Set during the 16th-century Spanish occupation of Flanders, the story concentrates on the fiercely patriotic Mark Van Ryke (Colman). Donning the guise of "Leatherface," a swashbuckling masked avenger, Van Ryke performs his derring-do on behalf of the Prince of Orange (Nigel de Brulier). Naturally, Van Ruke considers beautiful Spanish aristocrat Donna Leonora de Vargas (Vilma Banky) to be a bitter enemy, and the feeling is mutual. To no one's surprise, however, Van Ryke and Donna Leonara eventually fall in love (hence the title). The pulse-pounding climax finds Van Ryke riding hell-for-leather through a rainstorm to warn the Flemish troops about the Spaniards' plans to burn the city of Ghent to the ground. Two Lovers was based on Madame Orczy's novel Leatherface, and adapted for the screen by Alice Duer Miller.
Acting
Colman and Banky's final on-screen pairing crackles with real chemistry.
Costume
That leather mask is giving major Zorro-meets-Dior energy.
Practical Effects
Ghent-is-burning climax with actual horses in actual rain.
Director
Fred Niblo
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Vilma Banky's final American film before she married and retired at 26, making this pairing's 'final picture' tagline eerily prophetic.
Adapted from the same author who created The Scarlet Pimpernel—no wonder our hero hides behind a mask while being hopelessly noble.
US
