| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Gary Cooper | ... | ||
| Ray Milland | ... | ||
| Robert Preston | ... | ||
| Brian Donlevy | ... | ||
| Susan Hayward | ... | ||
| J. Carrol Naish | ... | ||
| Albert Dekker | ... | ||
| Broderick Crawford | ... | ||
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Charles Barton | ... | |
| James Stephenson | ... |
Major Henri de Beaujolais
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Heather Thatcher | ... | |
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James Burke | ... |
Lieutenant Dufour
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G.P. Huntley | ... |
Augustus Brandon
(as George P. Huntley)
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Harold Huber | ... |
Voisin
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| Donald O'Connor | ... | ||
Beau, John, and Digby Geste are three inseparable, adventurous brothers who haven been adopted into the wealthy household of Lady Brandon. When money in the uppercrust household grows tight, Lady Brandon is forced to sell her most treasured jewel the mighty "Blue Water" sapphire. The household gets it out for one final look, the lights go out and it vanishes stolen by one of the brothers, no doubt. That night, Beau, Digby, and John each "confess" and slip out, John leaving behind Isabel, whom he loves. They all join the Foreign Legion, and Beau and Digby are split from John and put under the command of the ruthless and sadistic Sergeant Markoff. Things begin to get hairy as the rest of the Legionaires plot a mutiny against Markoff, in the midst of an attack by Arab hordes. Written by Sam Hayes <gshayes@mail.gwi.net>
I know this, along with Sherlock Holmes, is one of the most filmed stories ever, but the 1939 version must stand out as the best. The mood and atmosphere of the desert is captured brilliantly, the photography is excellent as is the cast. Gary Cooper fits the role of Beau exactly as one would have imagined him, while the brothers played by Ray Milland and Robert Preston are spot on. Of course Brian Donlevy was at his best in this film as the vicious Sergeant, and it is one of the few times when I have thought he acted well. Susan Hayward's role was minor, but of course she was a virtual unknown at that time. It was good to see Donald O'Connor as a young Beau, as well as stalwarts like Albert Dekker and J. Carrol Naish. The opening scene is quite remarkable even by todays standards.