The Dumb Girl of Portici

Director: Lois Weber, Phillips Smalley Lois Weber

Overview

Dumb Girl of Portici is famous today as the film in which Boris Karloff made his movie debut. This "fact" is open to debate: Karloff himself had no memories of the film's star, flamboyant dancing diva Anna Pavlova, and that bow-legged extra in the crowd scenes, photographed from behind, may or may not be "our Boris." Whatever the case, it cannot be denied that the film's storyline is based upon Daniel Francois Esprit's opera Masaniello. Anna Pavlova plays Fenella, the surprisingly non-dancing heroine, in this epic romantic tragedy. Fenella rises from rags to riches, but at a great personal price. The central role of Masaniello is played by future director Rupert Julian.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/06/2018
UPC:	0784148015149
Original Release:	1916
Source:	Milestone Video
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Sales rank:	47,488

Special Features

The Immortal Swan; 1935, directed by Edward Nakhimoff, produced by Victor D'Andre. 48 mins; ; Anna Pavlova Dancing; 1925, produced by Douglas Fairbanks, 13 mins; ; Anna Pavlova in Newsreels; 1920s, 2 mins; ; Pavlova Home Movies; 1920s, 13 mins

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

William Wolbert	Pietro
Lois Wilson	Actor
Jack Holt	Conde
Boris Karloff	Extra
Nigel de Brulier	Father Francisco
Douglas Gerrard	Alphonso
Jack Hoxie	Perrone
Rupert Julian	Mosaniello
Betty Schade	Isabella
Anna Pavlova	Fenella

Technical Credits

Lois Weber	Director,Producer
Phillips Smalley	Director,Producer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The Dumb Girl of Portici
1. Anna Pavlova Dances [9:44]
2. An Arranged Marriage [11:56]
3. Alphonso Learns [7:02]
4. A Meeting On The Beach [12:43]
5. Fenella's Shame [9:15]
6. Fenella Imprisoned [11:15]
7. Masaniello's Revolution [11:41]
8. Down With Repression [7:54]
9. Thieves And Murderers [13:04]
10. A Frightful Spectacle [7:06]
11. Masaniello's Madness [8:33]
12. Fenella's Final Dance [4:24]
Disc #2 -- The Dumb Girl of Portici
1. Opening Performance [7:37]
2. Greatest Dancer Of All Time [2:44]
3. Royal Command Performance [3:34]
4. Performances In Forty Four Countries [7:36]
5. Language Of The Heart [2:58]
6. Invitation To The Dance [6:07]
7. California Poppy Interpretation [7:51]
8. Life Of Rigid Discipline [4:54]
9. Excerpt From Rondino [3:18]
10. Eternal Symbol [6:06]

Menu

Disc #1 -- The Dumb Girl of Portici
   Play
   Scene Selection
Disc #2 -- The Dumb Girl of Portici
   Immortal Swan
      Play
      Scene Selection
      Bonus Features
         Anna Pavlova Dances At Fairbanks Studio
         Anna Pavlova's Home Movies
         Newsreels