February 10, 1999 -- Numbering more than a thousand, they would fly more than 60-million miles, ferrying aircraft, performing test-pilot functions, instructing male pilots, and towing targets for anti-aircraft artillery practice, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) served perilous and less glamorous positions during World War II. Thirty-eight women pilots would die performing these various duties. One of those that died, Cornelia Fort, wrote, "I can't say why I fly, but I know its dignity, and self-sufficiency, and pride and skill."

"Fly Girls," a one-hour documentary presented by "Wyoming Public Television and other PBS stations as a part of the American Experience series, examines the creation, challenges, and accomplishments of these courageous women pilots. Written, produced, and directed by Laurel Ladevich, this is a thorough historical review of a remarkable group of women, who in 1942 were called to duty to fly for our armed services. Most women didn't have a driver's license, let alone dreams about being pilots. But led by Jacqueline Cochran, a driven businesswoman and one of America's most famous female pilots, these pioneering young women prove that "women can fly as well as any man."

Although former pilots of WASP tell the story, this is not a nostalgia film about heroines and courage. The memories of Teresa James and Dora Dougherty Strother and others are intertwined with rare archival footage, beautiful reproduced posters and magazine covers, and period music of the 40's. As we watch a mystical plane fly slightly above the clouds with the sun beaming in the distant, the voice-over readings of Fort's words are particularly compelling. It is the only story technique of the film that tends to romanticize the bravery of these "modern girls" of World War II. A more realistic touch (and perhaps even more sensitive and insightful) that the film needed was more "intercom" recording of the voices of the women while actually flying the planes.

But this film makes it clear that their duties are anything but romantic. Flying long hours and every variety of military aircraft, they endured skepticism, fears of sabotage, and male chauvinism. One helped test a new jet fighter; others flew B-29's when male pilots refused to fly them because they were "unsafe." There were "so many dis-believers that we had to deliver the goods." And that they did.

In the end their country disbanded them. Attempting to avoid being drafted into the infantry, male civilian pilots sought the jobs held by WASP. Public opinion favored the men. Once considered heroic for doing a man's job, now these women were considered unpatriotic for trying to hold onto their jobs. Cochran lost this battle to the generals in the Pentagon. In December 1944, WASP became history. Not until 1977 would these women receive full military recognition, officially making them veterans. It would have been interesting if the film's director had pursued this part of the story more in depth. I wanted to know why Hap Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Forces, couldn't win this deserving victory for these unusual women. One is left to conclude that politics and the culture of the times prevailed, not common sense.

This film can be seen on Wyoming Public TV, on Monday, May 24, at 9 p.m.; Sunday, May 30, at 3 p.m. and again on the station's Memorial Day Tribute to veterans on Monday, May 31, at 11 a.m. Check your local listings for channel numbers.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Mike McElreath can be reached via e-mail as MikeM@uwyo.edu