Object Details
Distributed by
Norman Studios, American, 1920 - 1928
Subject of
Kathryn Boyd, American, 1897 - 1965
John L. Criner, American, 1898 - 1965
Boise De Legge, American
Lions Daniels, American
George Colvin, American, born 1864
Sam Jordan
R.L. Brown
Steve Reynolds, American, 1892 - 1945
Bessie Coleman, American, 1892 - 1926
Caption
In this 1926 film, black fighter pilot Captain Billy Stokes, played by Laurence Criner, returns home from World War I a hero and resumes his civilian career as a railroad detective. The role of pilot Ruth Sawtelle, played by Kathryn Boyd, is inspired by aviator Bessie Coleman. Coleman had been in talks with race film studio Norman Productions to star in a film about her life when she was killed during a flight in Jacksonville, Florida.
Description
This movie herald has an orange background and features a large square in the middle of the sheet depicting several black and white scenes from the movie: a man (Lawrence Criner) in a WWI uniform, a heart-shaped vignette of man embracing a woman in an air pilot's uniform, and a man parachuting from a burning plane and the text [Thrills! / Action! / Punch!]. Above the vignettes is the title: [The Norman Studios Presents the Super Feature Photoplay/ THE FLYING ACE/ Sensation of the Year] and below is printed cast and production information. Across the very top, in a white rectangle, is black text reading [Coming to this theatre].
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Date
1926
Object number
2013.118.245
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
fliers (printed matter)
posters
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W (image): 21 1/2 × 13 in. (54.6 × 33 cm)
H x W (sheet): 22 1/16 × 14 in. (56 × 35.6 cm)
Place used
United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
A Cinema Apart: The Larry Richards Collection of Early Black Film
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Advertisements
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Actors
Film
Race films
U.S. History, 1919-1933
World War I
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2013.118.245