WINGS is a 1927 American silent romantic-action war film set during the First World War produced by Lucien Hubbard, directed by William A. Wellman and released by Paramount Pictures. It stars Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and Richard Arlen. Gary Cooper appears in a small role which helped launch his career in Hollywood.
In 1917, Jack Powell and David Armstrong are rivals in the same small American town, both vying for the attentions of pretty Sylvia Lewis. When the US enters World War I, Jack and David join the Air Force to fight in France, and become pals. But it is war, and a tragedy happens between the two friends.
Acclaimed for its technical prowess and realism upon release, the film became the yardstick against which future aviation films were measured, mainly because of its realistic air-combat sequences. It went on to win the first Academy Award for Best Picture at the first annual Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award ceremony in 1929, the only silent film to do so. It also won the Academy Award for Best Engineering Effects (Roy Pomeroy).
Original score composed and performed by Jonas Nordwall on the Beverly Ruth Nelson Organ.