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Page 30
"WINGS"
[[Image]]
as seen by
Commander Byrd
The striking tribute accorded to "Wings" by Commander Richard E. Byrd when he told Jesse L. Lasky that the war aviation picture at the Criterion Theatre, New York City, was not only tremendously thrilling but technically perfect, from the viewpoint of a flier, is amplified by the opinions of three well-known American aviators who saw service in the World War.  They agreed that "Wings" presents a faithful reproduction of war in the clouds and praised the extremely difficult achievement of photographing war plane maneuvers.
  Donald Hudson, D. S. C., Croix de Guerre, 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, A. E. F., had this to say:
  "The War Department and the Air Corps are to be congratulated for making "Wings" possible and the Paramount Company for its excellent aerial photography.  "Wings" has undoubtedly some of the best photography of flying that has ever been taken, and it shows the danger and horror of air fighting in a most realistic and gripping way.  While there are a few faults that could be pointed out as unconvincing, the action is so real that thes faults do not destroy 
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This magazine is not press-agenting for anyone, but we cannot refrain from laudable comment on the photoplay "Wings" now at the Criterion Theatre in New York.  In our humble opinion "Wings" is a masterpiece!
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the illusion of actual combat. This was clearly demonstrated, when the man sitting next to me, who saw several months of service at the front as a pilot audibly called out 'Maneuver' as the pilot on the screen failed to do so when attacked. The crashes are apparently real crashes, and it makes your blood run cold to see them."
  Richard H. Depew, Jr., Ex-Captain U.S. Air Service, and now Vice President of the Fairchild Airplane Company, said: 
 "To those of us who were in the Air Service during the War, whether in France or on this side, 'Wings,' the new Paramount epic of wartime aviation, brings back sad memories of good comrades 'gone west' and vivid recollections of personal experiences. It is a thrilling photographic history of the Air Service in war and be it said to its credit that no attempt is made to gloss over the gruesome horror of war with the glamour surrounding its air heroes.
 "From the technical standpoint, the flying is wonderful, and the aerial motion picture photography a superb accomplishment in a most difficult field. In particular, the camera shots following down the plans spinning earthward are most impressive and very exciting. The direction of the air flights-another difficult matter-and of the battle of St. Mihiel is a triumph hitherto unapproached.
  It is the first big motion picture story of flying and it is to be hoped that the very vivid portrayal of war flying of a decade ago, with its destruction and horror, will not weaken the public confidence in the safety and practicability of modern commercial aviation-a confidence which has been so greatly strengthened by its recent great accomplishments."
  Charles F. Porter, D. S. C., Oak Lear, Croix de Guerre, 147th Aero Sq., 1st Pursuit Group, A. E. F., said:
 "Was rather skeptical about any moving picture taken of fighting planes prior to my seeing 'Wings' as
   (Continued on Page 42)