The Flying Ace

1926, 65, NR

 

An African-American WWI fighter pilot (Laurence Criner) returns from France to resume a job as railroad detective.  His first duties: find a stationmaster gone missing (along with $25,000)…while romancing that man’s lovely daughter (Kathryn Boyd).  Here’s a pertinent sample of entertainment produced in the early 20th century specifically for Black audiences (and shown in segregated cinemas).  Featuring an all-Black cast, it was meant to inspire and uplift—providing a story taking place in a world without the racial barriers that existed in real life.  THE FLYING ACE was just honored with inclusion in the US National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically and aesthetically significant.”  Our pristine copy of the movie will have a lively musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis.