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Only Angels Have Wings

Play trailer Poster for Only Angels Have Wings 1939 2h 1m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A two-fisted adventure tale set in South America, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS stars Cary Grant as the tough-talking head of an air freight service operating in the dangerous Andes Mountains. Jean Arthur co-stars as a vacationing showgirl competing with Rita Hayworth for Grant's affections. A potent combination of humor, romance and action, the film was directed by Howard Hawks, the legendary director responsible for Red River, His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby, and the original Scarface. A triumph of casting, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS is one of the best examples of Columbia chief Harry Cohn's skill in developing talent. Cary Grant had just been released from his contract with Fox when Cohn, sensingthat the handsome leading man was poised for stardom, turned him into Columbia's most durable star. Jean Arthur was an unexpected veteran of 50 films before Cohn "discovered" something in her that previous studios had overlooked. Teaming her with director Frank Capra, he created one of the finest comediennes in Hollywood history. And Rita Hayworth, Cohn's personal protegee, was a pure product of the studio system. Groomed for stardom from the first, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS offered her a chance to learn from the best in the business. And the rest, as they say, is history.
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Only Angels Have Wings

Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Sep 28, 2018
5/5
The flying effects, obviously, have dated, but everything else crackles with chemistry and class. Go to Full Review Matthew Thrift Little White Lies May 15, 2015
5/5
Pure cinematic catnip. Go to Full Review Geoffrey Macnab Independent (UK) May 14, 2015
5/5
This is the quintessential Hawks movie, combining spectacular aerial sequences with the fatalistic barroom machismo of the pilots off duty. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Dec 7, 2025
3.5/4
A rock-solid adventure yarn. Go to Full Review Daniel Barnes Dare Daniel Oct 28, 2025
5/5
A romantic fantasy of a roughneck South American port city created on a Hollywood soundstage, yet it's teeming with sensual atmosphere and a hyper-real sort of authenticity. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Dec 7, 2024
It’s witty, it’s lively, it’s an adventure fantasy constructed entirely in Hollywood studios. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Jun 21, 2026 One of the best movies of All-time. This cast was amazing. Top notch performances,great cinematography and special effects make this a must watch. There's a reason why I have so much appreciation for the golden age of Hollywood and this right here is one of them. Only 2 Oscar nominations is a joke but. Tim Treakle See more Jarrod R @RT27243469 May 20, 2026 Outstanding!  Was hooked from the first moments and was all in for the twists and turns until the end.  A fantastic ensemble cast and excellent writing throughout. I will now explore more of Howard Hawks' movies as well as the screenwriter, Jules Furthman. See more Michele F. @MRFoucault Nov 13, 2025 No doubt about it, the ending is perfect!♥️ See more Rare T @RT00283363 Dec 20, 2024 Howard Hawks, Jean Arthur, Cary Grant, Rita Hayworth, Thomas Mitchell… No need for a review of this movie; the names by themselves tell you what to expect, and they all deliver. See more Alec B @Alec97 Jan 9, 2024 Hawks emphasizing character over plot has the effect of enhancing the danger of the flying sequences. You're just never sure who is going to survive. See more Gaylan M @RT48190346 Aug 14, 2023 A high quality movie, especially for its day. Not your typical Cary Grant movie with the Atlantic accent and one liners. Jean Arthur shines as always. Rita Hayworth and other known starts fill out the cast. Well worth seeing. See more Read all reviews
Only Angels Have Wings

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Cast & Crew

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Howard Hawks

Director

Cary Grant

Geoff Carter

Jean Arthur

Bonnie Lee

Rita Hayworth

Judith 'Judy' MacPherson

Richard Barthelmess

Barthelmess

Thomas Mitchell

Kid Dabb

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Only Angels Have Wings

Only Angels Have Wings (1939) Only Angels Have Wings (1939) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A two-fisted adventure tale set in South America, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS stars Cary Grant as the tough-talking head of an air freight service operating in the dangerous Andes Mountains. Jean Arthur co-stars as a vacationing showgirl competing with Rita Hayworth for Grant's affections. A potent combination of humor, romance and action, the film was directed by Howard Hawks, the legendary director responsible for Red River, His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby, and the original Scarface. A triumph of casting, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS is one of the best examples of Columbia chief Harry Cohn's skill in developing talent. Cary Grant had just been released from his contract with Fox when Cohn, sensingthat the handsome leading man was poised for stardom, turned him into Columbia's most durable star. Jean Arthur was an unexpected veteran of 50 films before Cohn "discovered" something in her that previous studios had overlooked. Teaming her with director Frank Capra, he created one of the finest comediennes in Hollywood history. And Rita Hayworth, Cohn's personal protegee, was a pure product of the studio system. Groomed for stardom from the first, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS offered her a chance to learn from the best in the business. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Director
Howard Hawks
Producer
Howard Hawks
Screenwriter
Howard Hawks, Jules Furthman, William Rankin, Eleanore Griffin
Distributor
Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Home Video
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 12, 1939, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 5, 2013
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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