Frances Farmer's second film is a typical B-programmer from the Paramount lot of 1936--up and coming stars (John Howard, Robert Cummings, Grant Withers, Farmer) in a largely forgettable and often laughable melodrama concerning the Coast Guard and smugglers. The chief points of interest are the truly exceptional aerial sequences and Farmer's early performance. While Paramount was still struggling with her "look" (note her huge hand-drawn eyebrows, for example), her film persona was already well on its way, including the haughty temperament which she displays in so many of her roles. Grant Withers provides some comic relief while John Howard provides Farmer's romantic interest. Not a great film by any means (or even a very good one), but essential viewing for any Farmer fan.
Review of Border Flight
