, there are a pair of 7/8-scale Slingsby SE-5a replicas that were originally built for the film 'Darling Lili' in 1967. They later appeared in many films like 'Richthofen and Brown', 'You Can't Win 'Em All', and 'Zeppelin'. Of the six Slingsbys that were built, these two were shipped from Ireland to USA in 1970 and were confiscated and auctioned off by the IRS. They were purchased by Tallmantz Aviation and later appeared in this film and an episode of 'Fantasy Island'. I believe they were purchased by Planet Hollywood after the death of Frank Tallman and the sell-off of Tallmantz Aviation.

Germanophile-1 · 30 September 2023, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyz

I've got that movie on DVD. All those wing walking scenes give me the chills. For the trivia buffs, there are two scenes that take place on a small airfield where a film is being shot. One scene is inside a hanger and the other is outside. In both scenes, there are a pair of 7/8-scale Slingsby SE-5a replicas that were originally built for the film 'Darling Lili' in 1967. They later appeared in many films like 'Richthofen and Brown', 'You Can't Win 'Em All', and 'Zeppelin'. Of the six Slingsbys that were built, these two were shipped from Ireland to USA in 1970 and were confiscated and auctioned off by the IRS. They were purchased by Tallmantz Aviation and later appeared in this film and an episode of 'Fantasy Island'. I believe they were purchased by Planet Hollywood after the death of Frank Tallman and the sell-off of Tallmantz Aviation.

Yeah, the wing-walking scenes were scary -- but I noticed the walkers' jackets seemed pretty "full." No doubt (or at least I hope) to hide a parachute pack.

Also, very good casting of Swedish actor Bo Brundin as German ace Ernst Kessler. Brundin looked so much like Ernst Udet. Sadly, Brundin passed away last year at age 85.

Peter

Gregvan · 30 September 2023, 01:29 PM

Hi,
Yes, I was thinking about commenting on the great casting of Bo Brundin as "Ernst Kessler" (aka Ernst Udet!) as well. He was a dead ringer for Udet in the 1930's, and also captured (for me, anyway) some of Udet's world-weary cynicism and attitude. At the time the film was made, the general belief was that Udet's girlfriend/future wife's full name was "Lola" and this was the origin of Udet's Lo!" marking; we now know her full name was Eleonore, and "Lo" was Udet's pet nickname for her. Thus, the name "Lola" applied to Kessler's gaudy Triplane.

The script by George Roy Hill and Ron Goldman shows that they did their homework. They describe a wonderful fight against odds, by Kessler against a group of Americans, with Kessler winning and saluting his opponent (as told in Pepper's fabricated version of being part of it). This was, of course, inspired by Werner Voss' final fight, combined with the famous story of Udet's fight with Guynemer as told in his book "Mein Fliegerleben." We now think that story was also a fabrication, by Udet - but hey, it's a GREAT movie. One of the last of its kind to be made with REAL airplanes, real pilots and real crashes by the great stunt pilot Frank Tallman. The famous WWI replica aircraft builder James Appleby was one of the pilots who flew for the movie and he has a bit part as "Ace", one of the pilots in Dillhoefer's Flying Circus (he's the one who says, "I knew she wasn't worth top billing.").

redbaron1917 · 30 September 2023, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregvan

Hi,
Yes, I was thinking about commenting on the great casting of Bo Brundin as "Ernst Kessler" (aka Ernst Udet!) as well. He was a dead ringer for Udet in the 1930's, and also captured (for me, anyway) some of Udet's world-weary cynicism and attitude. At the time the film was made, the general belief was that Udet's girlfriend/future wife's full name was "Lola" and this was the origin of Udet's Lo!" marking; we now know her full name was Eleonore, and "Lo" was Udet's pet nickname for her. Thus, the name "Lola" applied to Kessler's gaudy Triplane.

The script by George Roy Hill and Ron Goldman shows that they did their homework. They describe a wonderful fight against odds, by Kessler against a group of Americans, with Kessler winning and saluting his opponent (as told in Pepper's fabricated version of being part of it). This was, of course, inspired by Werner Voss' final fight, combined with the famous story of Udet's fight with Guynemer as told in his book "Mein Fliegerleben." We now think that story was also a fabrication, by Udet - but hey, it's a GREAT movie. One of the last of its kind to be made with REAL airplanes, real pilots and real crashes by the great stunt pilot Frank Tallman. The famous WWI replica aircraft builder James Appleby was one of the pilots who flew for the movie and he has a bit part as "Ace", one of the pilots in Dillhoefer's Flying Circus (he's the one who says, "I knew she wasn't worth top billing.").

Now I am going to have to get my DVD out to see Jim Appleby. I believe he had a bit part in Jimmy Stewert's Lindberg. Spelling?

Tony

randyz · 30 September 2023, 08:22 PM

I believe Frank Tallman destroyed a Nieuport 28 during the filming of this movie. I can't recall whether it was an original or a replica.

Gregvan · 1 October 2023, 01:49 AM

RandyZ, it was a replica. And, if I'm not mistaken, it was one of two Nieuport 28's that Frank crashed. None appear anywhere in the film.

Gregvan · 1 October 2023, 01:54 AM

Redbaron1917:

Jim Appleby has his own ImbB page:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0032363/?ref_=tt_cl_t_12

He appeared in several movies or acted as technical/stunt advisor.

It doesn't say anything about him in Jimmy Stewart's "The Spirit of St. Louis", but he also worked in "Catch-22" as a B-25 pilot,, etc.

nogalesace · 2 October 2023, 01:52 PM

I've got, as I'm sure many do, the great Tallman book, Flying The Old Planes. One of my favorites and a classic.

Barrett · 3 October 2023, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregvan

Redbaron1917:

Jim Appleby has his own ImbB page:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0032363/?ref_=tt_cl_t_12

He appeared in several movies or acted as technical/stunt advisor.

It doesn't say anything about him in Jimmy Stewart's "The Spirit of St. Louis", but he also worked in "Catch-22" as a B-25 pilot,, etc.

Greg: THANK YOU. I knew Jim and Zona via Doug Champlin, enjoyed their company all too seldom over the years. Never thought to check Jim for an imdb entry but will share with others.