The Sky Pilot

When this German Count cosily prepared himself in the darkness of the Schloss private cinema to watch "The Sky Pilot", a film directed by Herr King Vidor, he thought that it was a film about Zeppelins or the adventures of the Red Baron. But nothing of that sort happens in the film; in Amerika, a very strange place, the inhabitants mean "preacher" when they talk about heavenly pilots.

On the contrary, the film depicts and shows more bizarre characteristics of that far away land when the main character of the film, a preacher, arrives at a small town, crowded with heathens who still don't hesitate to transform the saloon into a church. But it causes a tremendous fuss when he spreads God's word with fists…so, that's the Amerikan interpretation of trust in God but keep your powder dry??...

After such a shocking and strange religious practice and due that a minister of God must not behave in this way, he is expelled from town. Afterwards he and his rival, the one who "discussed" with him the sermon in the saloon, reconcile. As part of the peace, the preacher is offered a job in the ranch as a foreman. So now on the preacher has to deal with cows and other beasts, so… that's the Amerikan interpretation of the God's herds??...

Fortunately there are some similarities between Amerika and Europe depicted in the film because we can see an evil, treacherous Duke. So it seems that the aristocracy had common features in the two sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

"The Sky Pilot" it is a film that belongs to the transitional period of Herr King Vidor's career, a very important film director who will direct beautiful and moving masterpieces that will astonish future longhaired generations.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count has an appointment with Herr Manfred von Richthofen, a genuine sky pilot.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/

What a delightful actor that John Bowers was! He shines in his role as the gentle minister who finds that sermons and hymns alone cannot convert an unruly, godless populace to Christianity in the cold wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. He finds he has to lead by example. David Butler, who starts off fighting with him, but who eventually respects him, is super as the friend who encourages him. For some reason he reminded me of the goofy soldier in The Big Parade with John Gilbert. Don't know why, they really didn't look much alike.

The print of The Sky Pilot that I saw was kind of jumpy and the musical accompaniment wasn't appropriate for the action, but these two faults aside, the film itself was dramatic and moving. Colleen Moore was ok, but she's never been a favorite of mine.

This is the second John Bowers film I have seen and in both this one and Lorna Doone a year later John has scenes where he is braving rapids, trying not to drown! Once more I got the willies, since he died by self-imposed drowning in real life.

I am sure he would have made an excellent character actor in talkies if only the studios had given him half a chance. Cruel Hollywood.

The tiny western settlement of "Swan Creek" is assigned a preacher from Montreal, idealistic John Bowers (as Arthur Wellington Moore). He arrives on a dry day, with an open umbrella and a mule. Since the Godless community has no place to worship, Mr. Bowers sets up his first sermon at the local watering-hole. In the saloon, Bowers meets rowdy ranch foreman David Butler (as Bill Hendricks). The men have a wild brawl and wind up wrestling on the floor. It turns out to be classic male-bonding. Afterwards, Bowers gently wipes the blood from Mr. Hendricks' cheek and all is forgiven...

Shortly thereafter, when Hendricks cradles Bowers head after taking him to bed, you wonder what is going on between the men; director King Vidor shoots this like it's a love scene. The men look like they're about to kiss. Probably, they're just dealing with some latent issues. Both also seem attracted to pretty Colleen Moore (as Gwen). Sporting her pre-flapper Mary Pickford hair, Ms. Moore is the most fetching female on film. She suffers a mishap, but Christian love may provide a cure...

For those unfamiliar with the old titular term, or the 1968 anti-war anthem "Sky Pilot" by Eric Burdon & the Animals, "The Sky Pilot" is a minister who provides guidance for your trip to heaven. This film has a good lead with Bowers, and Mr. Vidor ramps it up with interesting direction and good-looking production values. Moore is sweet, but Butler steals the performance honors as second lead. Oddly enough, it looks like Bowers would rather be with Butler than Moore. Bowers' final scene with Moore reveals he's not at all satisfied with his partner. Just look at that man's confused and wary face...

******* The Sky Pilot (4/17/21) King Vidor ~ John Bowers, David Butler, Colleen Moore, Harry Todd

What is a Sky Pilot? That's a nickname for a preacher. John Bowers stars as a missionary to a rural area filled with rough cowboys who mock religion. He has trouble converting the area, aside from one friend and a beautiful girl (Colleen Moore) that he falls in love with.

For the most part, nothing much happens in this film. It is short, but hardly sweet. There is a lot of time spent waiting for the characters to do something. The romantic relationship is hardly developed, and the real attraction to this movie, Moore, is barely in the movie.

If you like westerns or early, somewhat primitive films, this one is for you. If you're a Moore collector, grab this one, but don't stress over it. It probably will never be a favorite.

Even at their most middling and unremarkable there's something rich and endearing about silent films in their earnestness, and about the old techniques of film-making and storytelling without sound. It's been said, often with an air of cynicism, that the era represents "simpler entertainment for a simpler time," and sometimes that does quite come across - especially when, as here, we get at least in part an expression of cultural values (e.g., introducing religion to a frontier town) that are decidedly outdated. The fact that the name of this picture refers to the protagonist and his role as a preacher ("conveying his congregation to the heavens," as it were) kind of says it all. Yet through any measure of kitsch, any comparative lack of sophistication, some rough edges, and image quality that has somewhat diminished over time, 'The Sky Pilot' remains an enjoyable, well made feature. As a work in the long career of King Vidor, as a western, or just as something good to watch, there's much to appreciate here, and all the utmost skepticism doesn't take away from the core value.

In the broad strokes the plot is fairly light, and not super noteworthy: a young preacher coming to town, finding conflict and gradual acceptance, and getting involved in other goings-on. The plot development and editing are stilted and brusque at points, shortchanging the actual story and doing the whole no favors; as a few examples among others, look to how abruptly the relationship between the protagonist and Hendricks changes, the manner in which characters are introduced, or a crucial scene involving Gwen a bit more than halfway through. Still, even for all this the tale is a worthy good time in and of itself. Between Ralph Connor's novel and Faith Green and John McDermott's adaptation for the screen there is a solid foundation in the overall saga, and in the scenes and characters. If in execution the viewing experience becomes a tad choppy and oversimplified, well, that comes with the territory every now and again, even one hundred years on. Meanwhile, though not one of Vidor's premier movies, his direction is firmly capable, and we can readily discern the ardor of the production. From beautiful filming locations, sets, and costume design, to complex stunts and effects, and even down to just the regular orchestration of every shot and scene, any self-respecting cinephile will see a great deal to admire in most every facet. If you love the medium, and the art of film-making, this is a minor treasure.

True, 'The Sky Pilot' is unlikely to change the minds of anyone who isn't already enamored of the silent era; there is just enough clunky unwieldiness in the presentation that I can understand how it won't appeal to some modern viewers. Case in point: nevermind the most hokey, laughable facets of the religious messaging, at large the dialogue as imparted through intertitles is less than great; the last reel or so lags in places, and maybe isn't the strongest portion of the runtime. Yet the cast are a small joy, certainly including John Bowers and Colleen Moore, even if the curtness of the plot development and editing mean that their commendable performances are at times rendered somewhat perfunctory. We do get sequences of grand adventure and high drama as we would anticipate of a western, and these are as excellent as most any to greet us in the genre; the protagonist may be a preacher, but strictly speaking faith isn't altogether the centerpiece, just significant flavoring. L. William O'Connell and Gus Peterson's cinematography is smart and superb, making a considerable impression in the bigger outdoors sequences where a more active, calculated eye is required; even some instances of lighting are choice. It bears repeating that the stunts and effects herein are pretty fantastic, a fine credit to all involved. All told the title may not be a revelation, nor a must-see, but if one is receptive to older cinema and has the opportunity to watch, it's very entertaining, and deserving on its own merits.

Don't go out of your way for this flick, and be very cognizant of the stylistic and narrative decisions by which it falls short (especially in retrospect). The roots are very sturdy, however, so if you do have the chance to watch, and not least if you're the type of person who loves films even just for their craftsmanship, then these are seventy-five minutes well spent.