THE MAN AND HIS WINGS. William A Wellman and the Making of the First Best Picture. Foreword by Robert Redford. Signed.
Westport: Praeger, (2006). First edition. Hardcover. This copy inscribed by William Jr to a familly member on the half-title page. "Wild Bill" Wellman was not Paramount Pictures' first choice to direct the World War 1 epic "Wings", but as a former aviator and war hero, he was the right choice, even though for months he waged his own war with studio executives. The film, starring Clara Bow, broke box office records and earned its studio the first Academy Award for Best Picture. Considered by many to be the last great film of the silent era, 'Wings' had a major influence of many directors far into the future. Augmented with personal correspondence from Wellman's own World War 1 tour of duty as a fighter pilot, on-set photographs from Wings and other classic Hollywood films, and anecdotes from the back lots of the early studio system, this unique work traces the way in which the first Best Picture's director used his own war experience to bring his epic to the screen. Illustrated from photographs. A fine copy in a near fine jacket (corner crease to front flap). Item #14127
ISBN: 0275985415
Price: $250.00