This is a movie I feel I should have seen, but if so I remember nothing about it.

It is a biopic of aviator Charles Lindbergh, and specifically his history-making 33 hour transatlantic flight in the plane of the title. 

The great Billy Wilder directs, and the 25 year-old Lindbergh is played by the 47 year-old James Stewart. Both Lindbergh and Stewart had been air force pilots, and the role was something of a passion project for Stewart, who lobbied for it despite being patently too old for the part.

I do remember, however, I have definitely seen Lindbergh’s actual plane. It is in the Smithsonian museum in Washington. I have a photo of it somewhere. 

Spirit Of St Louis is also, curiously and by sheer coincidence, the title of an album by Ellen Foley, which I bought on vinyl recently. It has the curious distinction that her backing band is comprised of her boyfriend at the time, Mick Jones, and the rest of his band, The Clash! 

Back to the movie, this is a sweet little Belgian poster. It can be found for sale here.