Dear Miss Golden,
Thank you so much for gracing this board with your presence here! As you have written a book on Pola Negri I am quite sure that unlike the vast majority of us, you have seen Ernst Lubitsch FORBIDDEN PARADISE (1924). What can you tell us about the film, and also I would like to know if possible just how much of the film still exists? Is it pretty complete, or is a fair amount of the picture missing? I have been very frustrated by the lack of information available, not to mention the film itself!
I was very impressed with the restoration of THE WILDCAT (1921), on the Kino DVD, and I was wondering if any print's of Lubitsch MADAME DAUBERY (1919), still exist in this good of a condition, or if this film has been restored at all?
One of my favorite Silent's is Rowland V. Lee's BARBED WIRE (1927), which was the First Pola Negri film that I saw! I was so taken with her heartfelt performance! To me this is one of the great largely unknown films of the late 1920's. How Pola is willing to sacrifice on Principle for love of Oscar is so intensely moving. Despite the public outcry! And when He long lost Brother returns, it really put's thing in perspective, even for the naysayer's that cursed her Union with the German Oscar (Played by Clive Brook).
There is a deeper meaning to the film that makes us question the senselessness of War, and the Message is quite profound! And it also emphasizes how underneath, we are all Brothers and Sister's and that in the end petty hatreds' and jalousies, religious and ethnic prejudices are futile and misguided! Oh, if society would only embrace that message, and reflect upon it!
Ultimately, in the years since the First World War ended Man seems humanity seems to have learned very little, about what's really important! Unity, and understanding! Well, and truly frustrating that Paramount continues to suppress such great films as this one from the a World that could surly need such inspiration!
HOTEL IMPERIAL is another Classic that merit's a proper restoration and an official DVD release. If no other reason than it is one of Muritz Stiller's few surviving American films! Pola and James Hall are also quite wonderful in this movie! I have a copy of WOMAN OF THE WORLD (1925), but I mist confess that I have not watched it yet.
I was also wondering among Pola's films that you have seen, do you have a personal favorite, that you could share with us? In addition, might you have any information concerning any recent Silent film discovers, and or restorations project's such as Colleen Moore's LILAC TIME (1928), with Gary Copper, SYNTHETIC SIN (1928), or WHY BE GOOD? (1929), for example?
Finally, I am curious if you have ever seen the outstanding Richard Barthelmess feature THE PATENT LEATHER KID (First National; 1927), another very powerful Anti-War drama. Barthelmess received a Academy Nomination as best actor for this picture in the First year of the Awards! Oh, how I wish Warner's would do something with this remarkable film!