Scarlet Dawn is one of the first
films that William Dieterle made after leaving Germany and beginning
his successful career in Hollywood. Despite the obvious
budgetary constraints (Warner Brothers weren't exactly famous for
throwing money around), the film impresses with its imaginative
chiaroscuro cinematography and set design, which provide an authentic
recreation of the period and location. This is one of the
few American films set at the time of the Russian revolution which
doesn't get mired in historical detail or degenerate into tacky generic
melodrama once the setting has been established.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is appropriately cast as the handsome romantic lead,
exposing his chest in a few scenes to the delight of his many female
admirers (something his illustrious father would never have got away
with). Although Nancy Carroll plays the most sympathetic
character, and does so with some poignancy, it is the stunning Lilyan
Tashman who makes the biggest impression as the voluptuous Russian
femme fatale, exuding vile decadence and calculating sensuality in
every shot. Not up to Dieterle's usual standards of
excellence, but an engaging and well-crafted film all the same.
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Next William Dieterle film: The Crash (1932)
Film Synopsis
1917. Prince Nikiti Krasnoff is an officer in the Imperial
Russian army. Shortly after returning to his native country after
fighting against the Germans in WWI, Prince Nikiti finds himself caught
up in the Bolshevik uprising. To save his life, the prince
disguises himself as a poor Russian labourer. His loyal household
servant Tanyusha conceals his identity and the two escape across the
Turkish border. In Constantinople, they marry and find menial
work; it is a hard life but they are content. Then, one
day, Nikiti's former mistress Vera Zimina puts in an unexpected
appearance. She persuades the prince to leave Tanyusha and start
a new life with her in Paris. Missing the life he once knew,
Nikita has no hesitation in joining Vera, but he has second thoughts
when he discovers he that must sell a fake necklace to buy his passage
out of Turkey...
Script: Mary C. McCall Jr. (novel),
Niven Busch,
Erwin S. Gelsey,
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (dialogue)
Cinematographer: Ernest Haller
Cast: Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (Baron Nikita 'Nikki' Krasnoff),
Nancy Carroll (Tanyusha Krasnoff),
Lilyan Tashman (Vera Zimina),
Guy Kibbee (Mr. Murphy),
Sheila Terry (Marjorie Murphy),
Richard Alexander (Ivan - Revolutionary),
Hadji Ali (Turkish Landlord),
Mischa Auer (Sergei - Soldier),
Mae Busch (French Wedding Witness),
Jack Chefe (Nightclub Guest),
Harry Cording (Revolutionary),
Earle Foxe (Boris - Soldier),
Betty Gillette (Girl),
Alphonse Kohlmar (Orthodox Priest),
Lee Kohlmar (German Tailor),
Arnold Korff (Kalin),
William Le Maire (Revolutionary),
Ivan Linow (Ivan - Revolutionary),
George Magrill (Revolutionary),
Eric Mayne (Doctor)
Country: USA
Language: English / German
Support: Black and White
Runtime: 57 min
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