The Dawn Patrol (1938)

Set in France during 1915, Major Brand commands the 39th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The young airmen face appalling casualty rates as they fly in bullet-riddled biplanes, while Major Brand struggles to convince his superiors at headquarters of the squadron's plight. Among his biggest challenges is the insubordinate but talented air ace, Captain Courtney. When Courtney is put in command of the squadron, he finds himself confronted with harsh realities and responsibilities he never expected. Cast: - Errol Flynn as Captain (later Major) "Court" Courtney - Basil Rathbone as Major Brand - David Niven as Lieutenant (later Captain) "Scotty" Scott - Donald Crisp as Phipps - Melville Cooper as Sergeant Watkins - Barry Fitzgerald as Bott - Carl Esmond as Hauptmann Von Mueller - Peter Willes as Hollister - Morton Lowry as Donnie Scott - Michael Brooke as Captain Squires - James Burke as Flaherty (motorcycle driver) - Stuart Hall as Bentham - Herbert Evans as Scott's mechanic - Sidney Bracey as Major Brand's orderly (credited as Sidney Bracy) - John Rodion as Lieutenant Russell - Leo Nomis as Aeronautic supervisor Runtime: 103 minutes.