Movie spotlight
Eagle of the Night
1928 was the last year when silent films dominated the market, and this aviation-based action serial from Pathe was one of the studio's last. Some pieces are no longer extant (half of chapters 3&6, all of 7, 8, and 9, and the beginning of the 10th and final chapter), but the beginning and end are there as well as enough to follow the action adequately. The surviving Grapevine print is beautifully restored and tinted in spots, although you can tell the print is deteriorated in some of the surviving sections. Basically, an inventor (Josef Swickard, in a role not unlike the one he later played in THE LOST CITY) has created a silencer/muffler for planes to silence any engine sounds, and the bad guys are out to steal the invention and put it to evil use.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young heiress, presumed dead, is actually alive and plotting revenge against those who wronged her family. She assumes a new identity and works to uncover a conspiracy within her own company, navigating treacherous business dealings and personal betrayals.
Critical Reception
As a silent film, 'Eagle of the Night' was a product of its time, praised for its suspenseful plot and the performance of its lead actress. Contemporary reviews highlighted its intriguing mystery elements and dramatic tension, though like many films from this era, specific critical consensus is harder to gauge definitively today.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its engaging mystery and suspense.
Florence Vidor's performance was noted as a highlight.
The film's dramatic twists kept audiences invested.
Google audience: Information not available for this silent film.
Fun Fact
This film is considered a lost film, meaning no known copies are believed to exist today, making it a significant piece of cinematic history that can only be studied through its surviving records and reviews.
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