1926 film
The Silent Flyer is a 1926 10-episode (chapter) American adventure film serial directed by William James Craft.[2] The film serial was sold to Universal Pictures for $75,000 with the resulting funds used in the founding of Mascot Pictures.[1]
Plot
Scientist Benjamin Darrell (Anders Randolf) has invented a silent aircraft motor of tremendous potential benefit to aeronautical and military concerns. A plot is underway to steal the invention.
Lloyd Darrell (Malcolm McGregor), a secret service agent, disguises himself as Bill Smith and covertly endeavors to prevent the theft. Together with pretty Helen Corliss (Louise Lorraine), and most importantly, Silver Streak, a clever German shepherd, the trio serve to foil any criminals.
Production
Enterprising producer Nat Levine shot the entire The Silent Flyer serial on location and on rented stages, managing to bring all 10 chapters in on a budget of 70,000 dollars. Instead of releasing his first serial on the usual "States Rights basis", Levine sold The Silent Flyer to Universal for 75,000 dollars, the profits going toward establishing Mascot Pictures, a Poverty Row film company that would continue the serial tradition into the "talkies" era.[3]
Reception
The Silent Flyer, produced independently by the enterprising Nat Levine, was a low-budget 10-chapter action serial that featured Danish-born character actor Anders Randolph. Levine also introduced a four-footed star, Silver Streak, a clever German shepherd, that was his answer to Rin Tin Tin, a consistent money-maker for Warner Bros.[3] [N 1]
Preservation status
The Silent Flyer is considered to be a lost film.[4] Only a trailer remains, resident at the UCLA Film and Television Archive.[5]
