The Spanish Dancer

A fine romantic drama starring the tempestuous Pola Negri as the Gypsy dancer Maritana who falls in love with Don Cesar de Bazan, a penniless nobleman played by Antonio Moreno. Pola's classic beauty is evident here and she gives a worthy performance. Other noble actors who would eventually have great success in talkies are Wallace Beery as the self-centered King Philip IV of Spain and Adolphe Menjou as the conniving Don Saluste. A young Dawn O'Day can briefly be seen who would grow up to be the adult actress Anne Shirley. One of the more outstanding performances in this film was given by the great actress Kathlyn Williams. Her portrayol of the domineering Queen Isabel of Bourbon in all her regal beauty and splendor was nothing but brilliant. It is fine early cinema like this which justifies the art of film preservation.