2 early Oscar Winners: Wings/Broadway Melody of 1929

Cafe Society
1

**Wings **, the first best picture Oscar winner isn’t available on DVD. I’m almost certain I recorded this on VHS at one time from either AMC or maybe TCM. Unfortunately, I don’t remember anything at all about the movie. Is there a reason the film hasn’t been released on dvd? Besides historical significance, is there any reason to watch it again in the 21st century.

I did rent Broadway Melody of 1929, which I will watch tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect except that it seems to be an early musical made in the very early sound picture era. I’m not really expecting much, but I always like to watch some past Oscar winners during this time of year.

2

I haven’t seen it, but my wife did in a theater with an orchestral accompaniment, and she said it was great. So, that’s one vote for.

3

I saw it in a theater with live organ accompaniment a few years ago. The stunt flying is a good reason to see it today. Also a small role for a young Gary Cooper, and a surprising (to me) all-male kiss.

4

I got a copy on eBay a few years ago. Doing a search on wings dvd 1927, I see a couple different cover designs. Mine is the first one that comes up on the search.

5

I know it came out fairly early on VHS because I remember buying it as a Christmas gift for my father. With studios releasing films on DVD, who knows what logic they use. Sometimes they hold things back so they have something to release in the future. They could also figure the audience for such a film has largely died off.

6

FYI, Wings (noteworthy for its aerial sequences plus an early role for Gary Cooper) is playing this Sunday on TCM.

7

The dancing girls in Broadway Melody make me feel a lot better about my thighs.

8

There’s an early pre-code gay character in Broadway Melody.

Other than that, I got nothin’.

9

Thank you, Archive Guy - I’ve been waiting for this forever. (Every time I do a DVR search for ‘Wings’, I get page after page of the TV sitcom).
mmm