03/11/06 Wings

Wings (1927), directed by William A. Wellman

watched w/ Leslie; theater (Sunrise Theater, Southern Pines, NC); w/ piano accompaniment by David Drazin

This special screening proved to be a once in a lifetime event. First off, this was my first ever silent movie that I watched in a theater, and furthermore it had a wonderful piano accompaniment by renowned silent movie artist David Drazin. Also, the showing had a reception with wine & cheese (very high class for my ass), and an appearance by silent screen legend Diana Serra Cary of "Baby Peggy" (precursor to Shirley Temple) child fame. Trust me, I know how to take my lady out on a dinner & movie date! This film also is famous for being the first ever Oscar for Best Motion Picture, and seems typical of early film epic stories. I have to admit, putting the era of actual filming (1920's) into perspective with actual viewing (2000's), there are many parts of the story and acting that seem corny. Still playing more to the theatrical stage, there is plenty of overacting, heavy makeup, spastic editing, and low-budget effects. However, it is simply remarkable that the infancy of this cinema medium could produce such a beautifully realized piece of art. Many of the effective parts could play well to today's audiences. The story follows two young men, romantic rivals back home, who start a budding friendship as airmen serving in World War I in France. Clara Bow stars as the hopeful love of one of the young men, and follows his exploits by both serving in the Women's Motor Corps in the war and pining for him to return home. The director's undertaking of reenacting war scenes was exemplary, involving hundreds of extras and brave pilot stuntmen in crashing planes. Their are interesting special effects that were used in showing the planes burning in air, as well as silly ones that included the young soldier drunkenly dreaming of bubbles floating out of his champagne and other objects. The story follows the two men throughout the horrors of war, struggles of friendship, rivalries of romancing women, and ultimately borderline platonic love. There are definitely some homo-erotic situations involving these very very close friends. And one of them has a teddy bear, that's all I'm saying. Besides my digression here, this is a great classic film of the silent era. I'm glad that I've finally reached back into the Oscar history books to see this one, and at such a unique viewing opportunity.

4 out of 5 stars