The Flying Ace (1926) Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: The Flying Ace
Year: 1926
Director: Richard E. Norman
Country: US
Language: N/A

The Flying Ace is the only complete surviving feature of the Norman Film Manufacturing Company, a Florida-based independent studio that specialized in, what the public called, "race films". Richard E. Norman was the head of this company. He was a white southerner who did not seek to include the sort of insulting, dangerous, condescending stereotypes that plagued D.W. Griffith's features. Black audiences found his pictures a refreshing departure from the 1920's norm. 

A veteran World War I fighter pilot returns home a war hero and immediately regains his former job as a railroad company detective. His first case: recover a stolen satchel filled with $25,000 of company payroll, locate a missing employee, and capture a gang of railroad thieves.

It's quite remarkable to see a 20's silent give such humanity to African Americans. At the time, the mostly Caucasian public would flock to pro-confederacy flicks like Buster Keaton's The General. Black people in film were usually portrayed as infants, fools, or monsters of terror. The story of The Flying Ace can be viewed as existing in an alternate 1920s, one that contains no white characters, no racism and absolutely no content that would have been considered political. Richard E. Norman chose to avoid making the story a political statement, instead letting his brave, bold African American characters (literally) speak for themselves. 

Costume, cinematography and set design are all great for a low budget film of the silent era. The writing does a modest job at telling the story and highlighting each character. Kathryn Boyd is a wonderful addition to the cast. She's a charming heroine who captures the screen with her body language. I'd say the only problem with this picture is the excessive use of title cards. There is far too much of them, with far too much information. I'd rather they have shown an extended scene rather than describe it in a title card. 

Unfortunately, because of it's low budget, there's no flying in The Flying Ace. However, despite this setback, the picture is remarkably entertaining. Even if this had no historical importance I would still give it a pretty high rating. Richard E. Norman's only surviving picture is one hell of a ride.