Captain Swagger

Captain Swagger is a 1928 American silent crime drama film directed by Edward H. Griffith and stars Rod La Rocque.[1] The film was produced and distributed by the Pathé Exchange company.[2] Utilizing the RCA Photophone sound-on-film sound system, the film was rereleased in the United States with talking sequences, synchronized music, and sound effects.[3]

Captain Swagger lobby card

Captain Swagger
Film poster
Directed byEdward H. Griffith
Written by
Story byLeonard Praskins
Produced byHector Turnbull
Starring
CinematographyJohn J. Mescall
Edited byHarold McLernon
Music byJosiah Zuro
Production
company
Distributed byPathé Exchange
Release date
  • October 14, 1928 (1928-10-14)
Running time
65 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Plot

In World War I daring but reckless pilot Hugh Drummond (Rod La Rocque) who is called "Captain Swagger", is stationed in France. During one fight with the infamous German ace, Baron Von Stahl (Ullrich Haupt), Hugh shoots him down but due to a sense of chivalry, lands behind enemy lines to pull Von Dictor out of his burning aircraft. Both aviators exchange weapons as a token of friendship. When a German patrol arrives, the Baron even helps Hugh escape.

When the war ends, Hugh has trouble establishing himself and after 10 years of a spendthrift life, he goes broke from living beyond his means, and turns to crime in order to make a living. In New York, on his first robbery, however, Hugh meets Sue Arnold (Sue Carol), an unemployed cabaret dancer, and gallantly escorts her to his apartment rather than robbing her wealthy escort.

Hugh and Sue become dancing partners in a cafe. Sue falls in love with Hugh, but worries that he will return to a life in crime when he meets his old nemesis Von Stahl, who really is a thief. Hugh is reformed and with Sue, the two make plans to go through life together.

Cast

Production

Principal photography on Captain Swagger began on June 4, 1928, with location shooting at Clover Airfield, Santa Monica.[4] The aircraft from Wings (1927) were used in the production. These included the Airco DH.4, SPAD S.XIII and Fokker D.VII.[5] The song:"Captain Swagger, All the Girls Adore You," was featured; words and music by Charles Weinberg and Irving Bibo.[2]

The film's sets were designed by the art director Edward C. Jewell.

Reception

Mordaunt Hall in his review in the December 24, 1928 issue of The New York Times, commented on the actors: " 'Captain Swagger' is not only exceptionally entertaining but is also well acted. There are many deft touches in various spots; none of the situations are overdone. Mr. La Rocque plays his part in amiable fashion, giving to it the right amount of humor. Miss Carol, of course, is very pretty and in the rôle of Sue Arnold is more than acceptable."[6] More recent reviews, however, by film historians Stephen Pendo and Michael Paris considered the film "pap".[7][8]

Preservation status

Captain Swagger is preserved today at the George Eastman House Motion Picture Collection and a Danish Film Institute Archive facility.[9]

See also

References
  1. Skogsberg 1987, p. 6.
  2. "Details: 'Captain Swagger'." The AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved: April 10, 2017.
  3. "Review: 'Captain Swagger'." silentera.com. Retrieved: April 10, 2017.
  4. Wynne 1987, p. 171.
  5. Orriss 2013, p. 31.
  6. Hall, Mordaunt. "Movie Review: 'Captain Swagger' please; Rod La Rocque excels in film dealing with war and night clubs." The New York Times, December 24, 1928. Retrieved: April 10, 2017.
  7. Paris 1995, p. 41.
  8. Pendo 1985, p. 10.
  9. American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: Captain Swagger, The Library of Congress. Retrieved: April 10, 2017.

Bibliography
  • Orriss, Bruce W. When Hollywood Ruled the Skies: The Aviation Film Classics of World War I. Los Angeles: Aero Associates, 2013. ISBN 978-0-692-02004-3.
  • Paris, Michael. From the Wright Brothers to Top Gun: Aviation, Nationalism, and Popular Cinema. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 1995. ISBN 978-0-7190-4074-0.
  • Pendo, Stephen. Aviation in the Cinema. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1985. ISBN 0-8-1081-746-2.
  • Skogsberg, Bertil. Wings on the Screen: A Pictorial History of Air Movies. London: Tantivy Press, 1987. ISBN 0-498-02495-4.
  • Wynne, H. Hugh. The Motion Picture Stunt Pilots and Hollywood's Classic Aviation Movies. Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Co., 1987. ISBN 0-933126-85-9.
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