The Wright Idea
The Wright Idea

Movie spotlight

The Wright Idea

1928
Movie
70 min
English

A chipper young inventor seems to have a stroke of good luck when an eccentric millionaire gives him a yacht as a gift… but the “millionaire” is really an escapee from an asylum and the yacht is being used to smuggle illicit spirits by a gang of bootleggers. Can’t win ‘em all…

Insights

Director: Tay GarnettGenres: Comedy, Short

Plot Summary

In this silent comedy short, a group of friends attempts to build an airplane. Their ambitious project is plagued by a series of comical mishaps and misunderstandings, as they struggle with engineering, materials, and each other. Despite their best efforts and numerous setbacks, their dream of flight takes a hilariously bumpy ride.

Critical Reception

As a short silent comedy from 1928, "The Wright Idea" received immediate, albeit limited, theatrical distribution and amusement. Contemporary reviews, if any exist, would have focused on its comedic timing and the novelty of its subject matter for the era. It is remembered today as an early example of the genre and Tay Garnett's directorial work.

What Reviewers Say

  • A lighthearted and amusing silent comedy.

  • Features slapstick humor and a charmingly ambitious premise.

  • A quaint look at early aviation dreams through a comedic lens.

Google audience: Audience reception for "The Wright Idea" is not available due to its age and classification as a short silent film. However, it is generally appreciated by film historians and enthusiasts of early cinema for its comedic value and historical context.

Fun Fact

The film is notable for being an early directorial effort by Tay Garnett, who would go on to have a significant career in Hollywood, directing films like 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' and 'Bataan'.

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