Our monthly series of silent films with live musical accompaniment returns with a screening of the 1926 film The Flying Ace.

The film will be introduced by African American film historian and Riverbends CEO Joseph Kennedy IV, and resident pianist and early jazz expert Tom Roberts will accompany with live music.

The screening will be presented on 35mm, with a print loaned by The Library of Congress.

This six-reel film, made by Norman Studios in Jacksonville, Florida, features Laurence Criner as the fighter ace, Captain Billy Stokes, who returns to the United States after World War I, with Kathryn Boyd, as Ruth Sawtelle, his admirer and flying pilot. Her character is based on African American aviator Bessie Coleman. It is an inspiring film that is based on real people that fought in World War I.