The Skywayman

Last updated

The Skywayman
The Skywayman.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by James P. Hogan
Screenplay byJules Furthman
Story by Jules Furthman
Produced by Sol M. Wurtzel
Starring Ormer Locklear
Louise Lovely
Production
company
Distributed by Fox Film Corporation
Release date
  • September 5, 1920 (1920-09-05)
Running time
50 minutes (approximately)
CountryUnited States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

The Skywayman is a 1920 American silent action drama film directed by James P. Hogan and produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation. The film starred noted aerial stunt pilot Ormer Locklear and Louise Lovely. After having appeared in The Great Air Robbery (1919), a film that showcased his aerial talents, Locklear, considered the foremost "aviation stunt man in the world", was reluctant to return to the air show circuit. [1] During the production, Locklear and his co-pilot Milton "Skeets" Elliot died after crashing during a night scene. The Skywayman was subsequently released shortly after, capitalizing on their deaths. [2]

Contents

No footage of The Skywayman is known to exist, and the film is now considered lost.

Plot

Captain Norman Craig (Ormer Locklear) returns from the Lafayette Escadrille as a shell-shocked veteran, suffering from amnesia. Seeing him wandering around San Francisco, his girlfriend Virginia Ames (Louise Lovely), with the help of Dr. Wayne Leveridge (Sam De Grasse), devises a plan to help him restore his memory. Her family hires Craig to pursue a pair of supposed Russian thieves after the Ames jewels. The doctor, however, has plans to steal the jewels and wants Virginia for himself. An aerial chase ending with a tailspin and crash brings Craig back to his senses. He is able to thwart the doctor's schemes and finally remembers his girlfriend.

Cast

Production

Ormer Locklear performing one of his famous stunts. Ormer Locklear.jpg
Ormer Locklear performing one of his famous stunts.

After The Great Air Robbery, which was a commercial success for Universal Pictures, studio head Carl Laemmle did not take up the option for a second film starring Locklear, prompting Locklear's $25,000 lawsuit against Universal. Unwilling to go back to the air show circuit, Locklear wanted to continue his Hollywood career and in April 1920, he was signed to star in The Skywayman. [3]

Principal photography on The Skywayman began on June 11, 1920, with DeMille Field 2 in Los Angeles as the main base of operations, although scenes were also shot in and around San Francisco. [4] [N 1] Despite Locklear's public claim that new stunts "more daring ever filmed" would be involved, the production would rely heavily on models and less on actual stunt flying. [6] Two stunts, a church steeple being toppled by Locklear's aircraft and an aircraft-to-train transfer were both problematic and nearly ended in disaster. [4]

The last stunt scheduled for filming was a nighttime spin, initially to take place in daylight with cameras fitted with red filters to simulate darkness. Locklear, under a lot of pressure, with not only his family life being in upheaval but also learning that studio head William Fox was not going to extend his contract beyond one film, demanded that he be allowed to fly at night. [7] The studio relented and on August 2, 1920, publicity surrounding the stunt led to a large crowd gathering to witness the filming of the unusual stunt. [8] Large studio arc lights were set up on DeMille Field 2 to illuminate the Curtiss "Jenny", to be doused as the aircraft entered its final spin, to be turned off when the plane dropped to a certain altitude to inform Locklear about his position. The arc lights were never turned off though, [9] and to shocked spectators and film crew, Locklear and his long-time flying partner Milton "Skeets" Elliot [10] crashed heavily into the sludge pool of an oil well, never pulling out of the spin. Both occupants died instantly at the scene. [11]

With the entire film already "in the can" except for the night scene, Fox made the decision to capitalize on the crash and deaths of Locklear and Elliot, by rushing The Skywayman into production and release. [12]

Reception

With the lurid notices of The Skywayman proclaiming: "Every Inch Of Film Showing Locklear's Spectacular (And Fatal) Last Flight. His Death-Defying Feats And A Close Up Of His Spectacular Crash To Earth," the film was premiered in Los Angeles. [12] The advertising campaign that accompanied the film was very similar to that of his earlier feature film, focusing on Locklear's earlier exploits, and combining model displays, and exhibition flights across North America to coincide with the film's release. [13] Fox Film Corporation claimed that 10% of the studio profits would go to the families of Locklear and Elliot. [14]

The review in the Los Angeles Times noted: "The greatest monument that could be built to any man – the privilege of living on after all else has gone – is what 'The Skywayman' showing will do. What is gone in the flesh will live on forevermore on the screen." [14] [N 2]

In Hollywood (1980), a television series on the silent era, actresses Leatrice Joy and Viola Dana recalled Locklear and the making of The Skywayman. A tearful Dana, who was in a relationship with Locklear at the time, described his fatal aerial accident in the "Hazards of the Game" episode. [N 3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ormer Locklear</span> American aviator (1891–1920)

Ormer Leslie "Lock" Locklear was an American daredevil stunt pilot and film actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viola Dana</span> American actress (1897–1987)

Viola Dana was an American film actress who was successful during the era of silent films. She appeared in over 100 films, but was unable to make the transition to sound films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B. H. DeLay</span> American stunt pilot (1891–1923)

Beverly Homer DeLay was an American aviator who pioneered many of the popular stunts used in the early barnstorming air-shows. He soon adapted them for the movies, where he appeared with top Hollywood stars. DeLay died in a plane crash that was almost certainly caused by sabotage, but no one was ever charged in connection with the death.

<i>The Great Waldo Pepper</i> 1975 film by George Roy Hill

The Great Waldo Pepper is a 1975 American drama film directed, produced, and co-written by George Roy Hill. Set during 1926–1931, the film stars Robert Redford as a disaffected World War I veteran pilot who missed the opportunity to fly in combat, and examines his sense of postwar dislocation in 1920s America. The cast includes Margot Kidder, Bo Svenson, Edward Herrmann and Susan Sarandon. The Great Waldo Pepper depicts barnstorming during the 1920s and the accidents that led to aviation regulations by the Air Commerce Act.

Stunt flying refers to any stunts performed in an aircraft. It encompasses aerobatics, wing walking, and transferring from one airplane to another or to a moving vehicle on the ground, such as an automobile or train, and vice versa.

<i>Lilac Time</i> (film) 1928 film

Lilac Time is a 1928 American synchronized sound romantic war film directed by George Fitzmaurice and starring Colleen Moore and Gary Cooper. While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchronized musical score with sound effects using the sound-on-disc Vitaphone process. The film is about young American aviators fighting for Britain during World War I who are billeted in a field next to a farmhouse in France. The daughter who lives on the farm meets one of the new aviators who is attracted to her. As the flyers head off on a mission, the young aviator promises to return to her.

<i>Give Us Wings</i> 1940 film by Charles Lamont

Give Us Wings is a 1940 Universal comedic film starring the Dead End Kids and the Little Tough Guys. Several members of the casts of those series were also featured in "The East Side Kids" films.

<i>The Great Air Robbery</i> 1919 film by Jacques Jaccard

The Great Air Robbery is a six-reel silent 1919 American drama film directed by Jacques Jaccard and produced by Universal Pictures. The film stars Ormer Locklear, Allan Forrest and Ray Ripley. The Great Air Robbery is a film that showcases the talents of stunt pilot Locklear, considered the foremost "aviation stunt man in the world", and depicts pilots flying air mail, the first film to deal with the subject. There are no known archival holdings of the film, so it is presumably a lost film.

<i>A Hero for a Night</i> 1927 film by William James Craft

A Hero for a Night is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by William James Craft and produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, cashing in on the "Lindy craze", generated by Charles Lindbergh's famous ocean crossing flight. The film stars Glenn Tryon, Patsy Ruth Miller and Burr McIntosh.

<i>The Cloud Rider</i> 1925 film by Bruce M. Mitchell

The Cloud Rider is a 1925 American silent action adventure aviation film directed by Bruce M. Mitchell and starring Al Wilson and Virginia Lee Corbin. It was distributed by Film Booking Offices of America.The Cloud Rider was one of a series of films that showcased the exploits of the stunt pilots in Hollywood.

<i>The Phantom Flyer</i> 1928 film

The Phantom Flyer is a 1928 American silent Western and aviation film directed by Bruce M. Mitchell and starring Al Wilson, Lillian Gilmore and Buck Connors. The film was produced and distributed by the Universal Pictures. The Phantom Flyer was one of a series of films that showcased the exploits of the stunt pilots in Hollywood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Clarke (pilot)</span> Hollywood stunt pilot, actor, and military officer

Frank Clarke was a Hollywood stunt pilot, actor, and military officer. His most prominent role was as Leutnant von Bruen in the 1930 production Hell's Angels, but he flew for the camera and performed stunts in more than a dozen films in the 1930s and 1940s. Clarke was killed in an aircraft crash near Isabella, California, in 1948.

<i>The Flying Marine</i> 1929 film

The Flying Marine is a 1929 American sound part-talkie action film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Ben Lyon, Shirley Mason and Jason Robards Sr. In addition to sequences with audible dialogue or talking sequences, the film features a synchronized musical score and sound effects along with English intertitles. The soundtrack was recorded using the Western Electric sound-on-film system.

<i>Flying Romeos</i> 1928 film

Flying Romeos is a 1928 American comedy adventure directed by Mervyn LeRoy and written by John McDermott, Sidney Lazarus, Gene Towne and John W. Conway. The film stars the comedy team of Charles Murray and George Sidney, stars of Universal's popular "The Cohens and Kellys" comedies, moonlighting at First National Pictures. Other sidekicks included Fritzi Ridgeway, Lester Bernard, Duke Martin, James Bradbury Jr. and Belle Mitchell. Flying Romeos was released on February 26, 1928, by First National Pictures, typically a B movie studio.

<i>The Flying Mail</i> 1926 film

The Flying Mail is a 1926 American silent action film directed by Noel M. Smith. The film stars Al Wilson, Joseph W. Girard and Kathleen Myers. The Flying Mail was one of a series of films that showcased the exploits of the air mail service.

<i>Flying Cadets</i> 1941 film directed by Erle C. Kenton

Flying Cadets is a 1941 American adventure film directed by Erle C. Kenton and written by George Waggner, Roy Chanslor and Stanley Rubin. The film stars William Gargan, Edmund Lowe, Peggy Moran, Frank Albertson, Frankie Thomas and Riley Hill. Flying Cadets was released on October 24, 1941, by Universal Pictures.

The Sky Raider is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by T. Hayes Hunter and starring Charles Nungesser, Jacqueline Logan and Gladys Walton. With the interest in the aviators of World War I, producer Gilbert E. Gable and Arcadia Productions, were able to showcase the talents of Nungesser, a genuine hero, who had 43 aerial victories, as the third-highest French ace. The Sky Raider was based on the short story, "The Great Air Mail Robbery" by Jack Lait.

<i>The Air Hawk</i> 1923 film

The Air Hawk is a 1924 American silent action adventure film directed by Bruce M. Mitchell and starring real life aviator Al Wilson. The aviation film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures.

<i>Three Miles Up</i> 1927 film

Three Miles Up is a 1927 American silent action film directed by Bruce M. Mitchell. The film stars Al Wilson, William Malan and Ethlyne Clair. Three Miles Up was one of a series of films that showcased the exploits of the stunt pilots in Hollywood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercury Aviation Company</span> Former Aviation Company in California, United States

Mercury Aviation Company was one of the first commercial airline services founded in 1919 by Cecil B. DeMille. DeMille, Hollywood American film director and producer, was one of the first to see the aircraft's potential in commercial airline service. At first Mercury Aviation flew World War I surplus Curtiss JN-4 Jenny for sightseeing and charter flights from DeMille Field No. 1 and then later purchased passenger planes. DeMille restored a World War I plane in 1917. Mercury Aviation Company did not make a profit and closed in 1922 after two years of operation. Al Wilson was DeMille's flight instructor and became the manager of the company for a short time.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Producer Cecil B. DeMille owned two airfields engaged in commercial aviation, in Los Angeles, California. [5]
  2. ↑ Ironically, The Skywayman is now considered a lost film; Locklear's true legacy remains as one of the first to bring aviation to the silver screen. [14]
  3. ↑ Although married, Locklear had been dating Viola Dana, and on the night before his death, in a premonition, gave her some of his personal effects. [7]

Citations

  1. ↑ Farmer 1984, pp. 10, 16.
  2. ↑ Pendo 1985, pp. 5–6.
  3. ↑ Farmer 1984, p. 20.
  4. 1 2 Pendo 1985, p. 5.
  5. ↑ Wynne 1987, p. 10.
  6. ↑ Farmer 1984, pp. 20–21.
  7. 1 2 Farmer 1984, p. 23.
  8. ↑ Pendo 1985, p. 6.
  9. ↑ "Hollywood", Ep. 5 - "Hazards of the Game"
  10. ↑ findagrave.com; Milton Elliott
  11. ↑ Wynne 1987, p. 24.
  12. 1 2 Paris 1995, p. 56.
  13. ↑ Pendo 1984, pp. 6–7.
  14. 1 2 3 Farmer 1984, p. 24.

Bibliography

  • Farmer, James H. Celluloid Wings: The Impact of Movies on Aviation. Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: Tab Books Inc., 1984. ISBN   978-0-83062-374-7.
  • Paris, Michael. From the Wright Brothers to Top Gun: Aviation, Nationalism, and Popular Cinema. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 1995. ISBN   978-0-7190-4074-0.
  • Pendo, Stephen. Aviation in the Cinema. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985. ISBN   0-8-1081-746-2.
  • Wynne, H. Hugh. The Motion Picture Stunt Pilots and Hollywood's Classic Aviation Movies. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1987. ISBN   0-933126-85-9.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.