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The Flying Fool (1929 film)

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Wikipedia article




'The Flying Fool' is a 1929 aviation-themed film produced and distributed by Path Exchange as both a silent film and sound film just as Hollywood was transitioning to filming with sound.Paris 1995, p. 65.[http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/F/FlyingFool1929.html"Silent Era:'The Flying Fool'."] 'Progressive Silent Film List' (Silentera.com), 2019. Retrieved: July 3, 2019. Tay Garnett directed and William Boyd, Russell Gleason and Marie Prevost starred.[http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=9124 "Detail view: 'The Flying Fool'."] 'Afi.com', 2019. Retrieved: July 3, 2019.

Plot



After an World War I aerial battle over French lines, Bill Taylor (William Boyd) is honoured as an ace. After the war, he continues flying as a barnstormer, known as the "Flying Fool". His kid-brother, Jimmy (Russell Gleason), is one of his crew. Jimmy falls in love with a nightclub singer, Pat Riley (Marie Prevost). His older-brother worries that Jimmy may be involved with the wrong kind of girl.

Bill decides to check on Pat out and he finds she is a sweet and home-loving daughter working to provide for her mother. To his surprise, he also falls for her, and this upsets Jimmy.

Both brothers take to their aircraft to decide which of them will win Pat. After a thrilling air "battle," Bill and Jimmy land safely. Pat decides she loves Bill, and Jimmy transfers his affections to another pretty girl.

Cast



* William Boyd as Bill Taylor

* Marie Prevost as Pat Riley

* Tom O'Brien as Tom Dugan

* Russell Gleason as Jimmy Taylor

* Kate Bruce as Mrs. Riley, Pat's Mother

* Dan Wolheim as Airport Manager

* Dorothy Ward as Mae Hopper

Production



According to her journal entry for 1929, aviatrix Pancho Barnes flew in 'The Flying Fool'.Spark, Nick. [https://www.legendofpanchobarnes.com/index.php/production-journal?start=174 "Journal entry: 1929."] 'legendofpanchobarnes.com', August 12, 2015. Noted stunt pilot Frank Clarke along with his friends, Leon Nomis, Roy Wilson and Dick Rinaldi, also flew in the film.Wynne 1987, p. 133.Santoir, Christian. [http://www.aeromovies.fr/articles.php?lng=en&pg=1110#z2 "Review: 'The Flying Fool'."] 'Aeromovies', April 5, 2012. Retrieved: July 3, 2019.

The shooting locale was the Metropolitan Airport in Los Angeles where two Travel Air 4000 aircraft (one painted white with "The Flying Fool" on its fuselage) were flown.

Reception



Aviation film historian Stephen Pendo, in 'Aviation in the Cinema' (1985) noted 'The Flying Fool' was an "all dialogue" (another catch phrase for a sound film or "talkie". He also wrote, "noted cameraman Arthur Miller lensed the film."Pendo 1985, p. 10.

Aviation film historian James Farmer in 'Celluloid Wings: The Impact of Movies on Aviation' (1984) considered 'The Flying Fool', an example of a film that benefitted from "... excellent aerial sequences."Farmer 1984, p. 308.

References



Notes



Citations



Bibliography



* Farmer, James H. 'Celluloid Wings: The Impact of Movies on Aviation' (1st ed.). Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: TAB Books 1984. .

* Paris, Michael. 'From the Wright Brothers to Top Gun: Aviation, Nationalism, and Popular Cinema.' Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 1995. .

* Pendo, Stephen. 'Aviation in the Cinema'. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985. .


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