Tarnished Angels 1958

1932. The Flying Schumanns entourage - decorated Great War fighter pilot Roger Schumann, his daredevil parachutist wife LaVerne Schumman, mechanic Jiggs, and the Schumanns' now nine year old son Jack Schumann - travel the air show circuit, largely living off prize money won in air races. At their latest stop at the Delta Field Air Show in New Orleans, they are befriended by New Orleans Picayune reporter Burke Devlin, who, due to their tight finances, offers them accommodations in his small one bedroom apartment with him. Burke, covering the air show, wants to do a story on the nomadic lives of the pilots and their entourages traveling the air circuit, especially when he learns of the complex relationship between Roger, LaVerne and Jiggs, which is not always harmonious due to a long held issue, and despite LaVerne and Jack idolizing imperfect Roger. Burke, in getting involved personally with the Schumanns, adds an extra level of complexity to their already troubled family life, which is made even more complex with the involvement of businessman Matt Ord into their livelihood. What happens within this collective makes Burke further examine his work as a reporter, which he sees as not just stating the facts.