Hell's Angels
Director: Howard Hughes, Edmund Goulding and James Whale
Year Released: 1930
Rating: 2.5
Big-budget behemoth (back in the day) has two brothers fighting against each other (mostly over the free-spirited Jean Harlow, as sexually carnivorous a gem as the screen's ever had) and the Krauts during World War I. Hughes wasn't much of an artist - exactly who directed what is unclear - although his flight scenes are stunning - it's obvious he cared more about capturing the majesty of the planes in the air than the acting on the ground or smooth editing. Particularly humorous is Ben Lyon's death scene, which is so drawn out and dramatic it would be unacceptable for a local theater group, but Hughes probably didn't notice and/or care.
