Wings
Wings
Directed by William A. Wellman. 144 mins. (1927)
Gary Cooper – Cadet White
Two rival young men from different social backgrounds, both in love with the same woman, enlist as fighter pilots in World War I, where the trials of combat transform their rivalry into friendship before a tragic turn tests loyalty and forgiveness.
Also starring Clara Bow, Charles “Buddy” Rogers, Richard Arlen, and Jobyna Ralston.
One of the first great aviation epics, Wings featured groundbreaking aerial photography and large-scale battle sequences drawn from director William Wellman’s own wartime flying experience. The film won the first Academy Award for Best Picture and also received the award for Engineering Effects.
MARIA’S NOTES
This film WINGS is about the use of airplanes in World War 1 and the talented and brave men who flew them to daredevil extremes. It notably won the First Best Picture of the Year Academy Award in Hollywood in 1927 and introduced on screen, oh so briefly, a young handsome unknown actor who we literally- hear say a only a couple of lines—his last words being “Luck or no Luck when your time comes you’re going to get it”! and he walks out of the tent. Brief minutes later we see a shadow pass over the tent, hear a loud crash, and we know the pilot’s luck ran out! The movie audiences reacted so strongly and flooded the studio with letters wanting to know who was that incredible looking young man who gets killed? And so, a Star was born, who became one of the Icons of the Movie Industry. In those 90 seconds Gary Cooper captured the audience with a force of personality and a look in his eyes that overshadowed the 2 established stars of Wings, Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen. Director William Wellman, a terrific pilot himselfwho was part of the group of American pilots who joined to fight for the French in WW1 called the Lafayette Escadrille, directed the air fight scenes. One scene called for a plane to cash into a farmhouse. None of the stunt men wanted to do it, and Bill said “Never mind- I’ll do it myself”. You have never seen air combat scenes like this anywhere on the screen—even today, and, with no trick photography! My father’s career was launched by Wings. He never forgot that humble beginning which introduced one of the most revered stars and actors of the 20th century. With his looks, personality and integrity Cooper came to represent the best a Hero can be …the best an American can strive to beon screen and off.
Maria Cooper Janis