Air Maniacs & Other Rare Aviation Shorts (DVD)

In the early days of flight, theater audiences thrilled to the spectacle of aerial stunt flyers filmed by equally daring cameramen. Barrel rolls, tail spins and crash landings highlight these three rare, classic short films from the era when the exploits of barnstorming pilots were the talk of the town.

Air Maniacs (1933): This piece of slapstick loosely follows the reckless adventures of a hungover pilot who resents being roused from his nap by the nagging narrator, venting his anger in the air. Starring Vince Barnett, Ronnie Rondell; Directed by Nate Watt.

Flying High (1929): A curious mix of sound and silent film, Flying High features brief early appearances by Walter Brennan, Andy Devine and Robert Livingstone in a story about collegiate flying enthusiasts. Producer Carl Laemle Jr. was the godfather of Universal Studios greatest horror films. Starring George Lewis, Dorothy Gulliver; Directed by Ben Holmes.

The Skywaymen (1928): The aerial agents of the Border Patrol cross the skies of the Southwest, on the lookout for a gang of flying outlaws. Starring Reed Howes; Directed by Harry Joe Brown.

DVD also includes vintage previews from high-flying serials of the 1940s:

• Adventures of the Flying Cadets (1943)
• Junior G-Men of the Air (1942)
• Sky Raiders (1941)

• action
• adventure