WILLIAM A. WELLMAN

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB. 

USA, 1927.  Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation.  Story by John Monk Saunders, Screenplay by Hope Loring, Louis D. Lighton, titles by Julian Johnson.  Cinematography by Harry Perry.  Produced by Lucien Hubbard.  Music by J.S. Zamecnik.  Production Design by Hans Dreier.  Costume Design by Travis Banton, Edith Head.  Film Editing by E. Lloyd Sheldon. 

First Academy Award winner for Best Picture is a rip-roaring adventure of the skies that has rival suitors Charles Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen forget their differences once they enlist and become friends during their many missions together as fighter pilots. Clara Bow plays the girl back home who loves Rogers, even though he’s still obsessed with Arlen’s girlfriend. The setup of this exciting melodrama was cliched even in 1927, but the flying scenes are completely breathtaking. Look for matinee idol Gary Cooper in a cameo role as a doomed pilot.

Academy Awards:  Best Picture; Best Engineering Effects