Sky Liner is a 1949 American film noir action crime film directed by William Berke. It was released on the bottom half of double bills.[1][2]

Sky Liner
Directed byWilliam Berke
(as Wm. Berke)
Screenplay byMaurice Tombragel
Produced byWilliam Stephens
(as Wm. Stephens)
StarringRichard Travis
Pamela Blake
Rochelle Hudson
CinematographyCarl Berger
Edited byEdward Mann
Music byRaoul Kraushaar
Production
company
Distributed byScreen Guild Productions
Release date
  • July 28, 1949 (1949-07-28)
Running time
61 minutes
49 minutes (DVD)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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The film follows a selection of passengers on a long distance overnight flight on a silver Lockheed Constellation with Trans World Airlines, through a series of vignettes looking at the passengers and crew. Characters range from a precocious child star (intended to echo Shirley Temple) to businessmen and criminals.

An FBI man (Richard Travis) and a stewardess (Pamela Blake) solve a spy murder on the crowded airliner after a dead man is found in the toilet. All passengers are suspects. They discover the victim has been stabbed by a fountain pen containing Curare poison.

Cast

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  • Richard Travis as Steve Blair
  • Pamela Blake as Carol
  • Rochelle Hudson as Amy Winthrop
  • Steven Geray as Bokejian
  • Gaylord Pendleton as Smith
  • Ralph Peters as Joe Kirk
  • Michael Whalen as Ben Howard
  • Greg McClure as J. S. Conningsby
  • Lisa Ferraday as Mariette La Fare
  • Roy Butler as Mr. Jennings
  • Jean Clark as Mrs. Jennings
  • David Holt as Buford
  • Dodie Holt as Grace Ward
  • William F. Leicester as Captain Fairchild – Pilot (as Wm. Leicester)
  • Ezelle Poule as Elvin's Sister
  • Herbert Evans as Sir Harry Finneston
  • Alice Ritchie as Elvia's
  • Jeanne Sorel as Brunet Stewardess (as Jean Sorel)
  • Anne Lu Jones as Airline Ticket Agent
  • Jack Mulhall as Col. Hanson
  • Allan Hersholt as Courier (as Alan Hersholt)
  • John McGuire as George Eakins
  • George Meeker as Financier
  • Anna Mae Slaughter as Mary Ann

Production

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Filming started 25 April 1949 at Hal Roach's studios. It was described as "a kind of Grand Hotel of an airliner."[3]

It was made by the same writing-directing-producing team that had done Highway 13.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Comedy stays at four houses". Los Angeles Times. Aug 17, 1949. ProQuest 166000745.
  2. ^ "Skyliner". Monthly Film Bulletin. 17 (193): 121. 1950. ProQuest 1305823590.
  3. ^ Schallert, E. (Apr 18, 1949). "Virginia van upp seeking magnani deal; grant film redelayed". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 165930625.
  4. ^ Schallert, E. (Sep 13, 1948). "'Numbers racket' title finally tossed away; 'jet pilot' to glitter". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 165864628.
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