Pola Smiles at Popular Ideas of Film Life

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 750, 24 August 1929, Page 27

Pola Smiles at Popular Ideas of Film Life

Long Working Days in Negri Production “HIT ME ON THE SHOULDER”

| Pola Negri, at present working | in England on an untitled film | in ivhich Warwick Ward apI pears as her leading man, | told a London interviewer | something of the arduous | work she is forcing herself to perform.

“I cannot help smiling,” she said, “when people tallv, as they often do, with envy of the wonderful and glamorous lives of film stars.” Miss Negri’s seven weeks in London consisted of almost undiluted work. The star has left home every morning at 8.15 ready for the studio “call” at 9 prompt, and has continued, as have all the staff and players, until 7.20 p.m. Her hours during the last four days at the studios were: First Day—Commence work in costume and in make-up at 9 a.m.; finish midnight. Second. —Commence work 9 a.m.; finish at 10.45 p.m. Third.—Commence work 9 a.m.; finish 4.10 a.m. the following day. Fourth.—Commence work at 11 a.m.; finish at 7 a.m. the following day. These final scenes called for intense emotional acting on the part of the star, who throws herself unsparingly Into her work. Four weeks ago she was playing a

scene in which Mr. Warwick Ward had to give her an angry push. After rehearsing it. and playing it before the camera for the first time, Miss Negri declared that Mr. Ward was not pushing her with sufficient violence. “Hit me,” she insisted; “hit me here on the shoulder.” Bather reluctantly, Mr. Ward agreed, and the scene recommenced. He hit her. much more forcibly than before. Miss Negri fell backward and hit her head against a mirror with a resounding blow which electrified everyone in the studio. Sliding to the ground the actress again struck her head as she did so, and lay still. The camera-man, however, continued to operate, with the result that he secured a most convincing scene, for Miss Negri had fainted. She was helped to her dressingroom and rested while a doctor was sent for. He found nothing more serious, fortunately, than a rapidlyrising bump. Soon afterward she was back on the floor, to be greeted by a spontaneous cheer from the i extra players.