The Spanish Dancer | 1923 | Historical Drama Romance

Title: The Spanish Dancer | 1923 | Historical Drama Romance Director: Herbert Brenon Studio: Famous Players–Lasky / Paramount Pictures Starring: Pola Negri, Antonio Moreno, Wallace Beery, Kathlyn Williams, Gareth Hughes, Adolphe Menjou Based on: Play/novel Don César de Bazan by Adolphe d’Ennery and Philippe François Pinel Dumanoir (adapted by June Mathis and Beulah Marie Dix) Release Date: October 7 1923 Runtime: Approximately 90–100 minutes Format: Silent black and white Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Historical Drama Romance --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Maritana and gypsy life 00:15:00 Meeting Don César de Bazan 00:30:00 Court intrigue and royal interest 00:45:00 Duel and sentencing 01:00:00 Maritana’s plea and intervention 01:15:00 Escape and resolution --- Summary: The Spanish Dancer is a 1923 American silent historical drama starring Pola Negri as Maritana, a spirited gypsy dancer whose charms captivate the nobleman Don César de Bazan in seventeenth-century Spain. Their romance is complicated by royal intrigue when Don César’s duel leads to a death sentence and Maritana must navigate palace politics to save him. The film blends sweeping adventure, romantic tension, and elaborate costume spectacle, portraying Maritana’s resourcefulness and the couple’s struggle against social and royal obstacles. --- Background: Directed by Herbert Brenon and photographed by James Wong Howe, The Spanish Dancer was produced as a lavish Paramount Pictures feature during the silent era. Shot with expansive sets and large crowd scenes, the film showcases Pola Negri’s dynamic presence and remains one of her most celebrated American roles. --- Trivia: Pola Negri’s role in The Spanish Dancer was considered a defining vehicle for her Hollywood stardom. The story is based on the same source material as *Rosita* (1923), released in the same year by a different studio. Cinematographer James Wong Howe later became one of Hollywood’s most respected camera artists. Restorations of The Spanish Dancer have been undertaken by film archives, and surviving prints are available on modern home video formats. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: October 7 1923 Original Studio / Distributor: Famous Players–Lasky / Paramount Pictures Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #TheSpanishDancer1923 #PolaNegri #HerbertBrenon #SilentFilm #HistoricalRomance #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain