[4]Unscrupulous smugglers are attempting to steal the "Magic Muffler," a device that can make an aircraft practically silent.

The smugglers led by rancher Paul Murdock (Earl Metcalfe), capture the inventor, Professor Payson (Josef Swickard), holding him hostage until they get the secrets to his invention.

His good looks won him the lead role in the flying film serial Eagle of the Night (1928) at Pathé Studios.

"[5][N 1] "In addition, Clarke insisted on writing his own scripts, calling for such suicidal stunts as landing on top of a speeding passenger train.

"[7] Principal photography on Eagle of the Night took place over Baja California with Clarke and his friend, Roy Wilson, doing all the aerial stunts.