In 1921, some French journalists demanded that Tourneur not be allowed
to return to the U.S. after a visit to France. Jean-Louis Croze of
"Comoedia" denounced Tourneur for having spent the years of World War I
in America, thus avoiding military service. Croze accused the
director of cowardice for having emigrated to America to "[save] his
life, while so many of his compatriots lost theirs." However, as it turned out, Tourneur--born Maurice
Thomas--had in his youth served in the artillery in the
French forces in North Africa. Due to his good command of English,
he had been sent by the French studio Eclair to Fort Lee, NJ, to
manage its American studio.