The Rocketeer takes place in 1938 Hollywood, where the glamour of Hollywood clubs, studios, and estates is juxtaposed against gritty depression era airfields. The titular hero, test pilot Cliff (played by the sadly forgotten Bill Campbell) discovers an experimental jet pack one day after a police chase destroys the plane that he and his partner Peevy have put their entire savings into. After briefly testing the pack a near disaster forces Cliff to don the pack. His escapades lead the media to dub him the Rocketeer and alert mobsters to the existence of this deadly weapon. Throw in Cliffs plucky damsel in distress girlfriend Jenny, played by Jennifer Connelly, and a dapper Hollywood heartthrob with sinister motives and you've got a fun little adventure film.
The movie is a treat, but it's the art direction that is unbelievable. From the fantastic period costumes, especially those featured in the South Seas Club sequence, to the antique planes, to the phenomenal set design. I especially have to mention the South Seas Club once again, from the women in the water tanks dressed as mermaids, to the giant clam shell that opens to reveal a sexy torch singer, to the sea shell shaped podiums that the band sit behind it ranks very high on my list of favourite film sets. Just to whet your appetite, here's a scene featuring the club...
