''Flyin' Thru'' (aka ''Flying Through'') is a 1925 American silent Western and aviation film directed by

Bruce M. Mitchell Bruce M. Mitchell (November 16, 1883 – September 26, 1952) was an American film director and writer active during the silent film era from 1914 to 1934. With the advent of sound films in the 1930s, Mitchell abandoned directing and became an a ...

and starring

Al Wilson Aldra Kauwa Wilson (born June 21, 1977) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and ...

, Elinor Fair, and

George B. French George B. French (April 14, 1883 – June 9, 1961) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 90 films between the mid-1910s and early 1940s. Selected filmography * '' Wanted: A Leading Lady'' (1915) * ''Tarzan of the Apes'' (191 ...

. The film was written and produced by Al Wilson. ''Flyin' Thru'' was one of a series of films that showcased the exploits of the stunt pilots in

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood, ...

."Data: 'Flyin' Thru'."
''silentera.com'', 2019. Retrieved: June 21, 2019.

Plot

Aviator Lt. Al Wilson returns home from World War I combat duty in France to find his father, a cotton farmer, in jail for the murder of neighbour Jud Blair (

). This was a crime actually committed by dancehall proprietor Melvin Parker ( Clarence Burton). Al becomes partners with an ex-sergeant he knew in France, and they buy an aircraft with which they go barnstorming around the country, all the while looking for clues to reveal the real murderer. At a bullfight across the border, Sybil (

Fontaine La Rue Matilda Fernández, stage name Fontaine La Rue (July 18, 1890 in Hermosillo, Mexico – September 13, 1964) was an American silent film actress appearing in films from 1918 to 1929. Her career ended with the advent of talkies. She was one of s ...

), Parker's dancehall sweetheart, becomes infatuated with Al and betrays Parker. Parker flees in an automobile, but Al flies after him, leaps from his aircraft into the speeding automobile, and overcomes Parker. His father is set free, and Al weds Ann ( Elinor Fair), Blair's daughter, in an aircraft far above the clouds.

Cast

as Lt. Wilson * Elinor Fair as Anne Blair *

as Judson Blair (Credited as George French) * James McElhern as Jim Willis * Clarence Burton as Melvin Parker *

as Sybil * Garry O'Dell as Bill Goofus * Zella Ingraham (uncredited)

Production

was not only the star of ''Flyin' Thru'' but he also wrote and produced as well as flying as a "stunt pilot" in the film. After Wilson became a flying instructor and a short period as manager of the

Mercury Aviation Company 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 servi ...

, founded by one of his students, Cecil B. DeMille, Wilson became more and more skilled in performing stunts, including wing-walking, and left the company to become a professional stunt pilot, specializing in

aviation films. Wilson worked together with stuntmen like Frank Tomick, Frank Clarke and

Wally Timm Wally Timm (August 8, 1896 – April 29, 1978) was an American aircraft designer, pilot and manufacturer. Early life Wally Timm was born in Lakefield, Minnesota, and with his family moved to Windom, Minnesota. He worked closely alongside his brot ...

and also worked independently for film companies. After numerous appearances in stunt roles, he started his career as an actor in 1923 with the serial '' The Eagle's Talons''.Later in his film career, Wilson worked exclusively with Universal Pictures.Wynne 1987, pp. 5–17. Wilson produced his own movies until 1927, when he went back to work with Universal.

Reception

Aviation film historian Stephen Pendo, in ''Aviation in the Cinema'' (1985) said ''Flyin' Thru'' was only one of a long list of aviation films that showcased Wilson's talents. He alternately wrote, acted and flew in a career that "spanned more than 10 years, and he acted in more films than any other professional pilot."Pendo 1985, p. 7.

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

* Pendo, Stephen. ''Aviation in the Cinema''. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985. . * Wynne, H. Hugh. ''The Motion Picture Stunt Pilots and Hollywood's Classic Aviation Movies''. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1987. .

External links

* * * {{Allmovie title 1925 films Universal Pictures films American aviation films 1925 Western (genre) films American black-and-white films Silent American Western (genre) films Films directed by Bruce M. Mitchell 1920s American films 1920s English-language films English-language Western (genre) films