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 3 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:

An Epic of the Air

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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

Paramount Pictures was keen to exploit the presence and reputation of Clara Bow by inserting a scene that required her to be topless. Although she was mainly seen from the back, she was briefly glimpsed by the camera from the front.

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Goofs

When Mary paints the star on the driver's side of Jack's car, the right point of the star is imperfect as she throws the brush to the ground. When Jack turns around to see the design, it is perfectly done. Jack then walks to the front of the car and as Mary leans on it, you can partially see on the upper left hood that the same designed is already painted on the passenger's side.

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Quotes

John "Jack" Powell: I hope we meet some Heinies.
Aviator: If Kellermann is up with his circus you'll see plenty, don't worry!

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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 Hollywood: The Golden Years (1961)

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Soundtracks

A Hot Time in the Old Town
(credited on 2012 restored score only)
Written by Joe Hayden and Theodore A. Metz

User Reviews

Photography nice story

My cousin Clifford M. Blackstone Sr. was the person who filmed the flight scenes in this movie. His son Cliff sent me photographs of his Dad filming this movie as well as a few others with Paramount Studios. Cliff said his Dad was put in an airplane and sent up in the air to crank out all those amazing flight scenes. He said his Dad told him he wasn't even secured in the plane. Cliff Blackstone Sr. is from Mercer County, PA and Cliff Jr. says his Dad was the man who created the zoom lens. Just a side bar, Clara Bow, the lead actress in Wings, had a hairdresser Maryl who Clara introduced to Cliff Sr. Cliff Sr. married Maryl and they had Cliff Jr. It is really a nice story.

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