US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

Thanks to everard for this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4vW7iNAQ54

I don't think I ever saw the movie, or that scene. I know most, if not all, of the songs but don't remember Daltry flying a (very early and basic) hang glider. I am wondering how a deaf, dumb and blind person could even fly a hang glider?

Thanks for the post, Bob!

I'm with you WingSpan, I knew the music well - but the hang gliding scene escaped me. Of course I am also in the group that says "if you remember the '60's you weren't there". 70's too. Now I'll have to re-watch the movie.

wingspan33 wrote:I know most, if not all, of the songs but don't remember Daltry flying a (very early and basic) hang glider. I am wondering how a deaf, dumb and blind person could even fly a hang glider?

Well, at this point of the plot Tommy is not deaf, dumb and blind any more. He is about to become the prophet of his own cult. The hang glider scenes are meant to show that Tommy and by extension his followers too, can achieve everything he wants. I feel like freely flying in open air is a perfect fit for this narrative purpose.

KaiMartin wrote:The hang glider scenes are meant to show that Tommy and by extension his followers too, can achieve everything he wants. I feel like freely flying in open air is a perfect fit for this narrative purpose.

I agree completely. I saw that movie in high school before I took up any air sports. Seeing it again after all these years was a real treat. Thanks again to everard for the link!!

Taking another look back it seems the song Pinball Wizard played in the movie better suits competition hang gliding, with or without a vario.

Ever since I was a young boy
I've played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played them all
But I ain't seen nothing like him
In any amusement hall
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pin ball!
He stands like a statue,
Becomes part of the machine
Feeling all the bumpers
Always playing clean
He plays by intuition,
The digit counters fall
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pin ball!
He's a pin ball wizard
There has got to be a twist
A pin ball wizard,
S'got such a supple wrist
How do you think he does it? I don't know!
What makes him so good?
He ain't got no distractions
Can't hear those buzzers and bells
Don't see lights a flashin'
Plays by sense of smell
Always gets a replay
Never seen him fall
That deaf…