Pola Illery Movies
- 1937
Tiger von Eschnapur is a remake of Joe May's 1919 silent film of the same name. Both versions were based on a novel by Thea von Harbou, at one time the wife of director Fritz Lang (and before that the wife of actor Rudolf Klein-Rogge). Hans Stüwe stars as Peter Fürbringer, a young architect who stumbles upon the "lost" Indian city of Eschnapur. Here he becomes embroiled in the feud between two brothers, the Maharaja of Eschnapur (La Jana) and Prince Ramigani (Alexander Golling). He also falls in love with the Maharaja's alluring bride (played by blonde American actress Kitty Janssen). This was part one of a two-part production; the second half, Das Indische Grabmal (The Indian Tomb) was likewise a remake of a 1919 Joe May production. In turn, both Tiger von Eschnapur and Das Indische Grabmal were remade in 1959 by Fritz Lang. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Alice Field, Pola Illery, (more)
- 1933
The French La Rue Sans Nom (Street Without A Name) was officially based on a novel by Marcel Ayme. In style and substance, however, it more closely resembled G. W. Pabst's 1925 silent classic The Joyless Street. The setting is a sordid Parisian neighborhood, rife with crime and corruption. Into this cesspool steps the heroine, whose beauty drives the local male population wild. As it turns out, her beauty is a curse, bringing even more tragedy and deprivation upon the already blighted neighborhood. La Rue Sans Nom was the second directorial effort by Pierre Chenal, who went on to helm such melodramatic masterpieces as Crime and Punishment (1935) and L'Alibi (1937). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Pola Illery, Constant Remy, (more)
- 1932
Quatorze Juliet translates to "July 14th"--and if you know your French history, you'll know that July 14th is Bastille Day. This Rene Clair films deals not with the tumultuous events of the French Revolution, but with a 1932 celebration of that particular French holiday. Clair made the film hoping to capture the freewheeling, anecdotal style of his earlier Under the Roofs of Paris. The hero, George Rigaud, is a Parisian cabdriver; the heroine, Annabella, is a flower peddler. As the Bastille Day festivities stretch on into the night, the young lovers come in contact with several of Paris' more eccentric citizens. Director Clair felt that Quatorze Juliet was better in parts than in sum total; modern audiences will most likely enjoy the film as a whole, excusing the weaknesses of its structure while revelling in its music and atmosphere. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Annabella, Raymond Cordy, (more)
Rene Clair's Under the Roofs of Paris is one of the first French films shot in sound. The film is a relaxed melodrama where a Parisian street singer (Albert Prejean) and his friend (Edmond Greville) pursue the love of the same woman (Pola Illery). Clair chose to use sound only when needed, preferring to tell the story through his visuals as well as through his dialogue. The result is a striking film, boasting beautiful photography and sets, as well as a moving story. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
- Starring:
- Albert Prejean, Pola Illery, (more)
The first of three film versions of Theophile Gautier's popular adventure novel Le Capitaine Fracasse was co-written and directed by Alberto Cavalcanti in 1929. Pierre Blanchar essays the title character, who when first we see him is impoverished nobleman Baron de Solignac. Living a solitary existence in his crumbling ancestral castle, the Baron's existence is brightened by the visit of a travelling harlequin troupe. Falling in love with Isabella (Lien Dyers), the troupe's leading lady, the Baron joins the strolling players, assuming the stage "persona" of Captain Fracasse. In this guise, our hero performs various and sundry feats of derring-do, culminating with his rescue of Isabella from the clutches of the evil Duke de Vallombreuse. Future Hollywood screen idol Charles Boyer shows up in a choice supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lien Deyers, Marguerite Moreno, (more)
