A Woman of the World

Whoa, this movie was something else. Pola Negri certainly had a way with the camera; her performance as the Italian Countess with the tattoo who is sexually desired by almost every male she meets was kind of over the top, but who cares? This was the 1920's, before censorship of the Hays Office, and almost any topic could be explored on film, even blatant sexuality. The more silent films I see the more I am convinced their filmmakers braved topics that would be considered taboo even in our own day. And they explored those topics with rare honesty and depth. This is such a film. And that whip scene, goodness me, I've never seen anything like it.

My favorite scene however was where Chester Conklin, trying to make the Countess feel better about the tattoo on her arm, starts to remove his shirt and show her the long train tattoos on both HIS arms. Pola starts laughing hysterically and you can tell she wasn't acting.

"Woman Of The World" is billed as a comedy but is more of a romantic drama. It's a good chance to see Pola Negri, who was thought to be very glamorous and exotic in the 20's but seems dated and old-fashioned now. To be fair, she was not photographed in a flattering manner in this film, but she has a tattoo, which would put her in the 21st century trendwise.

The plot is far-fetched. She is a European Countess who comes to live with her cousin in small town, USA. The local DA (Holmes Herbert) is on a crusade to rid the town of vice and spots a likely suspect in Negri - who is smoking in public! He confronts her and is smitten. The story becomes a battle of wits and he is challenged by a young buck (Charles Emmett Mack) for her affections. The DA is then alternately imperious and abject in her presence as the story progresses, confusing the issue.

'Woman Of The World" is outdated and overacted and prone to melodramatics. Comedy relief is supplied by Chester Conklin as her cousin with whom she is staying. Unless you have never seen Pola Negri this picture is worth missing. The actions of all concerned do not ring true and ultimately is too fanciful and does not cast Ms. Negri in a favorable light. Shown at Cinevent, Columbus, O., 5/13.

A great little comedy drama starring Pola Negri. A European countess, after being betrayed by her lover, goes to live in small town Middle America with her cousins and causes havoc among the rather puritanical community members. A memorable scene involves Pola and her leading man and a whip (in Pola's hands). This film still exists in a lovely print that was probably taken from a 16mm source.

Woman of the World is about a Countess who is spurned by her lover, but she has already branded herself with his crest, a tattoo on her arm. Betrayed and craving a change of scenery, she travels to Iowa to stay with distant relatives, who are bewildered by her but eager to placate a Countess.

I had heard great things about this movie for years so I was excited when this movie was screened at Cinevent in 2013. However, I was utterly bored with Pola Negri. She played the vamp type, but there is nothing alluring or sexy about her. Her round, somewhat plain face and dull personality couldn't become jazzy no matter how much makeup they caked on her face, and believe me, they tried.

As a historical piece, there are worse movies you could see. The story isn't bad and it certainly illustrates what small-town life was like in the 1920s, a far cry from that of the city that most people associate with the flapper era.

In Sunset Blvd., Norma Desmond says "Those idiot producers. Those imbeciles. Haven't they got any eyes? Have they forgotten what a star looks like?". While watching A Woman of the World (1925), those words kept running through my head as I saw the magnificent Pola Negri playing the world-weary European countess.

Though numerous scenes, Pola wears gorgeous clothes, beautiful hats, spectacular jewels and a fantastic hair do (rather reminiscent of Louise Brooks). She looks every inch a star as the camera catches her in stunning close-ups, often through the hazy smoke of her ever-present cigarette holder.

The story was an amusing fish out of water story when the supremely sophisticated Pola flees a broken love affair in Europe to visit a distant relative (by marriage) in middle America. Most of the comedy derives from the hick locals clashing with the old world Negri.

The climatic scene (SPOILER) where a furious Pola takes a bullwhip to the crusading DA (who is secretly in love with her) is shocking and fantastic and should be better known than it is.

All in all, much of the film is a stunning still photo come to life and A Woman of the world is a perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy the exotic hothouse glamour of an almost forgotten superstar of another era. They certainly had faces then.