The Oscars Project: Wings (1927-28) |
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| Written by Kevin Johns |
| Monday, 06 December 2010 00:00 |
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Brainchild of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer chief Louis B. Mayer, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was formed with objectives that are still debated today. Some suggest Meyer hoped to create a group of power elites in Hollywood with the sway to push back the growing influence of the labour unions. Others argue Mayer realized actors and filmmakers were easier to deal after being given awards of recognition. Regardless of the original intention, what Mayer developed was an American institution whose influence on the film industry would long outlast his own. Though much has changed about the ceremony over the decades, one element has remained untouched: the Academy Award statuette affectionately referred to as 'Oscar.' Designed by MGM chief art director Cedric Gibbons, the gold-plated naked man holding a sword plunged into a roll of film looks the same today as when Wings was recognized as the first Best Picture winner in 1929. Presented by Adolph Zukor and directed by William A. Wellman, Wings was the last silent film to win Best Picture. A two-hour and twenty minute epic about World War I fighter pilots, the film featured early widescreen technology, state-of-the art special effects, and striking aerial photography of the actual actors piloting aircraft. Much of the film's creative staff were veterans of WWI, and director William Wellman himself was a part of the Lafayette Flying Corp during the war. He would go on to direct several aviation films. Turner Classic Movies notes for the film state that "besides location sites, the War Department provided airplanes and air pilots from all over the country. Servicemen performed as extra ground soldiers and also assisted the production crew by building trenches and producing explosives." Released at a time when America was infatuated with aviation thanks to Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, the film was an instant blockbuster, running for over 60 weeks before moving to second run theatres. Wings is filled with tropes now familiar to anyone even casually familiar with war films. It has training sequences à la Full Metal Jacket, aircraft dogfights à la Top Gun, trench warfare à la any number of films about WWI. It feels surprisingly modern in its action, even if the performances remain largely the strangely-wooden and awkward approach of thespians from the silent era (i.e. lots of those stares with clenched jaws that last uncomfortably long). Soon to be star of the talkies, Gary Cooper appears in a minor role that launched his career, as well as his romantic relationship with actress Clara Bow. Wings tells the story of Jack Powell and David Armstrong, two young men -- initially rivals, then close companions -- from the same small town. They enlist, go through basic training together, and then enter the war as fighter pilots. The heavy drama and action of Jack and David's experiences are accented by comic moments featuring a supporting character with the German-American name of Schwimpf, played by El Brendel, who often finds himself getting punched out when characters questioning his patriotism mistake the removal of his shirt to proudly display his stars and stripes tattoo as preparation for a fight.
The film's most interesting sequence takse place when the Jack and Mary cross paths while both are on leave in Paris. Jack is partying hard and becomes mesmerized by bubbles appearing all over the screen - a special effect the producers were obviously pleased with given that the gag lasts much longer than necessary. After carrying a flame for him throughout the war, Mary is finally reunited with Jack, only to find he is too drunk to recognize her! She replaces her military uniform with a sexy party dress (supposedly at the request of Bow, who felt the uniform didn't show off her figure enough), but she is still unable to gain his attention; though one suspects large portions of the audience certainly perked up when Bow began to strip down. Rising to fame through the silent era, Bow was the flapper-sex symbol of the 1920s and one of Paramount's biggest stars at the time. While Wings is set during WWI, Bow's distinct bobbed hairstyle, flapper clothing, up-front sexuality, and energetic performance screams Roaring 20s. A particularly notable moment, during the Paris-leave sequence, takes place when two soldiers accidently enter a room while Mary is getting changed. The audience is treated to a brief glimpse Bow completely topless. While certainly a surprising moment, one must keep in mind that for many years Wings was considered a lost film, and it remains the only Best Picture winner without a proper DVD release. As such, at least in the print of the film that I viewed, Bow's legendary breasts appear as little more than two black and white U-shaped blurs. Wings is positioned at a fascinating place in cinematic history. As the first Best Picture winner, it is the starting point for our exploration of the academy awards, but, as the last silent film to win, it also serves as the end of an era. The confidence and mastery with which Wings was produced would soon be replaced by an awkward transition phase during which Hollywood learned to integrate sound. On that note, come back next Monday for the next instalment of the Oscars Project, in which we will revisit the 1928-29 Best Picture winner: The Broadway Melody. Oscar Firsts
First (and last) Silent Film to win Best Picture. Kevin Johns has contributed over 50 articles to (Cult)ure Magazine. He still can't believe A Beautiful Mind beat The Fellowship of the Ring for Best Picture. He lives in Ottawa with his wife and daughter. He can be reached at
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On May 16, 1929, a total of 270 people gathered in the Blossom Room of the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California, for the inaugural Academy Awards ceremony. Hosted by Douglas Fairbanks, the ceremony lasted all of fifteen minutes - a mere roll call of winners that had been announced months earlier. From these humble beginnings grew one of the world's premier awards ceremonies, now proudly entering its 83rd year.
The B-story features Clara Bow as Mary Preston, the girl next door (literally) with a crush on Jack. When he leaves for the war, she follows suit, becoming an ambulance driver in the war effort.
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