Thanks for the memories!

Sorry, this movie sucks

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

In 1918, flighty farm girl Colleen Moore (as Jeannine Berthelot) becomes attached to seven British fliers, who are stationed near her home, in France; and, the airborne group is just as fond of the charming Ms. Moore. Sadly, one of the pilots dies, after a typically dangerous mission; quickly, he is replaced by Gary Cooper (as Phillip Blythe). Mr. Cooper has arrived to do his "bit" for his British country, and fiancée. Although they may not acknowledge the fact, it's obviously love at first flight for Moore and Cooper. Once Moore and Cooper pledge their love, he and his men are ordered out on a suicide mission...The popularity of Moore and the aviation theme were enough to make "Lilac Time" bloom at the box office. Moore handles the comedy/drama characterization well; and, Cooper is a handsome love interest. Their overblown love story becomes too maudlin, however. Although Moore (especially) and Cooper play their romantic meeting and courtship exceedingly well; the comic set-up, and proceeding situation, makes it all quite ludicrous. The fate of the squadron, the bombing of Moore, and the Grande Finale may combine to induce feelings of nausea. ****** Lilac Time (8/3/28) George Fitzmaurice ~ Colleen Moore, Gary Cooper, Jack Stoney

British and American pilots launch attacks during World War I from a small town in France. A caring Colleen Moore is dedicated to providing moral support to these pilots. Gary Cooper replaces a downed pilot. Antagonism between Moore and Cooper precedes romance and provides a comic beginning. As romance develops, the pilots, including Cooper, are sent on a dangerous mission. A commercially available release of this film allow interested viewers to find Cooper's fate and the end result of Moore's trials and tribulations to also find his fate. This end of the silent era movie is worth the effort to ferret out for viewing.The theme song of the motion picture, "Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time," is commercially available. It was recorded by well over a hundred top artists, including Louis Armstrong, Skitch Henderson, Guy Lombardo, The London Symphony Orchestra, opera star John McCormack, Mitch Miller, The Platters, Lawrence Welk, and Paul Whiteman. Many of these recordings have been transferred to commercially available CDs. For example, a recording by the composer, Nat Shilkret, is included in the ASV CD "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes," which is available from amazon.com.

turned from flapper and comedy roles (like "Flaming Youth" and "Ella Cinders") to a great WW I romance, Lilac Time. Moore plays a French village girl who falls in love with a British flying ace (Gary Cooper). Not much happens, but it's a sweet romance and was a big hit in its day. This film also established Cooper as a star. Some OK dog fight footage helps enliven this war film, but it's the chemistry between the stars that makes it special. Good special effects for its time, and a socko ending with Moore being told Cooper has died of his wounds.... A real tear jerker but it works. Among the co-starts are Eugenie Besserer and Arthur Lake. Colleen Moore had a great face and is very expressive, allowing her to under act, a skill that made Mary Pickford and Lillian Gish tops stars.

How great can a film be? This is one of the answers to that. Sweet Colleen Moore and Gary Cooper are a perfect couple, and Lilac Time a perfect love story. Forget Titanic! Bring a handkerchief when you see this.