HELL'S ANGELS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 29, 26 September 1931, Page 5

HELL'S ANGELS

MOST SPECTACULAR AIR PICTURE EVER SCREENED. EXPERT AIRMANSHIP. "Hell's Angels," the most lavish | enterpr.ise of all time, will open at | the Majestic Theatre on Octpber 5. , The spectacular ajr thriller , was produced and personally directed by Howard Hughes, president of the Caddo Company, at a cost of £800,- j 000, and took three years to com- • plete, J "Hell's Angels" is the supreme sen- ' sation of the film industry, breaking house records wherever shown. j

Filming of "Hell's Angels" began October 31, 1927, following six months of preliminary research and preparation. Shooting proceeded steadily for nearly three years, with 18 months alone devoted to aviation and Zeppelin sequences. Ben Lyon and James Hall, principal players in this stupendous drama of air-war, are supported in the feminine department by Jean Harlow, a comparatively unknown actress who appears in her first screen role in "Hell's Angels." Others who appear in the roster of players include John Darrow, Lucien Prival, Jane Winton, Eyelyn Hall, Douglas; Gilmore, Stephen Carr, Lena Malena and Wyndham Standing. Producer-Director Hughes, himself an expert licensed pilot, has established a record for all time in motion picture extravagance in the filming of his air classis. On air scenes alone he has expended nearly £400,000, and the total distances covered in the sky battles was exactly 227,000 miles. More than 20,000 extras were em-

ployed in the various mob scenes of the picture. Total cost of "Hell's Angels" approximates £800,000. The largest air fleet ever assembled, except by governments, participated in the picture. The aerial squadron comprised 87 planes, including more than 40 true war-type ships. The air fleet included German Fokkers, British T.M.'s, S.E.5's, Avors, De Havilands, Snipes, a German Gotha bomber and a Zeppelin. A total of 137 pilots, and as many mechanics, were employed during the 18 months filming of action above the clouds. The pilots included every stunt flyer and ex-war ace in America. Thirty-five cinematographers, including 26 aerial cameramen, were required to film this great picture. Eight separate loeations were maintained for the aerial sequences. They included the main flying base at Caddo Field, Van Nuys; a training school camp at Inglewood; a German field at Chatsworth; and other loca,tions at Santa Cruz, Encino, Ryan Field, San Diego, March Field, Riverside and Oakland Airport, Oakland, California. At the latter airport the "Hell's Angels" sky fleet was in action for more than four months filming mass air-battles in which 50 planes participated simultaneously.