Release date: April 30, 193690th anniversary The storyline is taken from the novel by Ouida; it must have taken the world by storm, because six other films with the same name and plot preceded this production.With a cast of luminaries: Ronald Coleman, Claudette Colbert, Rosalind Russell, Victor McLaglen, and even Nigel Bruce. With a cast of thousands, this was an early summer blockbuster.The French Foreign Legion is where men fight, often just to escape from their past, but here, they can earn redemption.The story is very mild by modern comparison; however, these characters seem to be real, and when by some miracle they do survive, they can then go home with their honor restored.
Here's a rare one. UNDER TWO FLAGSA soldier shares a good bottle of wine with the corporal.Sergeant Victor: I suppose the Colonel will never invite me to dinner, so I'll dine with him now.Soldier: I hope the Colonel won't know.Sergeant Victor: I hope the Colonel doesn't find out.At the turn of the century, the French Foreign Legion is stationed in Algeria in North Africa. Major Doyle ( Victor McLaglen ) sends his troops out to a 40 kilometer hike ( 24 miles) into the desert for discipline and experience. This doesn't set well with the café singer Cigarette ( Claudette Colbert ), because the soldiers haven't paid her father yet.Cigarette??? Are you kidding me? She is named after this 🚬?? Come on. Even The Little Rascals had better respectable character names than that. Well, moving right along...Major Doyle really has the hots for Cigarette, and she uses his affections to her advantage. Well she tries too. But worst yet, Major Doyle gets word that his new cadets were ambushed by the Arabs. So the Major and the rest of his soldiers go into the open desert to see if there are any survivors left. The Major and his men find the 17th company of the Foreign Legion. Among those survivors is corporal Victor ( Ronald Coleman ). They were ambushed too.Back at the post, Victor meets Cigarette at the cafe. After his sarcasm is introduced to Cigarette's temper, she eventually falls in love with Victor. Victor takes her for granted, and just enjoys the ride. Cigarette is quite the looker. She is a feisty, street smart, intelligent youthful hustler. But Cigarette's cherry doesn't just fall for any man. But her game meets her match when she gives her heart to the smooth talking Victor. Well it doesn't take long before Victor.....switches units. No this has nothing to do with changing sides, just changing women. Victor falls for a high society English woman Lady Veneta ( Rosalind Russell ). But he doesn't want to go back to England because of a shady past involving his brother. Victor doesn't tell Lady Veneta any of that and proceeds to court her.Meanwhile Major Doyle learns that Cigarette burns for Victor, and out of a jealous rage sends Victor on some dangerous missions. Battles that in logic, Victor has no chance in winning.Cigarette: You want entertainment?!? I'll give you entertainment!She throws two knives at Victor hitting a pilar. I haven't seen all of Claudette Colbert's movies as I don't watch stuff that is all romance. This movie has a decent combination of romance, drama and decent battle scenes. Wouldn't suprise me that this might be the only picture where Ms. Colbert speaks some French in perhaps her natrual French accent. She also sings in this story too. Just another memorable actress that had incredible natural beauty. She and Rosalind Russell are the standouts in this movie. Colbert brings the energy, and Ms. Russell has the better lines. Ronald Colman does a decent performance as the happy go lucky soldier in hiding, who understands the seriousness of the conflict against the Arabs. So will Victor eventually honor Cigarette's affections with true love? Or is he just blowing smoke in her eyes? I have to say, my backdrop of a young Claudette Colbert is some hot stuff. She looks like she is angry and means business. Wonderful actress. 🎥
Something about the French Foreign Legion in Africa (but everyone's either British or American) and they're fighting Arabs because colonialism. But it has three of my favorite people: scruffy Ronald Colman, Claudette Colbert with a French accent, and Rosalind Russell being a dainty flower. Needless to say, I'm there to the ends of the Arizona - sorry, African - desert.
