Question 1

What rare sound system was used for this film?

Accepted Answer

It was one of only three films released in 'WarnerPhonic' sound, an early four-channel surround sound system. Only the mono version of the soundtrack survives.

Question 2

How does the film's plot connect to Ernest Gann's book?

Accepted Answer

The general plot is based on a true story that Ernest Gann related in his 1961 autobiographical book 'Fate is the Hunter', about searching for a lost fellow pilot in northern Canada during WWII.

Question 3

Which actor appears as a copilot in two John Wayne rescue films?

Accepted Answer

Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer appears as the copilot in a rescue plane searching for a character played by John Wayne in this film and in 'The High and the Mighty' (1954), but shares no scenes with Wayne.

Question 4

What danger does the navigator's heavy breathing illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Running and breathing hard in extreme cold can freeze lung capillaries, causing destruction and scar tissue; continued vigorous exercise may fill lungs with blood and cause death by suffocation.

Question 5

What was the 'Gibson Girl' radio shown in the film?

Accepted Answer

It was a BC-778/SCR-578/AN-CRT3 emergency transmitter (receive-only) called 'Gibson Girl' for its shape; it was cranked at 80 RPM to generate power and could send SOS or Morse code.

Island in the Sky

Customers also watched

Loved this film?

Share with others