The Spirit of St. Louis

The Spirit of St. Louis film poster.

Movie (1957)

Starring:
James Stewart (Charles Lindbergh)
Murray Hamilton (Harlan A. "Bud" Gurney)
Arthur Space (Donald A. Hall)

The Spirit of St. Louis is a 1957 biographical film directed by Billy Wilder and starring James Stewart as Charles Lindbergh. The screenplay was adapted by Charles Lederer, Wendell Mayes, and Billy Wilder from Lindbergh's 1953 autobiographical account of his historic flight, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1954. Along with reminiscences of his early days in aviation, the film depicts Lindbergh's historic 33-hour transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis monoplane from his take off at Roosevelt Field to his landing at Le Bourget Field in Paris on May 21, 1927.

Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis

Three flying replicas of the NYP were made for the film, along with various static props and models.

An NYP replica undergoes test flights in Californa.

An NYP replica immediatley after takeoff, bound for Paris.

An NYP replica replica flying over St. Johns, Newfoundland.

A special effects model depicting an encounter with ice over the north Atlantic.

Jimmy Stewart and an NYP replica upon arrival in Paris.

Airco DH-4B

Lindbergh's airmail flying days are depicted in a flashback sequence in which he attempts to fly in the face of a blizzard.

A special effects model makes a foggy arrival in Peoria.

A full sized example preparing for departure.

Standard J-1

A number of Standard J-1s appear in flashback sequences depicting Lindbergh's days as a flight instructor and barnstorming pilot.

Instructor Lindbergh tries to teach Father Hussman how to land...

...with predictable results.

As a barnstormer, Lindbergh teams up with Bud Gurney, flying a well worn J-1.

Later, as part of a flying circus, Lindbergh and Gurney fly j-1s with more striking liveries.

Curtiss JN-4

A number of Curtiss JN-4s appear in flashback sequences depicting Lindbergh's days as a barnstorming pilot.

Young Lindbergh trades his motorcycle and $400 for a surplus Jenny.

He earns some of his money back by selling rides to often reluctant passengers.

The Jenny finishes it's days as Lindbergh enlists in the Army.

Unidentified Aircraft

These 2 seaters appear on the flight line at Brooks Field.

Possibly a Jenny variant?

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See also

• The Spirit of St. Louis at IMDb
• The Spirit of St. Louis at Wikipedia