The Mysterious Pilot
The Mysterious Pilot | |
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![]() Chapter One poster (Note:The Howl of the Wolfis featured) | |
Directed by | Spencer Gordon Bennet |
Written by |
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Produced by | Louis Weiss |
Starring | Frank Hawks |
Cinematography | |
Edited by | Earl Turner (film editor) |
Music by | Abe Meyer (musical director/uncredited) |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 15 chapters (300 min) |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Mysterious Pilotis a 15-episode 1937Columbiamovie serialbased on the book by William Byron Mowery and starring the record-breaking aviatorFrank Hawks.[N 1]This was the second serial produced by Columbia.[2]In the serial, Hawks plays a flying"mountie".[3]
Plot
[edit]Carter Snowden (Kenneth Harlan) about to marry Jean McNain (Dorothy Sebastian), is accused of murder. When his accuser is killed, Jean flees the train she is on, and heads into the Canadian woods. Snowden sends a bodyguard to find Jean, who appeals toRCMPCaptain Jim Down (Frank Hawks) for help. With his friend "Kansas" (Rex Lease) and Indian Luke (Yakima Canutt), Jim hides Jean.
Snowden tracks down Jean and tries to lure her to his aircraft by telling her that Jim is injured and needs her. As soon as they realize what has happened, Jim and Kansas take to the air and force Snowden's aircraft down. Jean is unhurt but Snowden dies in the crash. Trying to get down to Jean, Jim's parachute gets tangled in the trees and Jean ends up rescuing him.
Chapter titles
[edit]- The Howl of the Wolf
- The Web Tangles
- Enemies of the Air
- In the Hands of the Law
- The Crack-up
- The Dark Hour
- Wings of Destiny
- Battle in the Sky
- The Great Flight
- Whirlpool of Death
- The Haunted Mill
- The Lost Trail
- The Net Tightens
- Vengeance Rides the Airways
- Retribution
Source:[4]
Cast
[edit]- Frank Hawksas Captain Jim Down
- Dorothy Sebastianas Jean McNain
- Esther Ralstonas Vivian McNain
- Rex LeaseasRCAFSergeant "Kansas" Eby
- Guy Bates Postas "Papa" Bergelot
- Kenneth Harlanas Carter Snowden
- Yakima Canuttas Indian Luke
- George Roseneras Fritz
- Clara Kimball Youngas Martha, Fritz's Wife
- Frank Lackteenas Yoroslaff, a henchman
- Harry Harveyas "Soft Shoe" Cardigan, a henchman
- Tom Londonas Kilgour, a henchman
- Bob Walkeras Boyer, a lumberjack henchman
- Ted Adamsas Carlson, a henchman
Production
[edit]Mysterious Pilotwas adapted from the novel "The Silver Hawk" by William Byron Mowery.[1][5]Frank Hawks was billed inMysterious Pilotas the "Fastest airman in the world."[1]After each episode, Hawks appeared to deliver a "flying lesson". ASikorsky S-39amphibian was featured in the serial.[6]
References
[edit]Notes
[edit]Citations
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Cline, William C. "In Search of Ammunition."In the Nick of Time.New York: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1984.ISBN0-7864-0471-X.
- Farmer, James H.Celluloid Wings: The Impact of Movies on Aviation.Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: Tab Books Inc., 1984.ISBN978-0-83062-374-7.
- Harmon, Jim and Donald F. Glut. "Real Life Heroes: Just Strangle the Lion in Your Usual Way".The Great Movie Serials: Their Sound and Fury.New York: Routledge Publishing, 1973.ISBN978-0-7130-0097-9.
- Pendo, Stephen.Aviation in the Cinema.Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985.ISBN0-8-1081-746-2.
- Weiss, Ken and Ed Goodgold.To be Continued...: A Complete Guide to Motion Picture Serials.New York: Bonanza Books, 1973.ISBN0-517-166259.
External links
[edit]- 1937 films
- American aviation films
- Northern (genre) films
- American black-and-white films
- 1930s English-language films
- Columbia Pictures film serials
- Films based on American novels
- Films directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet
- 1937 adventure films
- American adventure films
- Films about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- 1930s American films