Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-12
POLA NEGR| CALLS
AMER|CAPR0M|SED
LAND FOR ARTISTS
Polish Actress Is Enthusiastic
i'm Praise of Modern Studio
Methods Here.

80 big-so complete-so altogether
wonderful! The promised land of
artistic %endeavor!"
That's Pola Negri's summary Of
America, American motion picture
studios and American production
med up her impressions in her first
interview since her arrival at Para
mounts west coast studio where she is
engaged in the production of her first
American made. picture-a George
Fitzmaurice production of bella
Donna adapted from Robert Hichens
story of the same name.
To her America is the land of long
cherished dreams; it is the land where
motion picture production has reached
it's highest point of development; it is
the land that offers her an opportunity
to reach new heights of success.
All this and more she voiced in her
limited English at the end of that
memorable first day in an American
studio. She has been conducted into
every nook and Granny of P~aramount's
west coast studio by Jesse l.. Lasky
and George Fitzmaurice, her first
American director. She had .been
photographed wearing an American
makeup and illuminated by American
lighting methods. Physically tired but
spiritually ~exhaulted, she talked from
the heart of her impressions, her plans
and her ambitions.
American Technique Ahead
1T is all magnificent-this country
and this studio" she declared. II have
.Annn p, y,n1 nv LL- c~-- L-.-G IN--
have been here-New York, Chicago
n now California. And this studio is
the place | have dreamed Of for years.
1t has all the things that we in Europe
have heard of but never seen or used.
II doubt if American theater-goers
realize the difference between con-
~tinental and American motion picture
production methods. With one or two
exceptions. all of the pictures l ap-i
peared in abroad were made under con-
ditions that were discarded in this
country five years ago. Technique,
lighting. makeup, sets-ln every de-
partment Of production America leads
the world by at least five years.
Imagine what it means to me to
be granted an opportunity to TURF my
clock of progress ahead five years by
the sinple process of travelling a few
thousand miles and working hard!
Every artist@sdreams of the perfect
picture. The opportunity to make that
dream come true for me is here. That
is why my heart is full; that is why
I owe such a deep debt of gratitude
to Adolph Zukor and Jesse j.. Lasky
for giving me this chance to show the
American public what / can really do.
American Architects Understand
Il am amazed at the size of this
studio. Yet it is the most complete
atelier that could be devised; Of that
I am convinced after my inspection
trip. ] can think of nothing that could
be added. 1t makes our antiquated
studios of Europe look like Swiss toys.
Continental producers have built
s~tupendous stage settings, but the best
of these fall far short of the American
standard. Your architects have devel-
oped the fine art of set designing to q
point that approaches perfection. They
understand the necessity of building a
set for what you call camera angles
and they never lose sight of the pos
sibilities of Neutrality-suspicious. which
the European designers frequently
overlook.
"And your wardrobe department!"-
here the eyes of Pola Negri lighted as
the eyes Of all women alight when
clothes are mentioned. 1T is a paradise
in itself. Every one of my pictures
that have been shown in America have
presented me in a period costume. As
Du Barry in Passion / wore the
costume of the French court at the
time of the revolution; Carmen is of
course a costume role and One Arab
ian Night showed me in the colorful
garb of the original 'Sumurun' story.
"In Bella Donna l will wear pres
ent-day. ultra -modern costumes design
ed by an artist of costume creation for
the first time. 1t will be delightful. /
will have an opportunity to work under
absolutely ideal conditions. | will be
directed by Mr.. Fitzmaurice, a master
producer. l will enjoy for the first
time in my life the benefits of Amer
lean artistry and science in photog-
raphy and stage settings. l have per-
fected my makeup to meet the new
demands and ] am just q little vain
about it believe it improves my
screen appearance materially.
sit was a happy day for me when
Mr.. Lasky offered me the chance TO
come to America to make pictures: it
was an even happier day when / actu-
ally arrived. But the happiest day of
all will be when my first Paramount
picture made in America reaches the
screen t.
Barely a week elapsed between the
date of Miss Negri's arrival at the
studio and the start of production work
pm bella Donna" A notable cast
beaded by Conway Tearle and Conrad
m her initial venture here.
"a