Wikisource:WikiProject Film/Drafts/Archives/Wings (film)
User: PseudoSkull
File: Wings (1927).webm
Author: William Augustus Wellman
Publisher: Paramount Pictures
Year: 1927
PD: PD/US|1985|film=yes
Note:
Cat: Action film, Drama film, Silent film, War film
00:00
A
Paramount
Picture
00:18
Adolph Zukor and Jesse L. Lasky
present
A LUCIEN HUBBARD
PRODUCTION
WINGS
Directed by
William A. Wellman
B. P. SCHULBERG——ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
COPYRIGHT—MCMXXVII
PARAMOUNT FAMOUS LASKY CORPORATION
ADOLPH ZUKOR, PRESIDENT
NEW YORK CITY
00:31
Story by
JOHN MONK SAUNDERS
Screen play by
HOPE LORING
and LOUIS D. LIGHTON
Editor-in-chief
E. LLOYD SHELDON
00:42
Photographed by
HARRY PERRY
Titles by
JULIAN JOHNSON
00:53
THE PLAYERS
Mary Preston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
Clara Bow | |
Jack Powell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
Charles Rogers | |
David Armstrong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
Richard Arlen | |
Sylvia Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
Jobyna Ralston |
and
El Brendel | Richard Tucker | Gary Cooper |
Gunboat Smith | Henry B. Walthall | Roscoe Karns |
Julia Swayne Gordon | Arlette Marchal |
01:11
On June 12, 1927, in Washington, Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh paid simple tribute to those who fell in the War.
01:21
"In that time," he said, "feats were performed and deeds accomplished which were far greater than any peace accomplishments of aviation."
01:35
To those young warriors of the sky, whose wings are folded about them forever, this picture is reverently dedicated.
01:46
A small town—1917—youth and the dreams of youth.
02:10
Jack Powell had always longed to fly...in every day-dream he heard the whir of wings.
02:29
In fact, he had left the ground several times, in—
02:41
Mary Preston had always lived next door. Once Jack had picked her out of a bonfire—and sometimes he regretted it.
03:20
"Gee, can't you let a man work in peace?"
03:56
Almost an automobile....
04:07
"The new speed gears'll make 'er travel like a shooting star."
04:15
"The shooting star.... Say——what a great name for her!"
05:03
"D'you know what you can do when you see a shooting star?"
05:10
"Well....you can kiss the girl you love."
05:16
"Maybe I will."
05:58
"All right, Mary. See you later."
06:20
Sylvia Lewis had an advantage over the small-town girls. She was a visitor from the city.
06:31
David Armstrong had an advantage, too—his was the wealthiest family in town.
06:54
"Sylvia! I want you to have the first ride."
07:46
So Youth laughed and wept and lived its heedless hour, while over the world hung a cloud which spread and spread until its shadow fell in some degree on every living person.
07:59
WAR
08:02
And Youth answered the challenge—
08:08
AVIATION
EXAMINING
STATION
08:10
Here was a door that only the bravest of the brave dared open—a path of glory mounting toward the stars!
08:48
"Put your monicker on that, Handsome."
08:59
"Herman Schwimpf?? That's a fine name to fight the Kaiser with!"
09:06
"If I had my way, I'd throw all you Dutchmen in the coop till the end o' the war."
09:16
"I'm as much American as you—I show you!"
09:24
STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER
09:49
Life marched at double-quick in those feverish days of '17. Drums beat.... bugles called.... everywhere feet were hurrying, lips were pressed to lips in parting....
10:07
To David
with all my love
Sylvia
10:40
"Sylvia! I'm leaving for training school——this afternoon—"
10:48
"I'm awfully proud of you, Jack—and I wish you all the luck in the world."
11:00
"Could—would you give me your picture, Sylvia—to—take with me?"
11:17
"Gee, I never expected you'd have this ready for me! I'll wear it always——it will bring me luck."
11:25
"Please don't misunderstand—"
12:24
"If you'd seen his look, David——"
12:30
"—you'd know why I couldn't take it back."
12:45
"He has only a picture, David—because I was sorry for him—"
12:51
"—but you—you have—"
12:56
"——my heart!"
13:25
"Gee! I almost forgot to say good-bye to Mary—"
13:39
"Well, I'm on my way, Mary. Good-bye."
13:53
"I brought you—this. I thought—maybe—you might—"
14:25
"You can use the Shooting Star while I'm gone."
14:35
"But watch out you don't bust her up!"
15:05
"—and, David, don't forget to change your socks when your feet are damp. And another thing—"
15:16
"Yes, Mother."
15:36
"It's time for Master David to leave for the train."
15:59
"I didn't know you still had this little old bear of mine!"
16:09
"You loved it more than any toy you ever had—it seems only yesterday—"
16:17
"—and now my little boy is—a soldier."
18:19
"That bear isn't big enough to do much fighting for you, Dave!"
18:26
"I thought I'd take it with me, Dad. Maybe it'll bring me luck."
18:39
"Oh, Davie, Davie—be sure you bring it back to me!"
19:07
The first step on the road to glory.....no thrills—no glamour—and as exciting as going back to school!
20:06
"Herman Schwimpf? In this man's army?"
20:12
"Yah, Schwimpf! And as good a fighter as you, Irisher. I show you!"
20:29
STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER
20:51
They had come to fly—only to learn that aviators are made on the ground. No wonder their world was upside down!
22:01
Through all the grind of training, Jack's dislike for David increased day by day.
22:20
"Hey, Powell—lay off my hat!"
22:35
"Wipe—that—smile—off!"
22:54
"Stop! STOP! I never seen such a bunch o' washwomen in me life!"
23:10
"Come here, Unconscious!"
23:25
"Here's th' way to uncork a right!"
23:34
"An' this is the way to shoot yer left!"
23:54
"Never swing a roundhouse like this."
24:18
"Change over."
24:25
"Now hop to it, youse powder-puff guys!"
25:47
"Boy, you're game!"
26:06
While at home—
26:13
WOMEN'S MOTOR CORPS
MEETING CALLED FOR
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
Mrs. Bell Thomas asks for volunteers for a unit of the Woman's Motor Corps of America. >/b Those who can drive Ford cars are especially desired.
26:44
Jack and David began to believe they were never to see any real planes——then, suddenly ground school days were over!
27:53
"My name's White."
27:59
"Glad you fellows are in here, Powell. We'll see a lot of each other."
28:13
"Got to go out and do a flock of figure eights before chow."
28:39
AlmondMilk
Chocolate
THE GENUINE BEARS THIS SIGNATURE [...]
ALMOND
28:51
"Why the bear? Good luck?"
29:05
"Lots of fellows do have mascots, don't they, White?"
29:16
"Yeah, lots of the fellows carry something for luck."
29:22
"But, I never have."
29:42
"Luck or no luck, when your time comes, you're going to get it!"
29:54
"Maybe he's right, but when I leave the ground, this bear goes with me."
30:02
"Here, too!"
30:05
"Didn't know you carried a lucky piece. What is it?"
30:10
"It's a secret!"
30:15
Overhead, planes circle and dive, loop and spiral upward...the air seems filled with them as Cadet White begins his "figure eights before chow".
31:02
"You know they told us not to run out in case of a crash!"
31:24
"Are these Cadet White's quarters?"
31:30
"Get his stuff together. I'll be back to take it to headquarters."
32:21
To my dear boy
may God watch over you, and protect you always
32:57
AlmondMilk
Chocolate
THE GENUINE BEARS THIS SIGNATURE [...]
ALMOND
33:20
"Cadet Powell?.... Cadet Armstrong?"
33:25
"Report to the dead-line immediately for flying instruction."
34:10
CRASH TOOLS
34:42
"All set?"
34:45
"O.K.!"
34:58
Like a mighty maelstrom of destruction, the war now drew into its center the power and the pride of all the earth.
35:39
Overseas....
The nest of the war eagles—an American airdrome behind the lines.
35:59
The Shooting Star again—this time a rider of the heavens!
36:07
Herman Schwimpf's patriotism was puncture-proof. Thrown out as a flyer—re-enlisted as a mechanic—
36:26
"Wake up! WAKE UP! You're on the dawn patrol!"
36:32
His first dawn patrol! Here was his dream come true—here was the trumpet call to breathless hazards in the skies! Here—at last!
37:34
"Patrol between here and Mervale—and look out for Captain Kellermann and his 'Flying Circus'."
37:52
"Powell—Armstrong—it's your first patrol. Keep formation—watch for signals!"
38:01
"Keep your neck like an owl's. And be careful on your turns!"
38:13
"I hope we meet some Heinies."
38:18
"If Kellermann is up with his circus you'll see plenty, don't worry!"
38:41
"All set?"
38:45
"O.K.!"
39:28
The whir of wings, once only a romantic dream, now broke over Jack Powell in stern reality.
40:19
On the high sea of heaven—
40:33
The enemy!
40:41
Count von Kellermann—famous German ace and leader of the Flying Circus.
41:08
The rival leaders signal for attack.
41:21
At ten thousand feet above the earth, the opposing squadrons hurl themselves into a 'dog fight'.
41:35
Incendiary bullets—and American No. 3 spins down in flames!
42:01
The battle-royal becomes a series of individual duels—
42:09
The score evens—German No. 2 is brought down by American No. 2—
43:29
—but in turn American No. 2, off guard one moment, pays the price!
44:19
The American leader is hit!
44:47
The fight spreads out.... David is singled out for attack by the famous Captain von Kellermann....
45:20
David's machine-gun jams, leaving him at the mercy of his foe.
45:34
But there was chivalry among these knights of the air....
45:53
Meanwhile Jack—separated from the rest—finds two Fokkers on his tail.
46:23
OIL
46:26
A chance shot has killed Jack's motor....his only hope is to dive earthward and trust to luck—
48:04
Help comes from a near-by British trench.
48:39
"Hello, Yank. Welcome to a very merry little war!"
48:46
"—and now how about a wee drop for the King and Uncle Sam?"
48:54
"O.K.!"
49:03
Weeks pass.
The fledgling flyers are veterans now.
49:08
While on a war-torn road behind the lines comes another—already a veteran of service.
50:00
"Don't....leave me....Mother...."
50:12
"Hey, if youse guys need kissin' I'll kiss you——wit' a gun-butt! Fall in!"
50:39
A giant Gotha, mightiest of German bombing planes, takes on its deadly load for a dash across the lines....
50:59
"Our Intelligence reports a secret concentration of the enemy at Mervale. Proceed there directly and blow it off the map!"
52:11
Escorted by two swift battle planes, the great dragon roars out to seek its prey.
52:29
Mervale—a tiny village packed with munitions and jammed with billeted regiments.
52:43
The "flu" had struck Mervale...and Mary's puddle-hopper was a daily visitor, laden with medical supplies.
53:37
"Gotha over Mervale—two thousand meters."
54:03
"ALL SET?"
54:07
"O.K.!"
54:32
In the cockpit of the Gotha.
55:35
Circling, to fix the wind allowance—
56:17
"Hey! Where's everybody?"
57:27
Swift and straight as arrows of vengeance come the two Americans....
58:08
As Jack hurls himself at the Gotha, David tackles the two battle-planes.
58:21
Pursuing one Fokker, David lays himself open to attack by the other.
58:35
Heedless of danger, David follows his prey....
59:10
The remaining German gives up the fight.
59:50
Meanwhile, Jack follows the unwieldy dragon in its lumbering, zig-zag flight....
1:00:24
Zooming upward to pour a stream of fire into the belly of the monster—
1:01:48
"Say! That's the flyin' fool they call the Shooting Star!"
1:02:06
The reward of valor.
1:02:55
"France is proud to honor you, Lieutenant—proud to recognize gallantry in its Allies, as in her own sons."
1:03:22
"You, too, Lieutenant, deserve the name of ace. May the enemy learn to fear you, as we, your brothers in arms, admire you."
1:04:12-1:05:32
Intermission
1:05:38
A decoration meant leave—and leave, with nerves strained to the breaking point by week on week of unceasing warfare in the skies, meant only one thing——
1:05:53
PARIS
1:06:18
PIÉTONS
TRAVERSÉECHAUSSÉE
1:06:43
Since America's entrance in the war, the Allies had prepared—silently, thoroughly—for the "Big Push", the greatest battle of history. Now came the final call....
1:06:57
"This means the big drive—at last! We've got to be ready. Cancel all leaves! Recall everyone—"
1:07:09
HEADQUARTERS THIRD ARMY
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES
FRANCE
To: All Squadron Commanders, Air Service.
From: The Chief of Staff, 3rd Army.
(DESTROY WHEN
READ)
1:07:31
Paris in war-time...the capital of the world's gayety crowded with soldiers of all races—on furlough from Death....trying to forget....
1:08:09
The Shooting Star! Here—in Paris!
1:08:24
MP
1:08:33
"They're rounding up all the flyers they can find. Every man on this list had better beat it back to his command or face court martial."
1:08:56
AMERICAN MILITARY POLICE
Paris
To: All Military Police:
You are instructed to notify the officers and men listed below to report to their commands at once under penalty of court martial:
1:09:07
39th Aero Squadron
Lieut. David Armstrong
Lieut. John Powell
Lieut. Walter Cameron
1:09:20
"You're right, Miss—Powell was here—Jack Powell, of the 39th. His gang had a peach of a fight with six waiters and a gendarme—"
1:09:32
"They started for the Folies Bergere—"
1:09:39
ACCACIAS
1:09:46-1:09:51
FOLIES
BERGERE
ATTRACTION
EXTRAORDINAIRE
1:10:14
Here, for men fresh from the front, whose minds carried the image of unutterable horrors—here was forgetfulness.....
1:11:43
"H'ray for bubbles!"
1:12:23
"All set?"
1:12:25
"O.K.!"
1:13:14
"Run 'way, l'il uniform. No bubbles in uniform—"
1:13:20
"Jack—Jack—don't you know me?"
1:13:51
"Can't you understand? Your leave—cancelled! You've got to go back! War!"
1:13:59
"No war—jus' bubbles!"
1:14:11-1:14:14
Isn't any war——
Isn't any war——"
1:15:12
"What's the matter....lost your man?"
1:15:24
"Tell me about it, cherie."
1:15:39
"He's just a boy. He doesn't realize—"
1:15:47
"I understand."
1:15:59
"If you would catch the fly, do you set the vinegar? No, ma cherie! But the sugar, yes!"
1:16:28
"So—put on one of the dancer's dresses—"
1:17:28
"Come wiz me—we will find ze mos' beautiful bubbles in ze worl'."
1:18:19
"Don'—don' fight! I'll go where—wherever bes' bubbles are!"
1:19:20
"She has bubbles even in 'er eyes—she wins—"
1:20:15
"Li'l Bubbles...."
1:20:19
"—I'm gonna kiss you!"
1:21:22
"All leaves cancelled——ordered to report back to the front immediately!"
1:23:09
AMERICAN MILITARY POLICE
Paris
To: All Military Police:
You are instructed to notify the officers and men listed below to report to their commands at once under penalty of court martial:
1:24:57
"And you wearing a uniform, too—daytimes!"
1:25:18
"Put your clothes on! You can't get away with this sort of thing in the A. E. F. It's back home for you, sister."
1:25:59
Each day, now, the long roads of France were filled with marching men, as preparation for the "Big Push" swung into its final stages.
1:26:16
Vanished, the fairyland of Paris....Again the stark reality of flying field——the drone of motors—and Death, riding the clouds....
1:26:28
"Study your maps, now! I'll let you know when to take off."
1:26:53
"Will you take my decoration back to my mother, Jack?"
1:27:05
"I've got a hunch I'm not coming back today."
1:28:12
"I'm serious, Jack. Go through my stuff and see that everything's O. K. before they're sent home."
1:28:39
Jack still thinks I love him. His letters say this again and again. But it is you I love, dear David, and I wonder how
1:28:52
RETURNING
According to a cable dispatch received yesterday, Miss Mary Preston, of this city, has resigned from the Women's Motor Transport Corps, and will return to the United States immediately.
1:29:16
"Gee, that's funny! Mary's not the sort to quit."
1:29:22
"Resigned doesn't always mean 'quit'. Sometimes it means—'fired'!"
1:29:31
"When these home-town girls get to Paris—"
1:29:43
"See here, Cameron—no one can talk about Mary Preston like that! You take that back—"
1:29:56
"All right! All right! I didn't know she was your girl."
1:30:14
"Are you in love with Mary, Jack?"
1:30:50
"Look here, Dave.... it's Sylvia I love.... and I believe she loves me!"
1:30:59
"Dave, I wouldn't have anything break our friendship. But—it seemed the square thing to tell you."
1:31:25
"You've often wondered what I carry for luck...well, here it is."
1:31:34
"Sylvia gave me this. She wouldn't have done that unless she—loved me."
1:31:50
To David
with all my love
Sylvia
1:32:10
"Give me the locket. I'll put it in."
1:32:29
"I—I don't want anyone—even you, Dave—to handle it."
1:32:50
"This is no time for horse-play! German balloons are up—back of Hill 124! They're breaking up our whole troop movement! Get after them."
1:33:14
"Friendship means a hell of a lot to you, doesn't it?"
1:33:46
"All set?"
1:34:35
The eyes of the enemy, spotting our troop movements....
1:35:04
"Shell!"
1:35:28
"Hey, Red—snap out of it!"
1:36:13
An enemy battle squadron closes in behind to cut off the two Americans.....
1:36:39
To protect his flying mate, David hurls himself into a desperate combat—
1:36:58
David's first wild rush disposes of one enemy—
1:37:21
Then another German falls....
1:38:00
But now comes the reckoning—the remaining two Germans have gained altitude—David is at their mercy....
1:38:17
Earthward....twisting and doubling through the clouds....
1:38:29
Meanwhile, Jack reaches the objective——two balloons in a sheltered valley.
1:40:33
Triumph!—but where was David?
1:40:58
Sick with foreboding, Jack turns his plane for home—while David, like a hare doubling from the hounds....
1:42:47
All that night—with 'zero hour' set for dawn——the Allied armies were moving stealthily to their appointed posts....
1:43:12
Behind the enemy lines...
1:43:44
Through the night—waiting—hoping—praying—
1:44:01
At dawn a lone German plane, scorning its fiery reception—
1:45:16
Spad 98 your squadron shot down in flames at Mad River. Pilot killed resisting capture.
Otto Kellerman,
Capt.
1:45:55
Daybreak... Along the battlefront a dream-like stillness... in the trenches, men crouching shoulder to shoulder, hardly daring to breathe....
1:46:08
Laying Bangalore torpedoes, to tear a way through the barbed wire which had protected them so long.
1:47:38
"I'll square things up for Dave—or I won't come back!"
1:48:00
The idling motors quicken.... Flight by flight, like eager birds of prey, the airplanes leave the ground. The big drive of the air is on!
1:49:59
Driven by a mad desire to avenge his comrade, Jack plunges across the German lines—alone!
1:50:12
A morbid fascination, half hope and half dread, draws him toward the Mad River.
1:50:58
On foot, the doughboys continue their irresistible advance.
1:52:49
German reserves, hurrying forward to meet the new thrust....
1:53:34
A German general and his aide—
1:54:17
By mid-morning, the Allied advance was general all along the front....
1:54:52
Groping blindly forward, shattered remnants of the American first wave reached the enemy's trenches.
1:55:04
The enemy counter-attack!
1:55:15
Fresh American waves renew the attack....
1:56:36
"Attaboy! Them buzzards are some good, after all!"
1:56:46
French Colonials join in the attack.
1:56:53
Near the Mad River...in the marshes, where even in peace-time, few stragglers found their way—
1:59:19
The enemy retreat becomes a rout—
2:00:47
VICTORY
2:00:59
The uproar of battle dies away. Over ground strewn with the dead, Jack heads his plane for home.
2:01:15
There before him—a lone German plane—heading straight for the American lines!
2:01:53
"Jack!"
2:02:06
Only the hated Iron Cross—only another foe to be slain without mercy—
2:02:20
"Jack—don't you know me?"
2:05:56
"He has not long to live. So young! Come, Monsieur—"
2:06:36
"I stole the plane—thought maybe I could get across the lines—"
2:06:52
"Dave—Dave! You're not badly hurt—I'll get a doctor—"
2:07:05
"If it were any use, myself would have gone. It is minutes only, Monsieur—"
2:07:13
"C'est la guerre!"
2:07:28
"Don't go, Jack! Just stay here with me—for a little while—"
2:07:40
"Oh, Dave, Dave—I was trying to get just one more Heinie for you—"
2:07:51
"Don't, Jack—oh, please don't——it wasn't your fault."
2:08:05
"You didn't shoot me, Jack—you did bring down—a Heinie ship—don't you see?"
2:08:21
"Dave, you know I didn't mean—what I said about the picture—don't you?"
2:08:31
"You—you know there is nothing in the world that means so much to me as your friendship—"
2:08:43
"I knew it——all the time——"
2:08:51
"All——set?"
2:10:39
Suddenly the clamor of war is stilled.... the iron grip is broken.... the smoke clears....
2:11:06
Jack still thinks I love him. His letters say this again and again. But it is you I love, dear David, and I wonder how
2:11:48
Home.... and a man returning, where a boy had gone away....
2:12:34
Local
Boy
Makes
Good
2:12:38
Jack
is
Back
2:16:34
"I—I wanted to hate you, John, but I can't. It wasn't your fault. It was—war!"
2:16:47
Memories....
2:17:54
"Mary—there's something I feel I ought to tell you—"
2:18:02
"One night in Paris—"
2:18:17
"There was a girl—and I forgot myself—I don't know who she was—I never want to know."
2:18:28
"—and then—"
2:18:46
"Remember—I saw the war, too, Jack! And I can't blame—anyone—for anything! What happens from now on is all that matters, isn't it, dear?"
2:19:24
"Do you know what you can do when you see a shooting star?"
2:19:37
"You can kiss the girl you love."
2:19:50
The
End
2:19:53
A
Paramount
Picture