Jet Pilot is a 1957 American Cold War romance film directed by the late Josef von Sternberg and starring the late John Wayne and the late Janet Leigh. It was written and produced by the late Jules Furthman, and presented by the late Howard Hughes. Filming lasted more than eighteen months, beginning in 1949. The last day of shooting was in May 1953, but the Technicolor film was kept out of release by Hughes due to his tinkering until October 1957. Although Jet Pilot was publicized as showcasing the U.S. Air Force's latest jets, by the time it was finally shown, most of the aircraft in the film were obsolescent or obsolete, supplanted by more modern aircraft. In one aerial scene, the two lead characters fly a Lockheed F-94 Starfire to test a radar approach to intercept a propeller driven Convair B-36 bomber. Jet Pilot was reportedly Howard Hughes's favorite film, one he watched repeatedly in his later years.
During the Cold War, a Russian jet enters air space over Alaska and is escorted to an American air base. The pilot, Anna Marladovna (Janet Leigh) demands asylum but refuses to provide information on Soviet activities. Colonel Jim Shannon (John Wayne) receives orders to befriend Anna in order to win her confidence and gather information. The pilots compete with each other but gradually fall in love. When it appears Anna may be deported, Jim marries her -- only to discover that she may be a spy.
Victims[]
- 100 Unnamed Male German Soldiers - Shot by an unknown woman off-screen, mentioned.
- Unnamed Male Russian Pilot - Shot down when Lieutenant Anna Marladovna Shannon/Captain Olga Orlief fired on his jet with turrets.
- Unnamed Male Russian Pilot - Shot down when Colonel Jim Shannon while fired on his jet with turrets.
- Five Unnamed Male Russian Soldiers - Shot to death by Lieutenant Anna Marladovna Shannon/Captain Olga Orlief with turrets.
Deaths[]
- Total - 107
- All Men
Kill Counts[]
- Lieutenant Anna Marladovna Shannon/Captain Olga Orlief - 6 (Alive)
- Colonel Jim Shannon - 1 (Alive)