Beyond Victory

On the Western Front during World War I, an American battalion advances to the French town of Nevremont, where it is outflanked. Sergeant Bill Thatcher (Bill Boyd) is left in charge of a small rear guard of four men to cover the battalion's retreat before it is cut off. During heavy shelling, Bill tries to comfort his men after each is wounded. The first, "Bud" (Russell Gleason), relates his story of how he joined the military, leaving the family farm to enlist, despite his mother's pleas for him not to become involved in foreign conflicts. As he finishes his story, he dies.

The second doughboy, Lew Cavanaugh (Lew Cody), is a New York playboy who used enlistment as a way to have a final night of pleasure with one of his conquests, never realizing that he would die on a French battlefield. The third American, the unsoldierly Jim Mobley (James Gleason), is not as badly wounded as the other two soldiers and tells his story of his wife's displeasure after he announces his intention to enlist and his own consternation at his inability explain to her why. Thatcher then relates his own story, where he was engaged to a German immigrant back in the United States but did not wed her due to their differences over the "Great War".

Shortly after, the Germans attack again, during which Bill and Jim defend their position and blow up a bridge to cover the retreat of their battalion, but are badly wounded. A German soldier tries to bayonet the unconscious Bill but is stopped by another soldier. Both are captured and sent to a German hospital, where Bill is discovered by his erstwhile fiancé, Katherine (Lissi Arna). She saves his life by persuading the German doctor to allow Bill, slowly bleeding to death but not allowed a transfusion because too many German patients are in need of one, to be transfused with her blood. After the armistice, with Bill recovered and decorated along with Jim for the defense of Nevremont, they celebrate the end of the fighting with Katherine.

• Bill Boyd as Sergeant Bill Thatcher
• James Gleason as Private Jim Mobley
• Lew Cody as Lew Cavanaugh
• ZaSu Pitts as Mademoiselle Fritzi
• Marion Shilling as Ina
• Russell Gleason as Russell ("Bud")
• Lissi Arna as Katherine
• Mary Carr as Mother
• Fred Scott as Fred
• Theodore Von Eltz as Major Sparks

(Cast list as per AFI database)

The film was announced as part of Pathé Exchange's 30-picture schedule for 1930–31 in February 1930.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=30 Features 450 Shorts from Pathe this Year | date=February 12, 1930 | page=9 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55152newy#page/368/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}{{cite news | newspaper=Inside Facts of Stage and Screen | title=Pathe Starts on First Picture of New Special Sked | date=February 22, 1930 | page=15 | url=https://archive.org/stream/insidefacts11-1930-02-22#page/n13/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} It was considered the premier film of Pathé's schedule for the season.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=No Pathe Merger On, Says Joseph P. Kennedy | date=April 22, 1930 | page=7 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55152newy#page/986/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}{{cite news | newspaper=Hollywood Filmograph | title=Pathe Engages John Robertson | date=March 8, 1930 | page=16 | url=https://archive.org/stream/hollywoodfilmogr101holl#page/n161/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Boyd was attached to the project by the end of February, as part of his new deal with Pathé, in which he would only appear in Pathé "specials". Beyond Victory was to be the first film of that new deal.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=William Boyd to Appear in Pathe Specials Only | date=February 23, 1930 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55152newy#page/454/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} James Gleason was added to the cast in a featured role in March 1930.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=James Gleason in "Beyond Victory" | date=March 18, 1930 | page=7 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55152newy#page/654/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} It was the first film for Gleason under his new exclusive long-term contract with Pathé.{{cite news | newspaper=Motion Picture News | title="Jimmy" Gleason Signed on Pathe Contract | date=March 22, 1930 | page=24 | url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpic41moti#page/n1087/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} At the same time, it was revealed that John Robinson would be helming the film.{{cite news | newspaper=Motion Picture News | title=Pathe Signs Robertson | date=March 15, 1930 | page=24 | url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpic41moti#page/n955/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Robert Armstrong was attached to the picture in early April.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Two More for Armstrong | date=April 1, 1930 | page=6 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55152newy#page/774/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Also in early April, it was announced that Mauri Grashin had been signed as screenwriter to a long-term contract by Pathé, and Beyond Victory would be his first project.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little from "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilk | date=April 9, 1930 | page=5 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55152newy#page/880/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} In June 1930, it was reported that Dorothy Burgess had been signed for a featured role in the film,{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=D. Burgess in "Beyond Victory" | date=June 8, 1930 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/64/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} and Zasu Pitts involvement with the picture as a knife-throwing entertainer was revealed, along with James Gleason's participation.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Along the Rialto |author=Phil M. Daly | date=June 11, 1930 | page=7 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/96/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} In mid-June, Charles O'Loughlin was announced as the sound engineer on the project,{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little From "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilk | date=June 12, 1930 | page=6 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/104/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} although the final version included work from four sound engineers. The Film Daily reported that the film's producer, E.B. Derr, in conjunction with the director, John Robertson, took an unusual step and had each sequence in the film written by a different screenwriter. The writers included James Seymour, James Gleason, Lynn Riggs, Thomas Lennon, Mauri Grashin, and Garret Fort.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Pathe Tests New Method of Preparing Film Script | date=June 13, 1930 | page=6 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/112/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} The concept was to have five independent stories intertwined around a central theme. In Glason's adaptation, he wrote a role into the final version of the script for himself.{{cite news | newspaper=Motion Picture Magazine | title=News and Gossip| page=94 | date=April 1931 | url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpicture41moti#page/n333/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22}} By early May pre-production on the film was almost completed.{{cite news | newspaper=Hollywood Filmograph | title=Robertson Ready to Start 'Beyond Victory' | date=May 3, 1930 | page=22 | url=https://archive.org/stream/hollywoodfilmogr101holl#page/n405/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} And production on the film had begun by the middle of May.{{cite news | newspaper=Hollywood Filmograph | title=John Robertson | page=17 | date=May 31, 1930 | url=https://archive.org/stream/hollywoodfilmogr101holl#page/n531/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22| access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}{{cite news | newspaper=Hollywood Filmograph | title=Start Pathe Comedy | page=9| date=May 24, 1930 | url=https://archive.org/stream/insidefacts11-1930-05-24#page/n7/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22| access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Also in May, the film was scheduled to be released on July 13, 1930.{{cite news | newspaper=Motion Picture News | title=Complete Release Chart: RKO Features | page=120 | date=May 3, 1930 | url=https://archive.org/stream/motionnew41moti#page/n515/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22| access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}

In early June, Robert Armstrong was replaced by Lew Cody. Armstrong was delayed on the production of Railroad Man.{{cite news | newspaper=Variety | title=Hollywood Bulletin | date=June 11, 1930 | page=31 | url=https://archive.org/stream/variety99-1930-06#page/n109/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} By June 15, 1930, the cast had grown to include William Boyd, Fred Scott, James Gleason, Russell Gleason, June Collyer, Helen Twelvetrees, Zasu Pitts, Purnell Pratt, and Bert Roach.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little From "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilks | date=June 15, 1930 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/120/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}{{cite news | newspaper=Motion Picture News | title=Briefly Told News: Pathe Signs Cody | date=June 14, 1930 | page=84 | url=https://archive.org/stream/motionnew41moti#page/n1299/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} The following week, Richard Tucker was added to the cast.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little From "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilks | date=June 19, 1930 | page=6 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/194/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Production on the film was almost complete by the end of June.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Pathe Re-entering Serial Field with 5 Planned | date=June 20, 1930 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/200/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} On June 26, the final cast list was reported. Additions to the cast were: William Holden, E.H. Calvert, Fred Walton, Wade Boteler, Rockliffe Fellowes, Helen Baxter, George Stone, Elinor Millard, Ed Deering, Bert Sprotte, Conrad Seidemann, Paul Weigle, and Charles Giblyn.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title="Beyond Victory" Fully Cast | date=June 26, 1930 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/244/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Millard was a stage actress, and this movie was her film debut.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Along the Rialto |author=Phil M. Daly | date=July 8, 1930 | page=3 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/306/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} In addition to the unusual script development strategy used by Pathé, they also employed a U.S. Army Colonel, Frank S. Long, as a technical advisor on the film.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Along the Rialto |author=Phil M. Daly | date=July 24, 1930 | page=5 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/444/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} A new type of silencer for the camera was employed on the picture, allowing a close-up of Boyd's hand signing a document to pick up the pen's scratching noise on the paper.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Along the Rialto |author=Phil M. Daly | date=September 24, 1930 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/876/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} The film included actual war footage from Pathé's film library, which at the time had one of the most extensive collections of World War I footage.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=World War Prologue to "Victory" | date=February 6, 1931 | page=10 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/326/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} While the film's main cinematography was done by Norbert Brodine, William Dietz was hired to do some special trick photography.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little from "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilks | date=February 16, 1931 | page=6 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/410/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}

By July 11, 1930, production on the film was completed.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title="Beyond Victory" Finished | date=July 11, 1930 | page=6 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/330/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} By the end of the month, the picture was in the editing room.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title="Beyond Victory" in Cutting Room | date=July 25, 1930 | page=11 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/458/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} However, on July 23 it was announced that the film was being shelved for the time being, with portions to be re-shot.{{cite news | newspaper=Variety | title=Pathe Shelves Film, "Beyond Victory" | date=July 23, 1930 | page=5 | url=https://archive.org/stream/variety99-1930-07#page/n209/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} By August 21, the film was being advertised in major industry journals.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Beyond Victory | date=July 25, 1930 | pages=9–10 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/564/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} In the released version of the film, scenes with Helen Twelvetrees and June Collyer were completely cut.{{cite book | title=The RKO Story | last1=Jewell | first1=Richard B. | last2=Harbin | first2=Vernon | publisher=Arlington House | year=1982 | place=New York | page=34 |ISBN=0-517-546566}} In October it was announced that the film was scheduled for release on November 30,{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Three Pathe Specials for November Release | date=October 22, 1930 | page=8 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/330/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} with the film undergoing some large re-shoots under the direction of E.H. Griffith.{{cite news | newspaper=Motion Picture News | title=Insiders Outlook: Boosting the Nut | date=November 22, 1930 | page=26 | url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpicturenew42moti#page/n805/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} However, the film went back into the editing room in early December.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=6 Features and 6 Shorts in the Works at Pathe | date=December 7, 1930 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/1408/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} The film's release date was eventually pushed back to be included in the 1931 release schedule.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Derr Urges Keeping Pace with Improving Tastes | date=January 2, 1931 | page=2 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/2/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Pathé cut its planned 20 films for the 1930–31 schedule to 9, with Beyond Victory scheduled as the last of the nine. The reason cited was Pathé's acquisition by RKO Pictures.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Pathe Delivering Only 9 of 20 Under Old Regime | date=March 6, 1931 | page=1 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/566/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Beyond Victory was one of three Pathé films which were purchased outright by RKO.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Announcement | date=March 19, 1931 | page=9 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/680/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}

The reviews of the film were mixed. The Film Daily called it a "Fairly good war drama", highlighting the good performance of Marion Shilling.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title="Beyond Victory" with Bill Boyd | page=32 | date=April 12, 1931 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/882/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22}} However, the magazine issued a retraction a short time later, noting that they meant to compliment the acting work of Lissi Arna, not Shilling.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=Where Credit is Due | page=7 | date=April 29, 1931 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/1064/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22}} This sentiment was echoed by the Motion Picture Magazine, which called it a "War picture to talk about...."{{cite news | newspaper=Motion Picture Magazine | title=The Picture Parade| page=60| date=June 1931 | url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpicture41moti#page/n333/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22}} On the other hand, the Motion Picture Herald, described it as a "mixed-up affair, pacifist in theme, and in acting, story, direction and other departments woefully amateurish."{{cite news | newspaper=Motion Picture Herald| title=Beyond Victory | page=40| date=April 18, 1931 | url=https://archive.org/stream/motionpictureher103unse#page/n393/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22}}

Despite her scenes being cut, Helen Twelvetrees was part of a tie-in marketing campaign of the film and Outdoor Girl Face Powder.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=National Magazine Tieup for Pathe | date=September 22, 1930 | page=7 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/862/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Richard Tucker, playing an American officer overseas in World War I was an actual officer in the American Expeditionary Force during the war.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little From "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilk | date=October 23, 1930 | page=9 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/1116/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} James Gleason was also an army veteran, having served during the Spanish–American War.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little From "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilk | date=October 24, 1930 | page=8 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/1126/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Schilling's work on the film garnered her a long-term contract with Pathé.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little From "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilk | date=December 26, 1930 | page=7 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume55354newy#page/1528/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}} Bill Boyd was married to Dorothy Sebastian during the filming of the picture, with the couple delaying their honeymoon until the Spring of 1931.{{cite news | newspaper=The Film Daily | title=A Little From "Lots" |author=Ralph Wilk | date=March 8, 1931 | page=4 | url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdailyvolume555newy#page/584/mode/2up/search/%22Beyond+Victory%22 | access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{Open access}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|0021656|Beyond Victory}}
• {{tcmdb title|68593|Beyond Victory}}

{{John S. Robertson}}

Category:1931 films

Category:RKO Pictures films

Category:Pathé Exchange films

Category:American black-and-white films

Category:1931 war films

Category:Films directed by John S. Robertson

Category:American World War I films

Category:American war films

Category:1930s English-language films

Category:1930s American films

Category:English-language war films