(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 |
Rehearsals | Two 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 time | 2 hours 30 minutes with additional 15 minute intermission |
Film speed | 24 frames per second |
Film source | Library of Congress or Paramount Studios |
Rights | Paramount Studios |










































