The Sky Pilot (Silent) (DVD)

An idealistic young minister is driven from the tiny backwoods settlement of Swan Creek by the cowpokes who are the hard drinking godless heathens that populate the remote borough. He wins the respect of ranch foreman Bill Hendricks, who gets the "sky pilot" a job as a cowpuncher. The reverend proves himself a tough and able range rider, but when he chances upon a rustling operation, his discovery threatens to get both him and and his new pal killed.

Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame for his six decade career, King Vidor won a honorary 1979 Oscar "for his incomparable achievements as a cinematic creator and innovator." His 1928 masterpiece, The Crowd, earned his first of five Academy Award nominations. Hallelujah! (1929), Our Daily Bread (1934), Stella Dallas (1937), The Citadel (1938), Duel In The Sun (1946), The Fountainhead (1949) and War And Peace (1956) are but a few of his many highly regarded works.

Actor David Butler, who turns in a capable performance as Bill Hendricks in The Sky Pilot, went on to a stellar career behind the lens, directing over 80 films. A few of the films he is remembered for include Bright Eyes (1934), Road To Morocco (1942) and Calamity Jane (1953), before going on to direct 58 episodes of the hit TV show Leave It To Beaver.

• silent