Pavlova, Anna. (1881-1931). Rare Crucifix Worn in the Film "The Dumb Girl of Portici.". A remarkable coloured glass crucific and chain worn by the legendary ballerina in her performance as Fenella in the 1916 film of Auber's "La Muette de Portici." Sold together with a xerox black and white film still of Pavlova wearing the crucifix. This remarkable relic comes to us via the daughter of Linda Lindovska, one of the Pavlova Company's corps dancers who performed in the film. Apparently the original crucifix that was to be used by Pavlova in the production did not properly show up on the black and white film. This larger, bolder necklace was loaned by the other dancer for the duration of the filming and then returned to her by Pavlova.
In 1916, Lois Weber - "the greatest woman director" (Moving Picture Stories) - directed her 90 minute silent film version of "The Dumb Girl of Portici." The film cost Universal Studios $250,000, which was the most expensive film ever made up to that time. A full $50,000 of that ($500/hour) - an astronomical sum at the time - went to the star, Anna Pavlova, who apparently agreed to the film project in order to help support her touring production of the Auber opera with the Boston Grand Opera. Astonishingly however, the film includes virtually no dancing whatsoever! An interesting side note is that the film includes the screen debut of the very young Boris Karloff , who can be seen as an extra!
In 1916, Lois Weber - "the greatest woman director" (Moving Picture Stories) - directed her 90 minute silent film version of "The Dumb Girl of Portici." The film cost Universal Studios $250,000, which was the most expensive film ever made up to that time. A full $50,000 of that ($500/hour) - an astronomical sum at the time - went to the star, Anna Pavlova, who apparently agreed to the film project in order to help support her touring production of the Auber opera with the Boston Grand Opera. Astonishingly however, the film includes virtually no dancing whatsoever! An interesting side note is that the film includes the screen debut of the very young Boris Karloff , who can be seen as an extra!
Pavlova, Anna. (1881-1931). Rare Crucifix Worn in the Film "The Dumb Girl of Portici.". A remarkable coloured glass crucific and chain worn by the legendary ballerina in her performance as Fenella in the 1916 film of Auber's "La Muette de Portici." Sold together with a xerox black and white film still of Pavlova wearing the crucifix. This remarkable relic comes to us via the daughter of Linda Lindovska, one of the Pavlova Company's corps dancers who performed in the film. Apparently the original crucifix that was to be used by Pavlova in the production did not properly show up on the black and white film. This larger, bolder necklace was loaned by the other dancer for the duration of the filming and then returned to her by Pavlova.
In 1916, Lois Weber - "the greatest woman director" (Moving Picture Stories) - directed her 90 minute silent film version of "The Dumb Girl of Portici." The film cost Universal Studios $250,000, which was the most expensive film ever made up to that time. A full $50,000 of that ($500/hour) - an astronomical sum at the time - went to the star, Anna Pavlova, who apparently agreed to the film project in order to help support her touring production of the Auber opera with the Boston Grand Opera. Astonishingly however, the film includes virtually no dancing whatsoever! An interesting side note is that the film includes the screen debut of the very young Boris Karloff , who can be seen as an extra!
In 1916, Lois Weber - "the greatest woman director" (Moving Picture Stories) - directed her 90 minute silent film version of "The Dumb Girl of Portici." The film cost Universal Studios $250,000, which was the most expensive film ever made up to that time. A full $50,000 of that ($500/hour) - an astronomical sum at the time - went to the star, Anna Pavlova, who apparently agreed to the film project in order to help support her touring production of the Auber opera with the Boston Grand Opera. Astonishingly however, the film includes virtually no dancing whatsoever! An interesting side note is that the film includes the screen debut of the very young Boris Karloff , who can be seen as an extra!