Back to Golden Days

Wings  (1927) was the first ever film to receive the Academy Award for Best Picture. Since then, it has become one of the most acclaimed and influential war dramas, noted for its technical realism and spectacular air-combat sequences. This is the story of how it came to be made.   Part I: A man and his story The concept for Wings originated from a writer trying to sell one of his stories. In September 1924, Byron Morgan approached Jesse L. Lasky, then the vice-president of Famous Players-Lasky, a component of Paramount Pictures, proposing that the studio do an aviation film. Morgan suggested an «incident and plot» focused on the failure of the American aerial effort during World War I, and the effect that the country's «aviation unpreparedness» would have in upcoming conflicts. Lasky liked Morgan's idea, and approved the project under the working title The Menace .   (from left to right) Byron Morgan (1889-1963); Jesse L. Lasky (1880-1958).   During his development...

In honour of Marlene Dietrich's 116th birthday, which was on Tuesday, this week on «Film Friday» — the last one of 2016 — I bring you one my favourite of her films so far. Directed by Josef von Sternberg, Morocco (1930) tells the story of Amy Jolly (Marlene Dietrich), a disillusioned cabaret singer who becomes attracted to a womanizing Foreign Légionnaire named Tom Brown (Gary Cooper). After one of her shows, Amy arranges a secret rendezvous with Tom in her apartment, but asks him to leave before anything serious happens. As he goes into the street, Tom meets Madame Caesar (Eve Southern), the wife of his adjunct officer (Ullrich Haupt), with whom he has been having an affair. Meanwhile, Amy changes her mind and follows Tom, interrupting his conversation with Madame Caesar, who then hires two street ruffians to attack the singer. Tom manages to seriously wound both, allowing him to flee with Amy.   Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper in publicity stills for Morocco . The following da...

This week on «Film Friday,» I am honouring Grace Kelly's 87th birthday, which is tomorrow, by telling you a little about what is arguably one of her most iconic films. This was also the picture that gave her a first glimpse at her future realm. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, To Catch a Thief (1955) concerns John Robie (Cary Grant), a former world-famous jewel thief known as «The Cat,» who now lives in the French Riviera. Although he insists he is retired, having repented for his crimes during World War II, he becomes the chief suspect when a series of robberies take place. Realizing that the only way to prove his innocence is by catching the thief himself, Robie seeks the help of his old friend, restauranteur Bertani (Charles Vanel), asking him for information about his wealthy customers. Spotted by police detectives as he is leaving the restaurant, Robie manages to escape with the help of Foussard (Jean Martinelli), one of Bertani's workers, and his flirtatious teenage daught...

For this week's «Film Friday,» I initially thought of writing about a June Allyson picture, since today is her 99th birthday. But then I realized that I have already written about quite a few of her films, so I decided to honour instead Carole Lombard's 108th birthday, which was yesterday, by telling you about one of the first films that I saw her in. This also happens to be the picture that introduced her to her future husband, Clark Gable. Directed by Wesley Ruggles, No Man of Her Own (1932) concerns Jerry «Babe» Stewart (Clark Gable), a smooth conman who swindles wealthy executives in rigged card games. When his ex-mistress, Kay Everly (Dorothy Mackaill), threatens to expose him, Babe leaves New York for the small town of Glendale. There, he becomes infatuated with the local librarian, Connie Randall (Carole Lombard), who is bored with her life and desperate to escape her stifling environment. Babe pretends to be a wealthy businessman to impress Connie, but she refuses h...