Pilot #5 is a 1943 black-and-white World War II propaganda film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, produced by B. P. Fineman, directed by George Sidney, that stars Franchot Tone, Marsha Hunt, Gene Kelly, and Van Johnson. Pilot #5 marked Gene Kelly's dramatic film debut.
Theatrical release poster
Republic P-43 Lancer fighter
George Sidney was an American film director and producer who worked primarily at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His work includes cult classics Bye Bye Birdie (1963) and Viva Las Vegas (1964). With an extensive background in acting, stage direction, film editing, and music, Sidney created many of post-war Hollywood's big budget musicals, such as Annie Get Your Gun (1950), Show Boat (1951), Kiss Me Kate (1953), Jupiter's Darling (1955), and Pal Joey (1957). He was also a president of the Screen Directors Guild for 16 years.
Sidney while filming 1955's Jupiter's Darling
Esther Williams with George Sidney in glass bottom boat during filming of "Jupiter's Darling" at Silver Springs.