Lilac Time (1928)

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Director:

George Fitzmaurice

Writers:

Jane Cowl (play)
Guy Fowler (book)

Release Date:

18 October 1928 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | War

Tagline:

SEE LIFE at its most magnificent moments---in the most magnificent spectacle the screen has ever given you!

Plot:

All of those handsome young men in their flying machines are billeted in a field next to the Widow Berthelot's farmhouse in France...

Plot Keywords:

WWI | Based On Play | Based On Book

Cast

Colleen Moore	...	Jeannine Berthelot
Gary Cooper	...	Capt. Philip Blythe
Burr McIntosh	...	Gen. Blythe
George Cooper	...	Mechanic's Helper
Cleve Moore	...	Capt. Russell (flight commander)
Kathryn McGuire	...	Lady Iris Rankin
Eugenie Besserer	...	Madame Berthelot
Emile Chautard	...	The Mayor
Jack Stoney	...	The Kid
Edward Dillon	...	Mike the Mechanic
Dick Grace	...	Aviator
Stuart Knox	...	Aviator
Harlan Hilton	...	Aviator
Richard Jarvis	...	Aviator
Jack Ponder	...	Aviator

Also Known As:

Love Never Dies

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (musical score and sound effects)

Company:

First National Pictures

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "Lilac Time" by Jane Cowl and Jane Murfin opened at the Theater Republic on February 6, 1917 and ran for 176 performances.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Hollywood" (1980)

Soundtrack:

Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time

Love at First Flight

In 1918, flighty farm girl Colleen Moore (as Jeannine Berthelot) becomes attached to seven British fliers, who are stationed near her home, in France; and, the airborne group is just as fond of the charming Ms. Moore. Sadly, one of the pilots dies, after a typically dangerous mission; quickly, he is replaced by Gary Cooper (as Phillip Blythe). Mr. Cooper has arrived to do his "bit" for his British country, and fiancée. Although they may not acknowledge the fact, it's obviously love at first flight for Moore and Cooper. Once Moore and Cooper pledge their love, he and his men are ordered out on a suicide mission...

The popularity of Moore and the aviation theme were enough to make "Lilac Time" bloom at the box office. Moore handles the comedy/drama characterization well; and, Cooper is a handsome love interest. Their overblown love story becomes too maudlin, however. Although Moore (especially) and Cooper play their romantic meeting and courtship exceedingly well; the comic set-up, and proceeding situation, makes it all quite ludicrous. The fate of the squadron, the bombing of Moore, and the Grande Finale may combine to induce feelings of nausea.

****** Lilac Time (8/3/28) George Fitzmaurice ~ Colleen Moore, Gary Cooper, Jack Stoney