Wings

(Wellman, 1927) Music composed and compiled by J. S. Zamecnik.

Wings was the first picture to win an Academy Award. A six-handkerchief film (out of a possible six), it is about the friendship between two American flyers in World War I France. Starring Buddy Rogers and Clara Bow (the “IT” girl), it contains a number of hair-raising aerial and ground battle sequences as well as a long scene in the Folies bergere in Paris. An electrifying cameo appearance by the young Gary Cooper demonstrates why he became so famous. The music consists of a number of authentic 1920’s style dance band arrangements, as well as French and American pop songs from the era, and a mixture of classical symphonic, band, and operatic music.

Performing forces
Minimum
13 players (2 violins, cello, bass, flute/piccolo, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, 2 sax, percussion/tympani, piano, synthesizer)
Performing forces
Maximum
43 players (strings 7,7,5,5,3), flute/piccolo, oboe, 2 clarinets, bassoon, alto sax tenor sax, 2 trumpets, 2 Fr. horns, trombone, percussion, tympani, piano, sound effects
RehearsalsTwo 2 ½ hour rehearsals
One 3 hour 10 minute tech rehearsal
One 3 hour 10 minute dress rehearsal not later than 10 am on performance day With 15 minute intermission
Performance time2 hours 30 minutes with additional 15 minute intermission
Film speed24 frames per second
Film sourceLibrary of Congress or Paramount Studios
RightsParamount Studios