The Lone Eagle

The Lone Eagle is a 1927 American silent melodrama directed by Emory Johnson, based on the story by Emilie Johnson, and starring Raymond Keane, Barbara Kent and Nigel Barrie.[1] It was released by Universal Pictures on September 18, 1927.[2][3]

The Lone Eagle
Directed byEmory Johnson
Produced byCarl Laemmle
Written byHoward Blanchard (story)
Emilie Johnson (scenario)
John B. Clymer (scenario)
StarringRaymond Keane
Barbara Kent
Nigel Barrie
CinematographyArthur L. Todd
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • August 18, 1927 (1927-08-18)
Running time
6 reels, 60 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent
Tom Reed English intertitles

Plot

During World War I, American pilot Lieutenant William (Billy) Holmes (Raymond Keane) accepts an assignment with the Royal Flying Corps. The unit location is on the Western Front and has seen plenty of action. During Billy’s first air battle, he is accused of cowardice.

He meets an attractive French woman named Mimi (Barbara Kent). They start to fall in love, but the cowardice accusation continues to dog Billy. Mimi stirs Billy’s emotions, and he becomes determined to prove his mettle in battle.

The unit receives its next flying mission. The group takes to the sky and encounters a squadron of German aircraft. American Ace Red McGibbons (Donald Stuart) is one of Billy’s best friends. During the aerial battle, Red manages to shoot down a German plane. During the dogfight Red is also killed.

The pilot of the downed German aircraft turns out to be the brother of the leader of the German squadron. Lebrun (Cuyler Supplee), the squadron leader, is the top German ace of the squadron. He determines to avenge his brother’s death. He challenges the Royal Flying Corps to an aerial gunfight.

Still thinking of his best friend, Billy accepts the challenge from LeBrun. Mimi tries to dissuade him but fails. He jumps in the cockpit of his Sopwith Camel, takes off in pursuit of Lebrun. An epic air duel breaks out, and Lebrun shoots down Billy's aircraft. Billy survives, then commandeers another aircraft from his friend Sven Linder (Jack Pennick). He returns to the air and shoots the German ace down.

Billy is a hero and soon the Allies and the Germans sign the Armistice. With the war over, Billy returns to the United States along with his new bride – Mimi.

Cast
  • Raymond Keane as Lieutenant William Holmes
  • Barbara Kent as Mimi
  • Nigel Barrie as Captain Richardson
  • Jack Pennickas Sven Linder
  • Donald Stuart as Red McGibbons
  • Cuyler Supplee as Lebrun
  • Frank Camphill as Lieutenant at Desk
  • Marcella Daly as Nannette
  • Eugene Pouyet as Innkeeper
  • Wilson Benge as Truck driver
  • Brent Overstreet| as Aviator
  • Egbert Cook as Aviator
  • Oskar Marion as Captain W.v.Buehl

Production

The credits of The Lone Eagle claim that Emilie Johnson only “assisted” in the screenwriting.[4]

Principal photography took place on location at a small airport near San Diego, California.[5][N 1]

Reception

Aviation film historian James Farmer in Celluloid Wings: The Impact of Movies on Aviation (1984) noted, despite the film's tagline: "Greatest of all airplane stories taken from the great war", The Lone Eagle was "a cheaply produced World War I air drama."[7]

Preservation status

No known copies of The Lone Eagle have survived.[8]

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References

Notes
  1. The title of The Lone Eagle is confusing, maybe even misleading, due to Charles Lindbergh having the nickname "The Lone Eagle". Since this film was not connected with Lindbergh, the title could be deceptive.[6]

Citations
  1. "Overview: 'The Lone Eagle'." tcm.com, 2019. Retrieved: July 7, 2019.
  2. "Details: 'The Lone Eagle'." catalog.afi.com, 2019. Retrieved: July 7, 2019.
  3. Munden 1997, p. 812.
  4. "Review: 'The Lone Eagle'." allmovie.com, 2019. Retrieved: July 7, 2019.
  5. Wynne 1987, p. 62.
  6. Stoff 2014, p. 213.
  7. Farmer 1984, p. 318.
  8. "Library: 'The Lone Eagle'." The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog, 2019. Retrieved: July 7, 2019.

Bibliography
  • Farmer, James H. Celluloid Wings: The Impact of Movies on Aviation (1st ed.). Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: TAB Books 1984. ISBN 978-0-83062-374-7.
  • Munden, Kenneth White. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Part 1. Berkeley, California: University of California Press, 1997. ISBN 978-0-83520-440-8.
  • Stoff, Joshua. Charles A. Lindbergh: The Life of the 'Lone Eagle' in Photographs. North Chelmsford, Chelmsford, Massachusetts: Courier Corporation, 2014. ISBN 978-0-486-15397-1.
  • Wynne, H. Hugh. The Motion Picture Stunt Pilots and Hollywood's Classic Aviation Movies. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1987. ISBN 978-0-93312-685-5.
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