STARS AND THEIR ART.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17352, 17 May 1924, Page 20

STARS AND THEIR ART.

THE ART OF POLA NEGRI. (By DIMITRI BUCHOWETSKI, Paramount Director.) 1 intend to divulge a secret concerning Pol a .Negri. Throughout the world her danc hair, striking lace and wonderiul eyes are familiar in roles such as she played i.n 44 Passion.’’ “ -Vlad l'uore ” or 44 Montmartre.' ’ They arc all characters of the vampire type and they have made her famous. The natural result is that the public has come to consider Pola Negri s art con fined to portrayals of this kind. This is not true. • I believe Pola Negri would have made just as great a success playing in roles of entirely different types, roles which presented her as sweet and womanly. .! know she has always wanted to play these roles. Her first stage characters were in Hauptmann’s ‘ Hannele ” and Suderman’s 44 Sodom’s End.” They presented her as a golden-haired girl, sweet, joyous and radiating sunshine. Remembering the Pola of • Passion” it would seem impossible for her to play such a role, hut so supreme an artist is not confined to any single type of expression. Her • Hannele i and other plays in which she appeared were hailed as triumphs. As a dramatic actress. Pola Negri is one of the greatest of our time. She is one of the few whose tears upon the screen are convincing. In portraying human suffering. 1 know no other, actress with as great inner strength and power. It not only lifts her to great heights, but it also inspires those with whom she works They, too, feel the power of that strong spirit. It is not too much to prophesy for Pola Negri a fresh trend in. the expression of her genius. The lighthearted roles in which she first appeared, the sweetness and the sunshine of her earlier characterisations may once again be hers to portray. Should my prophecy come true, the world which knows her as the dark mistress of tragedy will be astounded by the art which makes it possible for l;er to express herself in such a totally different manner. Her versatility will make new friends and open the way to many new and greater triump-is. Miss Negri’s next American picture, for Paramount will be “ Men." which will be made under my direction. I am much honoured and pleased over the prospects of working with this popular and talented star. (Pqla Negri's next picture to be screened in Christchurch will be “ The Spanish Dancer.”)