High Flight

[mig21pilot]

A TRUE freaking classic! I used to watch this in the 1960s.Sneak out and turn the TV on.

[mgwilliams1000]

John Gillespie McGee Jr. 19 years old when he wrote this from a cockpit of a Spitfire. Less than two months later he would lose his life in the Battle of Britain.  The only American to die during that battle. Simply amazing.

[napalmvoododaddy]

just think. mcgee,jr. died so very long ago. in the days of his tme where he flew a spitrire. and to climb and fly like they did back then. their hopes and dreams. the loves in their lives. they gave it their all so we could have a chance at future freedom. so i say, gby john mcgee,jr. r.i.p. as ex mititary myself , i can be with you in spirit, in this great brotherhood.

[CrispinRobles]

This is a wonderful TV spot from the Old America.

[elvishitler]

i remember this as a kid being shown every sunday morning when one of the detroit area tv stations came on the air. my friends and i used to goof on the over dramatic narration. but watching it now across the gulf of years, i think it's poignant.

[AceBG27]

Been looking for this for months. Thanks so much. I am from Windsor - and this was definetly a sign-off for one of the Detroit stations - maybe channel 50? A beautiful poem and inspiring film. 35 years later, it still sends a cill up my spine.

[bacdoc25]

Thank you so much for putting this on. I have looked for this for years. I used to try and stay awake until the tv channell would sign off with this. It still gives me goose bumps just like it did 45 + or- years ago. This is awesome. Thanks again.

[kidcoast777]

Wow! this brings back memories, I used to stay up at night to hear this at the station sigh-off.....MrOongowa I am from the Cincinnati area and I remember skipper ryle and the tall twelve show and bob schrewe when the stations sign off after 1:00 p.m. and in black and white...

[mickymann]

My father was the Commander of the 339th Fighter Interceptor Squadron for a time during WWII and this poem was framed large in the hallway of the house in Alexandria, Va. when I was a child (my dad worked at the Pentagon). My mom and I used to stay up late on the weekends just so we could see this when the local station signed off.

[CofCGuy]

John Gillespie Magee, Jr. is the author.

[bobcrunch]

When I was in the Air Force, the base where I was stationed had F-106s, but one day an F-104 landed and stayed for a few hours. When it left, the pilot (the showoff) let it gain speed at ground level for the length of the runway, then stood it on its tail and he was out of sight in less than 10 seconds! I guess the F-15, F-16, F-18, and F-22 can do that today, but in 1960, that was impressive!

[mwp62]

Remember seeing this in the 60's on KCOP channel 13 in So Calif. They used it as kind of a mid day station break. I loved it then as I love it now.

[IamZardoz]

Lived in San Antonio in the mid-60's and this was on at night (dont know what the heck I was doing up back then). Great memories, thanks for posting!

[buckygeer]

My favorite poem and prayer, because I've lived it.

[SgtRock57]

Oh man! I'm 6 years old again watching this on our two station black and white TV. I always felt a hint of sadness each time I heard it. I agree, today's tv programs don't deserve such a wonderful sound off. Let it remain in revered history...

[MrOongowa]

This is so cool! I grew up in Springboro, OH in the early 60's to 70's and I remember this. We were able to watch TV from both Cincinnati and Dayton stations. Out of Cincy in the morning I used to watch Skipper Ryle and then after school I would watch Uncle Orie out of Dayton.

[Taaaarail]

Today's tv is not worthy of such a remarkable sign off such as this!

[roadrodent1952]

At least one, maybe two, of the Indiana stations in the 60's used to call it a day (And start up in the morning) with this.

[bookmanpc]

signoff in Central Florida as well.

[belmontmike]

"put out my hand and touched the face of God"

[ferociousgumby]

Great nostalgia! Didn't realize at the time, of course, that it's a sonnet. This was either the signoff for Detroit or Cleveland, the 2 American stations we got in Canada. The reading is close to the line, but not quite over. Why did they use this as a signoff? Why the need for a signoff at all? Remember Lamp Unto my Feet? The music at the beginning is like the old Superman series with George Reeves, and the ending is pure Hollywood schmaltz (anyone watch The Ten Commandments over the weekend?)

[61804shill]

There were many TV stations that signed off with this. I remember this as a kid...it moved me then, it still does as I am in my mid 50's now.  A timeless piece of work !

[AgentJayZ]

Love the footage of one of the fastest planes ever built.

Where I work, we build Starfighter engines.

Thanks for posting this!

[budscin]

I love this film so much. It's been a part of my life since I was a child. What's great is that, thanks to youtube, we get to see that beautiful film just as we remember it back in the day. This sign off film is an underrated masterpiece. I've talked to people in their 20s about this. And they are too young to remember when TV stations used to signoff the air for the day. It's odd how back then there were fewer TV channels, but the programs were much better than the ones of today.

Thank you!