I have been an Oscar-watcher for some time now, and have even made it a point to see every movie ever nominated for an Academy Award (yeah, still working on that one). One film that has so far eluded me is Wings, the very first Best Picture (then called "Best Picture, Production"); now I finally have a chance, as Turner Classic Movies will be airing it tomorrow as part of their "31 Days of Oscar" celebration.The war-themed silent (the only silent to win the Big Prize) stars Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers and Richard Arlen, who, according to The Celluloid Closet, share some homoerotic subtext decades before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Also, keep an eye out for a young Gary Cooper in one of his first significant roles.
Wings airs at 8:00 PM EST tomorrow night on TCM, followed by the other BP winner from the Academy's first year, Sunrise (which one "Best Picture, Unique and Artistic Production"). This film, one of the great silent dramas, stars Janet Gaynor, who won the very first Best Actress Oscar for her touching, tragic performance.
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