FAMOUS U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER GAG MOVIE LAUNCH 'EM! 81454

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This U.S. Navy Film Launch 'Em was filmed by pilots aboard the USS Hancock in 1956. The film was made while the carrier cruised home from her Far East deployment, apparently with the unofficial blessing of the Eisenhower administration. A legendary film among Naval Aviators, it disappeared from view in the very early 1960s, as it became politically incorrect and taboo. Pilots are fighting in the ready room. Flight deck crewmen starting jet engines with cigarette lighters. These and other hi-jinks might not be regulation, but they do appear in Launch 'Em.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...

[@jamesyoungquist6923]

Thanks!

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Thanks so much. Gifts like this permit us to purchase and post more rare and endangered films!

[@jamesyoungquist6923]

@@PeriscopeFilm my pleasure. Love your channel

[@TheGryxter]

I was an EFS (Engine Flame Sparkman) one of the more dangerous jobs on a carrier. Made it to E-5 until that tragic day when my Zippo flint quit working. Had to use ordinary matches. Terrible wind that day and we were unable to launch. Pilots refused to believe the engines were actually running unless they saw the flames coming out the back. I was drummed out on a little used but still on the books rule. I was told I was a Disparkable human being and discharged.

[@Milkmans_Son]

Sounds like you were burned out anyway...

[@danduffy7974]

@@Milkmans_Son funny......burned out!!

[@Nyet-Zdyes]

That's funny. I used to steal you guys' flint. Hey, I thought I was supposed to be *preventing* fires. I just *knew* that you guys wouldn't be able to resist starting fires. When they found out, they told *me* that I was desparkable, too.

[@gailpippin9761]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 'Dissparkable'!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@kellychuba]

I still have my zippo!

[@Shogun459]

Nobody spoofs the military better than we ourselves do. Great fun, Thanks.

[@losloneone]

I never saw this before. The editing on the pilots taking off was brilliant! The one pilot trying to get out of the plane as it was being shot off is my favorite.

[@drivernjax]

I don't know. I kind of liked when the catapult officer calls the jet back and explains to the pilot how he's supposed to fly off the carrier.

[@chriscase9549]

The guy reading the Playboy during the briefing was my shotgun shooting buddy Swede Hedburg. He graduated Annapolis the year I was born. He disembarked 3 years ago. I miss his war stories and other lies. Seemed his career was about like the LP version of this flick.

[@redleader]

Cool Story. He never moved a muscle during that entire melee!! Well done!

[@anthonylowder6687]

Absolutely the best Navy “training” film I have seen in years!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ptroinks]

The "salute" they give before launching is absolutely hilarious!

[@bobd5197]

Love the officer sitting there drinking his coffee and reading his magazine throughout the entire ready room fiasco!

[@sturmovik1274]

Another comment says that was a buddy named Swede Hedburg, who died about 2017. They describe his career as "about like the LP version of this flick."

[@johnlynch5221]

That was hilarious! The ready room gone total bat Sh--- and this guy has his feet propped up reading a magazine.

[@checkyoursix5623]

This is on a par with Adm. Dan Gallery's story about 4 Blue Angels pilots who wanted to get even with one of the Form stage flight instructors at Corry Field (back in the day) who came down hard on one of their ground crew guys. They "kidnapped" the student pilots and took their places on the flight schedule one day on a Form training flight. Drove the guy nuts with their misadventures - flying Blues maneuvers w/o talking on the radio. He was screaming and yelling over the radio. It must have been something to watch. I have the tower tape that was recorded that day ...

[@eddievhfan1984]

Can it be shared with an inquiring public?

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Don't tell us you have the audio and then sit on it for a year. Post it!!

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

That's the sort of thing you post after everyone involved has retired.

[@tmlafrance]

John Trotti talks about the same thing in his book Phantom Over Vietnam.

[@jessicae.s.340]

Gallery wrote some really good books..my high school library had most of them…Mid-60’s..They wouldn’t allow them in today’s schools of course….

[@raybin6873]

Hilarious! Never thought the Navy would ever allow this! Humor goes a long way in boosting morale!

[@cduncan3713]

I was a photographersmate (PH2) in the navy, we were shown this film as part of our motion picture editing training.

[@mikemcintyre9494]

I think Sam Shapiro may have had something to do with this masterpiece...

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

Not SAM SHAPIRO! The REAL Sam Shapiro? Not an imposter? Gadzooks, sir!

[@331SVTCobra]

On IMDB it says he was a frustrated fan of silent movies and that he made this movie in between his marriages to Hedy Lamarr and Audrey Hepburn.

[@RighteousReverendDynamite]

The vertical jumps of the pilots into the cockpits were impressive. They had to time the pitching of the deck to get it right!

[@fredblonder7850]

Actually, it was the effect of the slide-whistle that boosted them into the cockpit. The same way the WHOOSH-WHOOSH noise propels the doors on “Star Trek”.

[@charlesbynum]

I did laugh when they swabbed up the "splatter" on the elevator.

[@TheHawk--oe8iq]

Yeah, that's a 30 ft drop, from the roof to the main deck. They're gonna feel that in the morning.😆

[@TheFishingPilot]

that was good!

[@cenzgullo3097]

I love it! We have lost the ability to make fun of ourselves.......

[@morganjohnson539]

I started in the "old Navy" in 1978, got out to the fleet in 1980. It was a ragged, gritty time, but humor got us through. Then a few years later fun began to be against the rules. We had to shave out beards, take down the pinups and eventually lost our informal "call signs" (mine was Mojo) and refer to each other by rank and name. All fun ended in the West Coast fleet when women came aboard the ship. EVERYTHING was serious - for us, not for them. Routine and traditional hazing that built bonds in divisions, became criminal offenses if a woman did not see the humor (and they never did). By the time I hit 20 I was ready to sprint out the gate with my DD 214 and a pile of burning uniforms in the rearview mirror.

[@joemccarthywascorrect6240]

The Seventeenth Beatitude: “Blessed are They who can Laugh at Themselves, For They Shall Never Cease To Be Amused.”

[@roghardy3126]

OMG! I distinctly remember watching this as a 12 year old during part of an Air Explorer troop meeting sponsored by VF-101 at NAS Key West (Boca Chica) around 1958. NEVER thought I'd see it again! (No bootleg copy - officially sanctioned by the squadron.) Thanks to the uploader! It was especially interesting to me because my father, Lew Hardy, had deployed as CO of VA-195 on the Oriskany in '55 - sister ships, and the same aircraft, ops and equipment. So, even the stupid scenes (these guys grew up in the end of the silent film era) like the ready room were interesting. Of course, the F9F launches were great! One new takeaway - the flight deck crews with no apparent ear protection! Hopefully they had cotton in their ears, but that probably wasn't enough to keep from hearing impairment later in life. Hats off to the sailors and supporting families of this era.

[@garyfoale3707]

As a soldier, this supports a lot of my preconceptions involving pilots

[@beertruk2429]

I concur.

[@danduffy7974]

Yeah, but Air Force pilots dont screw around!! LOL

[@warrenpuckett4203]

OSVET 11B and then EW. Then Finance and Personnel in the nasty guard. Got deployed 6 times in the guard. Always something that needed fixin in Finance or Personnel. I used to wear all the obscure ribbons for the 12 minimum required on the chest in Class A uniform. I convinced one guy that my Navy good conduct was a legion of merit. Oh and I also got one for a combined Army/Navy operation that I never told them what is was for. It was fun for me and a old tunnel rat to do stuff like that. Then change out for something else. He however always had one up on me. The Silver Star which he never wore except in dress uniform. I don't blame him. You don't want a Silver Star. Because most of the time you don't survive long enough for the Silver Star getting pinned on your chest. I knew a lot of brown shoes when I was in the Navy.

[@philkearny5587]

Reinforces my preconceptions about swabbies.

[@CaesarInVa]

I remember watching this in the hanger during a Safety Stand-Down when I was with VS-21 at NAS North Island. I thought the scene when the pilot was launched even though he was giving the thumbs down signal was hilarious. Still do.

[@maxsmodels]

No one can say naval aviation doesn't have a sense of humor.

[@warrenpuckett4203]

Well the black shoes were always grouchy because they did not get to wear brown shoes.

[@masterskrain2630]

And now you know why us tin can sailors had to be around, to pick up the Airedales who messed up, and ended up in the drink!!

[@kenbtheman]

That was awesome. For a gag movie there was a great deal of effort put into this production. You could never do something like this now.

[@morganjohnson539]

For a while we could -see VAW 114's Hey Yah cruise video that not only went viral but was featured on national news outlets and even got official Navy approval. But you're right, fun is outlawed in the current millennium.

[@trooperdgb9722]

In the Gulf back in 91 (I was on an Australian frigate) we were sent a copy of a video called "MIDWAY's greatest hits. OK..it wasn't a spoof like that one...but it WAS a collection of the best vidoe footage of all her strikes against Iraqi targets... probably not allowed and Classified... pretty sure it had music put to it!

[@Max._Power]

greenhorns in training films before they learn what they're supposed to be doing is this entire film, love it.

[@Espuds]

So the “air crews to the flight deck “ scene was what inspired the "where's the stage" scene in This is Spinal Tap?

[@allandavis8201]

And they say the Americans don’t have a sense of humour, from this offering I can sea 🌊 it’s not true. Thanks for sharing. 😂👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@KO-pk7df]

I've been there and done that. I actually LMFAO and to tears! Flight deck parts were the funniest.

[@ZombieGrandpa]

War and military service even in peace, is harsh. Anyone that would call this politically incorrect has never been to war. I am most pleased you were able to preserve this funny, self-effacing short. Even in "peace time," flying that close to China and North Korea would have been stressful events. Decompressing from a far East tour is a needed thing- and this makes it all the easier.

[@이이-n4z8y]

Why would it be stressful? They outmatched them in every aspect

[@glorialotz3333]

I like the guy reading the Playboy in the ready room.

[@whatgoesaroundcomesaround1376]

That's the Skipper!

[@Roddy556]

The not-so-ready room

[@nagjrcjasonbower]

Mock silent film with cartoon vibes. MUCH RESPECT!!!!❤❤❤😂

[@johnmcnaught7453]

I must have seen this clip a hundred times over the years, never gets old.

[@morganjohnson539]

As a carrier crewman for much of my career I found most of their hijinks rather tame, but what do you expect from officers? I really busted a gut over the launch sequences though! They showed some real immaturity there. Hard to pick a favorite, but if forced to choose at gunpoint I'd go with the aviator casually leaning out of the cockpit smoking a cigar at the launch. The Zippo igniter was pure gold too. Probably an AO1 or ABF1 came up with that gem.

[@jimbower9268]

I saw this when I was going through avionics school at the Naval Air Technical Training Command in 1971. It was ancient then, but we all got a big kick out of it, even though we were just fresh out of boot camp.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

Great stuff! You need a little relief now and then, these guys were awesome.

[@kiltedscorpio]

I remember watching this on a bad weather day at NAS Pensacola in the training command in 1972 or so . . . somebody had a bootleg copy of it.

[@robbyowen9107]

Good stuff!! So fun to watch! Thank you!!

[@duncanbrown1864]

Oh this was fun! Thanks for sharing!

[@bobmarlowe3390]

The recording of 'Anchors Aweigh' at the beginning was painful.

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

I kept waiting for the film to start skipping.

[@steveforbes7718]

I cannot stop laughing! This was too much. The fact that the military actually had a sense of humor back then says a lot. Yes, we had a lot of gag films and such when in Iraq but, not nearly as creative as this one.

[@karlt8233]

OMG.. The shooter was hilarious. Two no go signals then shoot him anyway. Many years before my service even began but can still relate. Love this film.

[@PumaTwoU]

Hysterical!!! F9F Cougar, the swept wing version.

[@davekisor1486]

First time I ever saw this in 1972 while stationed at NAS Lemoore, CA with VA-127. From there, it was to CV-19 in 1975.

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Thanks for your service to our great nation.

[@pinverarity]

You must’ve known my dad, LCDR Jerry Romano! I inherited his VA-127 squadron coffee mug when he passed away some years back. Hope you’re well.

[@rons1042]

As I watch this , I think of how much the Navy has changed over the years , how many Boards ? Courts Martial would be convened after watching this film. Funny ass shit though

[@ipscxtc]

What's the difference between a 3rd grade classroom and a Navy ready room? Not a damned thing.

[@leeblake3989]

Yes there is a difference. The 3rd grade classroom has adult leadership.

[@para1324]

Wonderfull antics, leads to higher moral. Well done. 🤝👏 🇺🇸

[@mariebelladonna437]

I bet those guys had an absolute blast making this film! Um...no pun intended, lol. Great upload!

[@roberthepburn-gr4fq]

Navy and Marine corps aviators are second to none The Air Force and space command only wish they could have good pilots as the Navy and Marines 😅

[@peglegpete6656]

Awesome, although I was a black shoe I served on Constellation (CVA64) and Kitty Hawk (CV 63)

[@TheHawk--oe8iq]

Speaking of Kitty Hawk, when I reported aboard in 1986, I saw a red submarine painted on her stack. Someone had painted it there not long after the Hawk tried to hump a Russian sub, disabling the sub, and getting a piece of sub prop stuck in her hull. The sense of humor didn't last, having been ordered to have the red sub removed from her stack not long afterward.

[@thejerseyj5479]

Brilliant, the escalator scene was the highlight of a very funny film.

[@hambone5718]

Excellent film. Funny and its great that we could laugh at one another. Unlike today.

[@owencrater7089]

What a gem of a film!

[@mlhardin1822]

I don't know why but I get the suspicion that this was inspired by either the "Keystone Cops" OR "Laurel and Hardy". Wonderful to see the antics that their down time inspired. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

[@leeblake3989]

The answer is "yes" to both. I expected to see Charlie Chaplin as the Air Boss.

[@nickpond9337]

Good Fun to Watch so Thank You ;

[@HuhuhiCfyygh]

I didn't realize that lunching rade kud be sooomuch fun !😊

[@KennethMixson]

So, that is how it is done.

[@robertcombs55]

My favorite site!

[@escargo0133]

That was a classic! 🤣🤣🤣 Haven't watched a good silent picture in a looooonng time.

[@mikespangler98]

There was a definite Benny Hill vibe to this. 😊

[@alanclarke8493]

🤩🇬🇧

[@thegeneral5716]

This is hilarious, I love it.

[@kevinducharme1263]

LMAO. it must have been hard for these guys to keep straight faces when they made this.

[@vonmazur1]

There is an Army Aviation film like this that I once viewed......I think they have hidden that one as well...

[@allenhamilton6688]

Fantastic!

[@WeimarAmerica]

That was a refreshing change in "official" Navy movies by Sam Simpson.

[@Khanclansith]

This is exactly how my time was in the Army, in a headquarters unit work all the time with all sorts of officers around... we made a lot of stupid youtube videos for laughs and to keep from going crazy.

[@samb3706]

Back in the days when the Navy has a sense of humor! Try that today, and you will be in the brig. Sam Shapiro was a genious!

[@mikeyj9607]

You mean to tell me this isnt standard carrier operations ? ...grins

[@peterszar]

Very funny film. That fake fight in the ready room was great, hassling over a flight suit, kudos Mr. Shapiro. My brother-in-law was on the "Hanna". Maybe this is why he's so goofy, ha ha.

[@annseger9519]

Can't imagine any other navy in the world getting away with making something like this. Germany , no Japanese, no. Britain, no. France, no. Russia, gurgle gurgle gurgle.

[@vincentmueller3717]

I thought the sense of humor was removed at The Pr#ck Factory. Vaccines pumped in, humor sucked out. This was right up there with Harold Lloyd. Impressive.

[@Weesel71]

Pretty imaginative. Only thing missing was Porky Pig at the end. B-dah, B-dah that's all folks.

[@raymondclark1785]

One day at Lakehurst after a lunch meeting we were watching a movie of bad deadload shots. Most were where the deadload failed to trap and mowed down Jersey Pines. When we got to where we usually turned it off a pilot walks out from behind the deadload and throws his helmet down 😅

[@MrBill_oohya]

Excellent Training Video for the Chinese Carrier Pilots 😅

[@Jonathan-dq8hb]

This and similar videos are available on a DVD titled " Where's My Jet ?" .

[@harlech2]

It sure was a better time when we didn't take ourselves so seriously. Ward Carrol has a very similar movie to this over on his KZbin channel called "Pop Gun" where they spoofed Top Gun in the mid-eighties.

[@arti252]

I haven’t laughed as much for ages.

[@RandallFlaggNY]

I think I saw Ted Striker in it...

[@thatguyinelnorte]

That's exactly how I assumed carriers operated...

[@fr57ujf]

Great fun.

[@mumblbeebee6546]

I learnt not only that the guys had fun but also that they had escalators on board, which was new to me. I read up a bit on them since, fascinating history! Thanks for sharing! Did they actually take off with the canopy open or is there some trickery going on I have missed?

[@davekisor1486]

Was this actually CAG's nightmare?

[@taproom113]

Good catch ... Afirm. ^v^

[@hueyiroquois3839]

I saw a similar film on Ward Carrol's channel. Even though some parts were nearly identical to this, I'm sure that it was totally original, because I would never accuse naval personnel of plagiarism or anything like that.

[@proteusnz99]

Filmed on the USS Keystone obviously. Please to the Chinese, How to run an aircraft carrier. Interesting to see them launch with canopy open, when would that be abandoned, F4D, F8U?

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

The Air Force made something similar and it to was hilarious. I saw that one several years ago.

[@Patrick-h1d5j]

I absolutely love this!!!!😂

[@mjeffn2]

The ready room looks like a meeting of the Freedom Caucus. 😂

[@jdunlap2]

Best damn movie about the US Navy I have ever seen!🤣🤣🤣

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

Mr Perryscope ya'll need to oil up the winder for the musical debut of this h'year film. It was wonderful to see this jet blast off into the wild blue yonder. My brother's funeral had these jets fly over as a tribute.

[@firefly-vc5ew]

Remember this video well, Class 8-65

[@kenkahre9262]

According to one story I heard, some admirals did not find it funny and tried to suppress it. Some people do not have a sense of humor.

[@taliaperkins1389]

The Soviets should have recalled, the side with the best sense of humor wins.

[@BigAlsautoupholstery]

Loved it 😂

[@gastonbell108]

This is hilarious! And totally unexpected given the era. Everybody got in on the roast, even the Old Man! The Hancock must have been a happy ship to be able to laugh at their own BS.

[@erictaylor5462]

When did Sam Shapiro ever have time to fly?

[@MegaBIGJOE64]

That explains a lot ...:)

[@dave.of.the.forrest]

At 01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference. Am I doing it right?

[@fredwood1490]

Yep! Exactly the way it was! Or so I've been tol.

[@larryblanks6765]

Love the film it's like watching the keystone cops.

[@flashcar60]

McHale's Navy had a carrier group, it appears.

[@lorenzomaximo1818]

What is this McHale's Navy?

[@jensludvigsen703]

Not bad at all. "FLY NAVY"

[@mancheezethegreat8617]

When they smoked in the ready room.

[@douglasrodrigues332]

Got me laughing.