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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1575

The Flying Ace

192665 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs: 65:46
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Richard Edward Norman · Public domain

Synopsis

Returning war pilot Billy Stokes resumes work as a railroad detective and investigates a missing paymaster and stolen payroll. The trail leads toward another aviator, while station master's daughter Ruth becomes caught in the danger. Stokes must combine detective work with a rescue in the air.

Cast

Laurence Criner

Kathryn Boyd

Boise De Legge

Harold Platts

Lions Daniels

George Colvin

DirectorsRichard E. Norman

Historical context

Norman Studios made the film in Jacksonville with a Black cast for an audience underserved by mainstream studios. It gives its hero authority, technical skill and a romantic lead within the adventure genre.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits Additional film reference Additional film reference

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 22, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Laurence Criner — Norman Studios · Public domain
Kathryn Boyd — Norman Studios; screen capture from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Flying_Ace_(1926)_by_Richard_E._Norman.webm · Public domain

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