Wings (1927)

The 1927 silent film Wings follows Jack Powell (Charles “Buddy” Rogers) and David Armstrong (Richard Arlen), small town rivals vying for the love of local beauty queen Sylvia (Jobyna Ralston). So clouded is Jack by his rivalry with David and his infatuation with Sylvia that he doesn’t even notice that girl-next-door cutie, Mary Preston (Clara Bow), has the hots for him. But when World War I breaks out, the two dudes forget about the dames and head out to kill some bad guys as fighter pilots. Before the guys ship out, Sylvia prepares a locket with her picture in it for David, but Jack sees it first. Jack snags the locket thinking he’s the winner of Sylvia’s heart, even going so far to run his misappropriated treasure in David’s face.

Things get tragic when David’s plane is shot down, inspiring Jack to come to his buddy’s aid, ask for his forgiveness, and help his fallen friend get to the light. But before it’s lights out for Davy, Jack plants a kiss on his lips, thumbing their noses to the whole don’t-ask, don’t-tell thing.