Lilac Time
Directed by George Fitzmaurice 80 min (1928)
Gary Cooper – Capt. Philip Blythe
All of those handsome young men in their flying machines are billeted in a field next to the Widow Berthelot’s farmhouse in France. Her daughter Jeannine is curious about the young men fighting for England in World War I and their airplanes. Then one of the aviators is killed. His replacement is Captain Philip Blythe who can’t help but notice Jeannine. When he lands the first time, she is standing in the middle of his “runway.” She makes a more favorable impression when he sees her later by the lilacs. When all of the young men depart on a mission, Blythe promises to return.
Also starring Colleen Moore, Eugenie Besserer, Burr McIcintosh, and Kathryn McGuire
To enhance the viewing experience, a Boston theater put oil of lilac in the ventilation system during the showing of this film in 1929.