DRUMS OF THE DESERT (1940) Ralph Byrd, Lorna Gray & George Lynn | Adventure, Romance | B&W

Drums of the Desert is a 1940 American romantic adventure film directed by George Waggner and written by Dorothy Davenport and George Waggner. The film stars Ralph Byrd, Lorna Gray, Mantan Moreland, George Lynn, Willy Castello and Jean Del Val. The film was released on October 7, 1940, by Monogram Pictures.

SYNOPSIS
French Foreign Legion Lieutenant Paul Dumont is en route to his new post in North Africa when he meets the enchanting Helene Laroche on a Mediterranean liner. A romance quickly blossoms between them, but complications arise when Paul discovers that Helene is engaged to his best friend and fellow officer, Captain Jean Bridaux. Despite their mutual feelings, Paul and Helene decide to part ways, but fate brings them back together when they both arrive at a Legion fort in Morocco.

Paul’s mission is to train a platoon of Senegalese Tirailleurs to become parachutists, under the leadership of Sgt. 'Blue' Williams, an American from Harlem. During a demonstration of their parachute skills, the fort is attacked by Ben Ali, an Arab leader who is captured after wounding Jean and attempting to murder him in his tent. Ben Ali is executed, sparking a vow of revenge from his brother Addullah, who plans an uprising against the Legion.

As Jean recovers from his injuries, he encourages Paul to guide Helene around the city. Their love grows stronger, but Paul is torn between his feelings for Helene and his loyalty to Jean. When a fortune teller, Hassan, predicts death and betrayal, tensions rise. Helene confides in the Colonel Commandant's wife, Madame Fouchet, who promises to speak with Jean about the situation.

Matters take a dire turn when Helene accidentally uncovers a cache of weapons meant for Addullah's insurgents at Hassan's nightspot. Both she and Paul are captured and taken to an oasis that serves as the rebel headquarters. Sgt. Blue discovers Helene’s note and, with Jean and his platoon, launches a daring rescue mission. They parachute into the oasis, defeat the insurgents, and rescue Paul and Helene. With the rebels defeated and their comrades avenged, the future of Paul, Helene, and Jean hangs in the balance as they navigate the complexities of love, loyalty, and duty.

CAST & CREW
Ralph Byrd as Lt. Paul Dumont
Lorna Gray as Helene Laroche
Mantan Moreland as Sgt. 'Blue' Williams
George Lynn as Capt. Jean Bridaux
Willy Castello as Addullah
Jean Del Val as Col. Fouchet
Ann Codee as Mrs. Fouchet
Boyd Irwin as Capt. Andre
Neyle Morrow as Ben Ali
Alberto Morin as Hassan
Jack Chefe as Steward
Bud Harrison as Bobo

Directed by: George Waggner
Screenplay by: Dorothy Davenport, George Waggner
Story by: John T. Neville
Produced by: Paul Malvern
Cinematography: Fred Jackman Jr.
Edited by: Jack Ogilvie
Production Company: Monogram Pictures
Distributed by: Monogram Pictures
Release Date: October 7, 1940
Running Time: 64 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English