This 1930 feature was Josef von Sternberg’s first American film with Marlene Dietrich, and some purists might declare it the best; certainly the visual exoticism is thick enough to tastein layers yet. Gary Cooper at his most effective costars as a foreign legionnaire who wins Dietrich’s heart, and Adolphe Menjou plays a wealthy rake who competes for her affection; Dietrich, as a cabaret singer, does three numbers. 92 min. (JR)