CRIMSON ROMANCE (1934) Ben Lyon, Sari Maritza & Erich Von Stroheim | Action, Drama, War | COLORIZED

Crimson Romance is a 1934 American drama film directed by David Howard and written by Milton Krims and Doris Schroeder. The film stars Ben Lyon, Sari Maritza, Erich von Stroheim, James Bush, William Bakewell and Hardie Albright. The low-budget project utilized footage from Hell's Angels (1930) and was released on October 12, 1934, by Mascot Pictures.

SYNOPSIS
After Fred von Bergen, a German immigrant in America, is forced from his job by anti-German hysteria before the Great War, he and his friend Bob Wilson leave America and join the German air force.

In 1916, childhood best friends, Bob Wilson (Ben Lyon) and Fred von Bergen (James Bush), are test pilots working for an American company that builds bombers for the European allies. Since he is German-born and faces prejudice against his heritage, Fred loses his job and, unable to find other employment, decides to return to Germany to fight for his homeland. Although he has no special attachment to the German cause, Bob quits the aviation company and joins his friend in Germany.

On their way to a German airfield, Red Cross nurse Alida Hoffman (Sari Maritza) accidentally runs Bob and Fred off the road, Both men are immediately drawn to Alida, especially Bob although Fred is more shy. After Bob's first unsuccessful mission, Captain Wolters (Erich von Stroheim), the squadron's tyrannical leader, expresses his doubt about his loyalty but, desperate for pilots, gives him another chance.

As the United States is drawn into the war, instead of sending him into a crucial air battle, Wolters arrests Bob. Fred, heartbroken that Alida has chosen Bob, quarrels with his friend, calling him a coward. Later, however, Fred allows his friend to escape from a firing squad and flee to the Allied lines.

To prove his allegiance, Bob leads British bombers to the German base, while Fred is told by Wolters that he must shoot down Bob to prove his loyalty.

CAST & CREW
Ben Lyon as Bob Wilson
Sari Maritza as Alida Hoffman
Erich von Stroheim as Capt. Wolters
James Bush as Fred von Bergen
William Bakewell as Adolph
Hardie Albright as Hugo
Arthur Clayton as Baron von Eisenlohr
Oscar Apfel as John Fleming
Purnell Pratt as Franklyn Pierce
Jason Robards, Sr. as Pierre
Wilhelm von Brincken as Von Gering
Brandon Hurst as English Officer
Crauford Kent as English Officer
Jameson Thomas as English Officer
Eric Arnold as Von Muller
Harry Schultz as Drill Sergeant
Frederick Vogeding as German Colonel

Directed by David Howard
Screenplay by Milton Krims, Doris Schroeder
Story by Al Martin, Sherman L. Lowe
Produced by Nat Levine
Cinematography Ernest Miller
Edited by Doris Drought
Production company Mascot Pictures
Distributed by Mascot Pictures
Release date October 12, 1934
Running time 71 minutes
Country United States
Language English

NOTES
Crimson Romance was a low budget production that relied on the large amount of footage that had been shot for Hell's Angels. The advantage of having Ben Lyon as the lead actor in both features allowed for intercutting between previously shot footage and new scenes that were shot at Wilson Airport in North Hollywood, California, owned by aviators Roy and Tave Wilson, the only airport that was exclusively devoted to film work. Lyon was filmed in a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 that had been seen in numerous films.

Crimson Romance was only allotted a short period of time for new scenes to be shot, resulting in a frenzied production schedule. Lyon was constantly on demand for filming and complained that the production company wanted a "limousine for the price of a Model T."

One unusual scene in Crimson Romance blended together footage of Lyon in a British fighter bearing down on a German bomber. The scene showing the bomber was from Hell's Angels. Lyon was also in the German aircraft, with the improbable scenario of Lyon shooting himself down.

In his review for The New York Times, Frank Nugent, struggled with the unlikely choice of the film's title and its apparent romantic story, wrote: " There is more to 'Crimson Romance' ... It is the not always believable, but generally interesting, story of two friends, one an American, the other a German, who enlist in the German air force in 1916."

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