SKY PATROL was the third in a series of four adventure thrillers made in the 1930s and featuring the character of 'Tailspin Tommy', played by real-life pilot John Trent. Trent was by all accounts uncomfortable with being filmed and so quit the film business soon afterwards, leaving this minor but interesting body of work behind him.
This film is straightforward enough and provides a good mix of action, thrills, and character work into the brief running time. Tommy is on the hunt for a criminal gang and to help him he's recruiting some green pilots, one of whom is former child actor Jackie Coogan. Coogan gets into difficulties due to his natural cowardice in the air, but it all works out okay in the end. SKY PATROL is hardly award-winning material, but it passes the time amiably enough and has a snappy, serial feel to it.
This film is straightforward enough and provides a good mix of action, thrills, and character work into the brief running time. Tommy is on the hunt for a criminal gang and to help him he's recruiting some green pilots, one of whom is former child actor Jackie Coogan. Coogan gets into difficulties due to his natural cowardice in the air, but it all works out okay in the end. SKY PATROL is hardly award-winning material, but it passes the time amiably enough and has a snappy, serial feel to it.