The screenplay was written by Arthur Hailey, Hall Bartlett, and John Champion, based on Hailey's 1956 television play Flight into Danger .
While intended as a serious drama, the film's "classically structured" plot and intense dialogue eventually became the foundation for Airplane! . Zero Hour!(1957)
: Stryker must overcome his psychological trauma to land the plane safely in worsening weather, guided by a stern ground controller (Sterling Hayden). Legacy and the "Airplane!" Connection The screenplay was written by Arthur Hailey, Hall
: The character of Ted Stryker remains the protagonist in both films, though his "drinking problem" in the parody is a comedic literalization of the original's psychological struggle. : Stryker must overcome his psychological trauma to
: Ted Stryker (Dana Andrews), an ex-Royal Air Force squadron leader haunted by a wartime mission in Germany that resulted in the deaths of six of his men.
: While on a flight with his wife and son, both pilots and half the passengers fall ill due to contaminated fish.