MovieChat Forums > Twelve O'Clock High (1950) Discussion > Just before attack on ball bearing facto...

Just before attack on ball bearing factory....

posted 17 years ago by gtrguy1
4 replies | jump to latest

I am watching ths movie as I type, and I just watched the scene between General Savage and the general above him. The General tells Savage that he thinks he is acquiring the same problem that Col. Davenport had. And when Gen. Savage leaves, he calls Davenport on the intercom and tells him to gather personnel files on all Execs that could take over a group in an emergency and keep it quiet.

QUESTION: Does the General already know that Savage is gonna break? What are your thoughts.

[–] hobartz 17 years ago

He suspects that a breakdown could happen... after all, it happened earlier to his best commander, Keith Davenport. The "organization" is indeed learning in this new situation.

[–] mozartmessiah 17 years ago

Another possibility is that the (other) General thinks Savage might be killed in action soon. During their talk, he also tells Savage in effect that he has been going on way too many runs with the squadron. Savage thinks that is the way to lead them and get their respect. The bottom line is that it is clear from their discussion that Savage is getting a bit too involved with the squadron.

[–] GeorgeBailey 10 years ago

Of course.

If you compare Savage's discussion about the state of his men in that conversation with the general to Davenport's discussion at the start of the movie, before he is replaced, about the state of his men, you'll find that they are almost exactly alike.

Both began giving more excuses about why their men couldn't/shouldn't fly than why they could.

[–] moonpuppy_ver1-1 10 years ago

exactly, Savage has turned into Davenport.