J. Walter Ruben’s first film as director was in 1931 at RKO with Richard Dix. By the time they made ACE OF ACES two years later, there had been several more collaborations in between. ACE OF ACES was their fifth and final movie together. Leading lady Elizabeth Allan, a British import, had also worked with the director and leading man before. Her approach was much more reserved, but she had a way to mine the simple pathos in a scene; and truly, she is an able match for Dix and a perfect counterpoint, as his style tends to be a bit more bombastic.
In a story like this, which tries to explore both the pro-war and anti-war aspects of battle, the two leads are going to have to explore a variety of emotional depths. Initially, Dix’s character is a sculptor whose artistic work has made him feel intellectually superior to the masses who run off like lemmings, his words, to join the war effort. The First World War has just been declared, and everyone has feelings about it.
When Allan feels Dix’s isolationist stance is a mark of cowardice, she breaks off their engagement. Especially when he criticizes parades with band playing and flag waving as a lot of hysteria. She goes off to serve as a nurse overseas with the Red Cross; while Dix, whose pride has been wounded, decides to enlist and prove her wrong. When he gets to Europe, he becomes an ace flyer, one of the very best, which gives the film its title.
During the middle stretch of the film, he has predictably turned into a full-fledged killing machine. As he spends time with the other flyers, we here things like “here today and hero tomorrow,” to commemorate the men who’ve already died in the air. And “welcome to the ranks of the undead,” to remind us that Dix and the others are still alive with much to prove.
As his reputation grows, Dix gets caught up in the glory of war. He shoots down over 40 Nazi aircraft and is decorated by a French general. As a result of his notable accomplishments, he gets a 48-hour leave in Paris. While he’s there, he runs into Allan again, who’s been working at a dressing station that was just bombed. The bombing scene in which she gets shaken up is superbly acted by Allan and various extras.
As Allan becomes reacquainted with Dix, she realizes how much harder he now is as a man. He challenges her morality, telling her he only has 48 hours of down time, and by gosh, he intends to spend the night with her. She caves in. Since this is a precode and such actions may be morally wrong, her reputation doesn’t seem to suffer much of a setback!
Of course, the story has to eventually come full circle. Dix has to reach a point where he regrets turning into a coldblooded assassin. He has been changed profoundly because of the war, and after it’s all said and done, he has to try to forget and return to his life again back home, with Allan as his wife. Is it too much to ask, for him to find the courage to reclaim his original principles?
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