Wings (1927)

Two young men, one rich, one middle class, who are in love with the same woman, become fighter pilots in World War I.

Directors:

William A. Wellman, Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast (uncredited)

Writers:

John Monk Saunders (story), Hope Loring (screenplay)

Stars:

Clara Bow, Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Richard Arlen

Won 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Clara Bow	...	Mary Preston
Charles 'Buddy' Rogers	...	Jack Powell (as Charles Rogers)
Richard Arlen	...	David Armstrong
Jobyna Ralston	...	Sylvia Lewis
El Brendel	...	Herman Schwimpf
Richard Tucker	...	Air Commander
Gary Cooper	...	Cadet White
Gunboat Smith	...	The Sergeant
Henry B. Walthall	...	David's Father
Roscoe Karns	...	Lt. Cameron
Julia Swayne Gordon	...	David's Mother
Arlette Marchal	...	Celeste
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rod Rogers	...	Aviator

Storyline

Two young men from the same town but different social classes end up as fighter pilots in WW1. Jack Preston is a keen auto mechanic, building and modifying cars. David Armstrong comes from a wealthy family. They are both in love with the same woman, Sylvia. Her heart belongs to David but she doesn't let Jack know and plays along with his infatuation. Meanwhile, Jack's neighbour, Mary, is deeply in love with him but he just views her as a friend. WW1 interrupts the romantic entanglements as Jack and David enlist in the US Army Air Service (Air Service of the AEF at the time). They are initially bitter enemies, due to them both vying for Sylvia's affections. Over time, however, they become very good friends. They are both posted to the same fighter squadron in France, where being a fighter pilot means every day could easily be your last.

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Plot Keywords:

world war one | friendship | military training | bisexual | bisexual subtext | 

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Taglines:

Youth, hitting the clouds! Laughing at danger! Fighting, loving, dodging death! That's "WINGS"

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War | Action

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for war violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene in which Rod Rogers becomes drunk, the intoxication displayed on screen was genuine, as although 22 years of age, he had never tasted liquor before, and quickly became inebriated from drinking champagne.

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Goofs

When David says goodbye to his stiff and formal parents and is then greeted affectionately by his dog, as he pets the dog's head, a "treat" can be seen hidden in his hand to make the dogs affectionate.

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Quotes

Cadet White: Got to go out and do a flock of figure eights before chow.

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Alternate Versions

A version played at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on May 15 and 16, 2003, was restored, with fewer scratches, color tintings, and an orchestral score with sound effects.

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years at the Movies (1994)

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Soundtracks

Incidental Symphonies #5
(credited on 2012 restored score only)
Written by Leo Kempinski (as Leo A. Kempinski)

User Reviews

Stunning aerial photography, truly moving

David's expressions, when he is saying good-by to his family, are absolutely wrenching. The only one who overacts is Clara Bow, but she's supposed to be the bubbly, irrepressible girl-next-door, so I give her a pass.

(Was the yellow colorization added to flames then or recently? I found it distracting.)

The uniforms are perfectly detailed too, perhaps because the actual war was so recently in people's memories. Modern movie-makers have gotten very careless about uniform details, I think because they assume no one will notice.

Wonderful scene in the Folies Bergere -- note the female couple at one table in the opening clip -- nothing is new under the sun.

Beautifully digitalized restoration,astonishingly crisp. What a national treasure!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 1929 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wings

Filming Locations:

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$746

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System) (musical score and sound effects) Silent Dolby Digital (2012 restoration edition)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1