"The Flying Ace" is an interesting film, as it was made in Jacksonville, Florida using and all-black cast. It also seems like a movie serial, being divided up into parts as well as having all sorts of interesting cliffhangers like a traditional serial. What is most interesting, however, is that it's a good film...something you cannot really say about most black cinema of the 1920s through the 40s. This is NOT meant as an insult...just stating a fact. It was because the filmmakers had minimal budgets and no-name directors and actors that most of these films are pretty forgettable...but not "The Flying Ace"!
The story is about a small town where there is a robbery at the railroad station. Someone has gassed the station agent, attacked the guard and made off with the loot. And, it's all up to our brilliant hero, a railroad detective who has just returned from the war to figure out where all the loot is and who took it. But he also must, naturally, have a chase--though this one is aboard airplanes!
The airplane scenes worked BUT are pretty funny as it's pretty obvious that the planes never even leave the ground! This is actually smart directing by the economy-minded director. It's also interesting that the hero has a sidekick...a truly one-legged one who lost it in the war...a rare film reference to the cost of WWI. Overall, despite some occasional cheapo moments, the film is pretty exciting and worth seeing....especially for a silent.
By the way, I have no idea why but some of the actors seemed to have caked on the makeup--particularly the guy playing Finley. He looks almost ghost-like because the makeup is so light. Weird.
