EAGLE OF THE NIGHT

Directed by James F. Fulton

Cast:
Frank Clarke
Shirley Palmer
Earl Metcalfe - Josef Swickard
Maurice Costello - Max Hawley
Roy Wilson - Jack Richardson

An exciting aviation-thrills serial from late silent era.

1928 was the last year when silent films dominated the market, and this aviation-based action serial from Pathe was one of the studio's last. Some pieces are no longer extant (half of chapters 3&6, all of 7, 8, and 9, and the beginning of the 10th and final chapter), but the beginning and end are there as well as enough to follow the action adequately. An inventor has created a silencer/muffler for planes to silence any engine sounds, and the bad guys are out to steal the invention and put it to evil use. Frank Clarke, a real-life aviator whose other film credits seem to be all aviation-related, stars as the hero who also romances the scientist's daughter. The aviation stunts and photography are impressive as is the location shooting in Baja California. This seems to be the only directorial credit James F. "Jimmie" Fulton, most of whose credits are as an actor. Transferred from a multi tinted 35mm film print.
The surviving footage of the serial runs about 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Chapter 1 - Complete
Chapter 2 - Complete
Chapter 3 - Part 1 only
Chapter 4 - Complete
Chapter 5 - Part 2 only
Chapter 6 - Part 2 only
Chapter 7, 8, 9 - Missing
Chapter 10 - Final