“WINGS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 261, 25 January 1928, Page 14

“WINGS”

EIGHT THOUSAND MEN ENGAGED Five different methods of communication were used by William Wellman in directing the great battle sequence of “Wings,” Paramount’s epic of the air. In re-enacting the battle of St. Mih* j which utilised the services of more chan 8,000 men and every branch of me lern warfare, it was necessary to carry out the movements by means of radio, amplifiers, telephone, panels and semaphores. Each of the 100 airplanes used were equipped with receiving sets and regulated their movements according to instructions coming trom Wellman, who held the microphone at the top of a 100-foot parallel. Troops in the foreground trenches “carried on” by means of 10 huge loud-speakers which were placed at various points of vantage. Explosions, controlled at 72 substations throughout the battle area, were directed by telephone. The movements of tanks were taken care of by a semaphore device and as a precautionary measure for the flyers, a panel system of signals was installed. near the ground cameras. Twelve ground cameras and four in the air recorded the big scenes for the film.

The title, “Painted Ponies,” has undoubtedly aided the success of Hoot Gibson’s Universal-Jewel production. It is what the trade call a box office title, for it is provocative of curiosity, one of the most important elements in the show business. “Get them asking about it and you’ll get them in,” is a proverb of a big producer. Those who have wondered about the title “Painted Ponies” may have their curiosity satisfied now. It was suggested by the painted wooden steeds of a merry-go-round which contributes much of the action and fun.