POLA WILL NOT MAKE “RACHEL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 122, 13 August 1927, Page 23

POLA WILL NOT MAKE “RACHEL”

EXTRAVAGANT DEMANDS CAST IN NEW PICTURE “Rachel.” in which, it was reported, Pola Negri was to play lead, is to be postponed after all. It is hinted that Pola’s extravagance was responsible for this decision. A Los Angeles correspondent writing by the last American mail, said:

“I am wondering - if Famous Players- I Lasky were not a I little appalled at I the expense sheet I sent back by Pola “ Negri for “Rach- | el’s” wardrobe. The | seven gowns she I planned might have served nicely for a queen’s coronation. s Pola usually disregards money

when she is interested in getting props for a picture. At any rate a conference of the powers that be at the Lasky studios decided to postpone “Rachel.” The substitute chosen has been written by Sidney Howard, the man who wrote “Lucky Sam McCarver.” the Pulitzer prize play of 1925 and which incidentally is Thomas Meighan’s next picture for Famous Players-Lasky. The title of the Howard play is still under consideration. TO BE A WAITRESS All I know is that Pola plays a waitress in a continental cafe. There will be no one leading man, the plot depending upon two masculine characters, each equally important- As yet no director has been selected. I am wondering what Pola will say when this word is cabled to her and I wonder who was elected to break the news. Her one hope and ambition was to bring “Rachel” to the screen. “Let us hope she does not get the word while she is on her honeymoon. Still that might be as auspicious a time to tell her as any. It should not matter so much.

“Marceline Day seems to have demonstrated her ability as an actress to the satisfaction of everyone at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. I rather suspect “Captain Salvation” was the turning point in her career, for after directing her, John Robertson decided to give her the role of the Spanish girl opposite Ramon Novarro in “Romance.” This decision is interesting inasmuch as dozens and dozens of tests were made to try and find a girl with necessary fire and Carmen qualities.