Has anyone seen the Howard Hughes film Hell's Angels? The making of this film was featured prominently in
The Aviator.
Anyway, here's something I didn't know:
For the World War One based Hell’s Angels, Hughes - aged just 23 - basically assembled the world’s largest private air force - approximately ninety aircraft - at a cost of around $600,000
For the scene in which the Gotha bomber (above) was shot down, Hughes insisted that the aircraft be put into a spin - with the aircrew bailing out if necessary. Daredevil pilot Al Wilson accepted, for the sum of $10,000. A mechanic named Phil Jones volunteered to be his assistant, releasing black smoke to simulate the aircraft being hit by gunfire. Jones lost his life when the aircraft fell to earth during the filming of the scene.
Two other stunt pilots died whilst involved with the movie, including Al Johnson of the legendary 13 Black Cats. Hughes himself was injured crashing a plane (allegedly whilst trying to micro-manage his stunt pilots in the air)
Damn.
Film production crew and cast pose in front of the Sikorsky S-29, modified to resemble a German Gotha bomber, which was used in the 1930 Howard Hughes movie Hell’s Angels
Unfortunately, I remember Hell's Angels mainly for Jean Harlow's amazing presence but terrible acting as The Vamp.
I think the only Jean Harlow film I've seen is Dinner at Eight, which concludes with this classic bit between her and Marie Dressler.
Kathy, check out Bombshell. Harlow throws what may be the best tantrum ever thrown on film.
Makes me wonder what she could have accomplished if she'd lived a few years longer. She was made for screwball comedy.
I find the Harlow storyline in Dinner at Eight the best one in the film. She just about steals the movie outright, but Wallace Beery gives just as good as he gets from Harlow.
John Barrymore is a dud in the film, IMO, and the other more dramatic storylines are more melodramatic, in a cheesy way. Dressler does add some pathos as the ruined-by-the-crash former grande dame begging for money from her still-rich friend.
Also see Red Dust. Gable and Harlow are sexy and funny as hell.
Billie Burke also has a great moment in Dinner at Eight with her reaction to a problem with the aspic.
Why the HELL aren't you people talking about Zombieland which was certainly worth the 89% approval rating it got on the Tomatometer?
I burbled about it up-thread! I loved Zombieland! I want to go see it again!
'My Black Friend' headed to big screen
Lionsgate and Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films are partnering to develop the comedy "Will You Be My Black Friend?" with Chris Rock starring.
The project stems from a November GQ magazine article written by senior correspondent Devin Friedman, who began a self-conscious search for black friends on Craigslist. The white, married Manhattan journalist then pursued his quixotic quest to expand his social circle, with unexpected results.
