Book review: Pola Negri: Temptress of Silent Hollywood

One of the truly frustrating things about any study of film history is the incredibly poor survival rate of silent movies. The cinema of the 1920s offered some especially significant movies that we cannot currently see. The work of directors and actors who helped shaped cinema is sometimes so limited in its availability, we must rely on past essays and reputations rather than actually see for ourselves.

Sergio Delgado’s latest book mentions a 1928 piece on silent films that indicates actress Pola Negri’s place in film history had yet to be evaluated. Nearly 90 years later, the author of “Pola Negri: Tempress of Hollywood” (McFarland) attempts to do just that. However, Delgado mentions immediately, “With so few of her films available for viewing, there is insufficient evidence to adequately judge the acting that won the acclaim of critics in her time.”

The author explores Pola’s early life, her first films in Poland, several movies produced in Germany (some directed by Ernst Lubitsch) and, eventually, her coming to America and spending most of the 1920s starring in features for Paramount Pictures. While he can provide his own assessments of existing films, those many that are lost are discussed via background information and period reviews. Through the author’s discoveries, we are enlightened by the impact of Pola Negri’s presence in a very important cinematic period

Pola Negri’s autobiography and Chaplin’s autobiography offer conflicting stories as to their romance. This book offers the most accurate account of this relationship, based on the author’s further research. Even more is discussed about her notorious romance with Rudolph Valentino, that continued until his 1926 death, including Pola’s reaction and the fact that she never truly got over his passing.

Pola Negri lived until 1987, dying at the age of 90. There is a great deal to learn about Pola Negri’s life and career. The author offers an informative, interesting and insightful book where we are able to learn more about her life, and better appreciate her enormous impact. This book is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in film history.

“Pola Negri: Temptress of Silent Hollywood” is available here.