Anna Pavlova's celestial ballet in THE DUMB GIRL OF PORTICI (1916), directed by Lois Weber. Pavlova was the biggest name in ballet and she negotiated contract terms to match, including a fat salary and all scenes shot in Chicago, where she was performing onstage. Good for her! - ThreadSky

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moviessilently.bsky.social • 27 days ago

Anna Pavlova's celestial ballet in THE DUMB GIRL OF PORTICI (1916), directed by Lois Weber.

Pavlova was the biggest name in ballet and she negotiated contract terms to match, including a fat salary and all scenes shot in Chicago, where she was performing onstage. Good for her!

Comments

elseigh.bsky.social•27 days ago

Thrilled to see this (I’m a ballet teacher). 🩰

fictionmachine.bsky.social•27 days ago

I haven't seen an outrageous number of silent films, but of the ones I *have* seen The Dumb Girl of Portici really impressed me. The storming of the fortress at the climax is an incredible set piece.

swac.bsky.social•23 days ago

I was not expecting to see heads on pikes ... and the use of tinting and toning throughout the new restoration was quite dramatic.

Pavlova is an intriguing presence on film, it's too bad she never made another feature, but she had other fish to fry.

cravenlovelace.bsky.social•27 days ago

I wish there were more film buffs who posted as much on-topic stuff as you do here on Bluesky. Very happy I stumbled across your feed a while back, because I've learned a ton.

edamamejones.bsky.social•27 days ago

This is based on an 1828 opera La Muette de Portici where the title character is a mute ballerina instead of a singer. The eruption of Vesuvius in the background of the final battle was a highlight of the premiere in Paris.

avantemoji.bsky.social•27 days ago

One of my favorite scenes in film history, recently programmed it at my local theater with a live score!!!

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