Two young men, one rich, one middle class, both in love with the same woman, become US Air Corps fighter pilots and, eventually, heroic flying aces during World War I. Devoted best friends, their mutual love of the girl eventually threatens their bond. Meanwhile, a hometown girl who's the lovestruck lifelong next door neighbor of one of them pines away.
Practical Effects
Real dogfights filmed in the actual sky — no rear projection nonsense.
Cinematography
The 'butterfly' tracking shot through Parisian café tables.
Direction
Wellman, a WWI pilot himself, demanded authentic aerial warfare.
Director
William A. Wellman
Clara Bow
Mary Preston
Charles 'Buddy' Rogers
Jack Powell
Richard Arlen
David Armstrong
Jobyna Ralston
Sylvia Lewis
El Brendel
Herman Schwimpf
Richard Tucker
Air Commander
Gary Cooper
Cadet White
Gunboat Smith
The Sergeant
Henry B. Walthall
Mr. Armstrong
Roscoe Karns
Lieutenant Cameron
Julia Swayne Gordon
Mrs. Armstrong
Arlette Marchal
Celeste
Nigel De Brulier
Peasant (uncredited)
Hedda Hopper
Mrs. Powell (uncredited)
George Irving
Mr. Powell (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Clara Bow's 'It Girl' status got her top billing despite limited screen time — studio execs knew what sold tickets.
This won the first-ever Best Picture Oscar (technically 'Outstanding Picture') and remains the only silent film to do so.
US
