Central Airport

Jim Blaine dares death every day as a barnstorming aviation pioneer. But when it comes to marrying the beautiful parachute jumper he's gone loop-de-loop for -- well, that's scary. As Jim, Richard Barthelmess dons goggles and leather cap for adventure in the wild blue yonder under the brawny direction of a real aviation pioneer: World War I pilot William A. Wellman, whose Wings (1927) sent box office receipts into the stratosphere and won the first Best Picture Academy Award . In Central Airport, Wellman displays his genius for creating action aloft with hold-your-breath aerial stunts and expert miniature work. Don't let the thrills distract you during the climax or you'll miss John Wayne as the heroic co-pilot of a downed plane.

• drama