No one was surprised in 1929 that aviation mogul Howard R. Hughes would produce a paean to World War I flying aces like Hell's Angels. Given Hughes' comparative inexperience as a moviemaker, however, everyone was taken slightly aback that the finished film was as good as it was. The very American Ben Lyon and James Hall play (respectively) Monte and Roy Rutledge, a couple of British brothers who drop out of Oxford to join the British Royal Flying Corps. Several early scenes establish Lyon and Hall's romantic rivalry over ...
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No one was surprised in 1929 that aviation mogul Howard R. Hughes would produce a paean to World War I flying aces like Hell's Angels. Given Hughes' comparative inexperience as a moviemaker, however, everyone was taken slightly aback that the finished film was as good as it was. The very American Ben Lyon and James Hall play (respectively) Monte and Roy Rutledge, a couple of British brothers who drop out of Oxford to join the British Royal Flying Corps. Several early scenes establish Lyon and Hall's romantic rivalry over two-timing socialite Helen (Jean Harlow). While flying a dangerous bombing mission over Germany, the brothers are shot down. The commandant (Lucien Prival), who'd earlier been cuckolded by one of the brothers, savors his opportunity for revenge. He offers the boys their freedom if they'll reveal the time of the next British attack; if they don't cooperate, they face unspeakable consequences. Roy, driven mad by his combat experiences, is about to tell all when he is shot and killed by Monte. The latter is himself condemned to a firing squad by the disgruntled commandant -- who, it is implied, will soon meet his own doom at the hands of the British bombers. Nobody really cares about this hoary old plot, however; Hell's Angels culls most of its strength from its crackerjack aerial sequences. The highlight is a Zeppelin raid over London, one of the most hauntingly effective sequences ever put on film. From the first ghost-like appearance of the Zeppelin breaking through the clouds, to the self-sacrificing behavior of the German crew members as they jump to their deaths rather than provide "excess weight," this is a scene that lingers in the memory far longer than all that good-of-the-service nonsense in the finale. Also worth noting is the star-making appearance of Jean Harlow. When Hell's Angels was begun as a silent film, Norwegian actress Greta Nissen played the female lead. During the switchover to sound, producer Hughes decided that her accent was at odds with her characterization, so he reshot her scenes with his latest discovery, Harlow. While she appears awkward in some of her scenes, there's no clumsiness whatsoever in her delivery of the classic line about slipping into "something more comfortable." Originally, Marshall Neilan was signed to direct the film, but became so rattled by Howard Hughes' interference that he handed the reins to Hughes himself, who was in turn given an uncredited assist by Luther Reed. Also ignored in the film's credits are the dialogue contributions by future Frankenstein director James Whale, who'd been hired as the film's English-dialect coach. Modern audiences expecting a musty museum piece are generally surprised by Hell's Angels' high entertainment content: they are also startled by the pre-code frankness of the dialogue, with phrases like "The hell with you" bandied about with reckless abandon. In recent years, archivists have restored the film's two-color Technicolor sequence, providing us with our only color glimpses of the radiant Jean Harlow. Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Add this copy of Hell's Angels [Dvd] to cart. $3.44, good condition, Sold by Goodwill Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hillsboro, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists.
Studio:
Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists
Released:
2004
MPAA Rating:
PG
Alibris ID:
17926106292
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Good. May have very light or no surface scratches. Case and cover artwork are included but may show minimal signs of wear. If applicable: Digital copy or ultraviolet codes may be expired or not included.
Add this copy of Hell's Angels [Dvd] to cart. $3.44, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hillsboro, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists.
Studio:
Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists
Released:
2004
MPAA Rating:
PG
Alibris ID:
17902798321
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Fair. May have light surface scratches. Case and cover artwork are included but their condition may vary. If applicable: Digital copy or ultraviolet codes may be expired or not included. Slipcover may not be included.
Add this copy of Hell's Angels [Dvd] to cart. $3.86, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Orange County rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Ana, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists.
Studio:
Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists
Released:
2004
MPAA Rating:
PG
Alibris ID:
16943034802
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Fair. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item. Case and cover may or may not have wear or damage. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
Add this copy of Hell's Angels [Dvd] to cart. $4.16, very good condition, Sold by Ezekial Books, LLC rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Manchester, NH, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists.
Add this copy of Howard Hughes' Hell's Angels to cart. $5.26, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Universal Studios.
Studio:
Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists
Released:
12/07/2004
Language:
English
MPAA Rating:
PG
Alibris ID:
17938659677
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Ben Lyon, James Hall, Jean Harlow, John Darrow, Lucien Prival. New. 1930 Run time: 127. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Add this copy of Howard Hughes' Hell's Angels to cart. $18.50, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Universal Studios.
Studio:
Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists
Released:
12/07/2004
Language:
English
MPAA Rating:
PG
Alibris ID:
17883034978
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Ben Lyon, James Hall, Jean Harlow, John Darrow, Lucien Prival. New. 1930 Run time: 127. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
Add this copy of Hell's Angels to cart. $20.98, good condition, Sold by The Palm Beach Bookery, ships from West Palm Beach, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Publisher:
Astor Pictures Corporation / United Artists
Published:
2004
MPAA Rating:
PG
Alibris ID:
14106909874
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Good. 025192593321 Good + Condition. Case has slight wear. DVD is in Very Good Condition. Shipped PROMPTLY in bubble wrap with Free tracking to help ensure accurate and timely delivery. We process orders 7 days a week!
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