Drama
United States of America
Parachute Jumper is a pre-Code Hollywood movie that was released in 1933. The film stars Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Frank McHugh, and Bette Davis in one of her early supporting roles. The movie was directed by Alfred E. Green and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film begins with a young pilot named Bill Keller (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) who gets expelled from the Air Force due to his recklessness. He lands in New York City and ends up living with his friend Toodles (Frank McHugh), a fellow down-on-his-luck pilot. Both of them are struggling to find employment during the midst of the Great Depression.
After several failed attempts at finding work, Bill and Toodles land a dubious gig with the mob. They become parachute jumpers for a group of gangsters who are running illegal liquor across the U.S.-Canadian border. The duo's job is to parachute onto unsuspecting boats carrying the illegal alcohol and confiscate the cargo.
Things take an unexpected turn when Bill falls for Patricia (Bette Davis), the beautiful niece of one of the gangsters. As he becomes increasingly involved with Patricia, Bill starts to question his involvement with the mob. When one particular jump ends disastrously, Bill's conscience catches up with him and he decides to leave the criminal life behind.
Parachute Jumper is a gritty and fast-paced movie that offers a glimpse into the seedy underbelly of Depression-era New York City. The film features impressive aerial stunts and a standout performance from Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as the conflicted protagonist. Overall, Parachute Jumper is a suspenseful and entertaining movie that is still worth watching today.
