The Sky Rider (1928)
A gripping silent-era adventure of greed, aerial sabotage, and family betrayal — starring the legendary Champion the Dog.
The Sky Rider - Movie Information
The Sky Rider - Plot
The disinherited nephew of an aviation magnate plots to get a share of his uncle's millions. He causes the near-death of his cousin when a bomb placed in his plane explodes in mid-air. He then hires thugs to abduct the uncle in order to force him to give over part of his fortune, but is foiled by the arrival of a cousin and police.
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The Sky Rider - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Alan James
Main Cast
- Champion the Dog
- Gareth Hughes
- Josephine Hill
- J.P. Lockney
- John Tansey
- Sheldon Lewis
- Lew Meehan
Writers
- Alan James
The Sky Rider - FAQs
What is The Sky Rider about?
The Sky Rider follows a scheming nephew who, cut out of his uncle's aviation fortune, resorts to planting a bomb on his cousin's plane and hiring thugs to kidnap the uncle. His desperate plot ultimately unravels when his cousin and the police arrive just in time to stop him.
Who are the main actors in The Sky Rider?
The cast features Champion the Dog in the role of Champion, Gareth Hughes as Dick Wilson, Josephine Hill as Alice Allan, J.P. Lockney as John Wilson, Sheldon Lewis as the villainous Doc Slade, and Lew Meehan as Mike Slaney.
What role does Champion the Dog play in The Sky Rider?
Champion the Dog — a famous canine star of the silent era — plays himself, named Champion in the film. His presence was a major draw for audiences of the time, and his involvement adds a beloved animal-hero dimension to the adventure storyline.
Is The Sky Rider a lost film?
The Sky Rider is widely considered a lost film. Like many silent-era productions, no complete surviving print is known to exist today. Its loss is part of a broader tragedy — estimates suggest that roughly 70 to 80 percent of all silent films have been lost forever.
When was The Sky Rider released?
The Sky Rider was released on June 15, 1928, in the United States. It arrived during the twilight of the silent film era, just as Hollywood was beginning its dramatic transition to sound with the introduction of talking pictures.
Who directed The Sky Rider?
The Sky Rider was directed by Alan James, who also wrote the screenplay. James was a prolific filmmaker of the silent and early sound era, known for working efficiently on low-budget action and adventure productions throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
What genre is The Sky Rider?
The Sky Rider is a Drama and Adventure film. It blends family intrigue and greed with the thrilling spectacle of early aviation, including aerial stunts and a mid-air explosion, making it a lively action-driven story typical of late silent-era entertainment.
How long is The Sky Rider?
The Sky Rider has a runtime of approximately 50 minutes. This compact length was common for many silent-era adventure films, which were often designed as efficient, fast-paced entertainments rather than the longer feature-length productions that became standard in later decades.
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