Five Came Back_
"Four must die! One must choose!"
Twelve people are aboard Coast Airline's flagship the Silver Queen enroute to South America when the airplane encounters a storm and is blown off course. Crashing into jungles known to be inhabited by head hunters, pilots Bill and Joe race against time to fix the engines and attempt a take off. The situation brings out the best and worst in the stranded dozen as they create a makeshift runway and prepare to escape before the natives attack. But damage to the plane and low fuel reserves means that only 5 people can be carried to safety.
Starring
Chester Morris, Lucille Ball, Wendy Barrie
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Year context
Five Came Back was released 87 years ago in 1939.
Overview
Twelve people are aboard Coast Airline's flagship the Silver Queen enroute to South America when the airplane encounters a storm and is blown off course. Cra...
Five Came Back is a Adventure, Drama film with a runtime of 1h 15m.
CAST (20)
Chester Morris
Bill Brooks
Lucille Ball
Peggy Nolan
Wendy Barrie
Alice Melbourne
John Carradine
Mr. Crimp
Allen Jenkins
Pete
Joseph Calleia
Vasquez
C. Aubrey Smith
Henry Spengler
Kent Taylor
Joe
Patric Knowles
Judson Ellis
Elisabeth Risdon
Martha Spengler
CJ
Casey Johnson
Tommy Mulvaney
Dick Hogan
Larry
Pedro de Cordoba
Latin Ambassador (uncredited)
Frank Faylen
Photographer (uncredited)
Bud Geary
Policeman (uncredited)
Charlie Hall
Airport Worker (uncredited)
Dick Hogan
Larry (uncredited)
Robert Homans
Police Captain (uncredited)
Selmer Jackson
Airlines Official (uncredited)
TJ
Tiny Jones
Flower Lady (uncredited)
BOX OFFICE
$225K
Budget
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
75 min (1h 15m)
Country
Rating
6.2/10 (38 votes)
Budget
$225,000
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Five Came Back about?
Twelve people are aboard Coast Airline's flagship the Silver Queen enroute to South America when the airplane encounters a storm and is blown off course. Crashing into jungles known to be inhabited by head hunters, pilots Bill and Joe race against time to fix the engines and attempt a take off. The situation brings out the best and worst in the stranded dozen as they create a makeshift runway and prepare to escape before the natives attack. But damage to the plane and low fuel reserves means that only 5 people can be carried to safety.
How long is Five Came Back?
Five Came Back has a runtime of 75 minutes (1h 15m).
Who stars in Five Came Back?
The cast of Five Came Back includes Chester Morris, Lucille Ball, Wendy Barrie, John Carradine, Allen Jenkins.
What is the rating of Five Came Back?
Five Came Back has a rating of 6.2 out of 10 based on 38 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Adventure
Drama