The Sacred Flame (1931 film)

The Sacred Flame (German: Die heilige Flamme) is a lost 1931 American drama film directed by William Dieterle and Berthold Viertel and starring Gustav Fröhlich, Dita Parlo and Hans Heinrich von Twardowski. It was made by Warner Brothers as a German-language remake of the studio's 1929 film The Sacred Flame.^[1][2] It is based upon the 1928 play of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham.

The Sacred Flame
Directed by	William Dieterle Berthold Viertel
Written by	Heinrich Fraenkel Berthold Viertel
Based on	The Sacred Flame by Somerset Maugham
Produced by	Henry Blanke
Starring	Gustav Fröhlich Dita Parlo Hans Heinrich von Twardowski
Cinematography	Frank Kesson
Production company	Warner Brothers
Distributed by	Deutsche First National Pictures
Release date	May 5, 1931 (1931-05-05)
Running time	86 minutes
Country	United States
Language	German

Synopsis

After newly married Stella's husband is badly injured in a plane crash, causing him to lose the use of his legs, she becomes emotionally involved with his brother.

Reception

Rudolf Arnheim said "It is incomprehensible how such a film can be launched in a large cinema, rather than being chastely hidden away from the eyes of any kind of criticism."^[3]

Cast

• Gustav Fröhlich as Walter Taylor
• Dita Parlo as Stella
• Hans Heinrich von Twardowski as Robert Taylor
• Salka Viertel as Frau Taylor
• Charlotte Hagenbruch as Schwester Weyland
• Vladimir Sokoloff as Doctor Harvester
• Anton Pointner as Major Liconda
• Hubert von Meyerinck as Pfarrer