A silent-era femme fatale who weaponizes her trauma? Pola Negri said EAT THE RICH.
Cleo lives in Marseilles and works as a waitress in a waterfront dive. A stranger entices her into coming to Paris to take dancing lessons, but instead she is taken to a baron, who betrays her. In spite of this inauspicious start, Cleo becomes a successful and renowned actress, but her feelings about men have never recovered. She loathes them and uses them only for the money they offer her, which she then hands over to a penniless girl.
Acting
Pola Negri's eyes do ALL the talking. Silent film royalty.
Production
Marseilles grit vs. Paris glam—two worlds, one broken woman.
Director
Dimitri Buchowetzki
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Pola Negri was Paramount's answer to Theda Bara—this was one of her last American silents before talkies ended her US career.
The 'kept woman redeems herself through charity' ending was studio-mandated; director Buchowetzki reportedly fought for a darker conclusion.
US
