"PLANS TO MARRY AT END OF FOUR MONTH TEST"

NEGRI-VALENTINO 'TRIAL BETROTHAL' ANNOUNCED

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) Associated Press reports on March 7, 1926 "that Pola Negri today announced a 'trial betrothal' to Rudolph Valentino*."

The plans are for the two movie stars to marry "at the end of a four-month test."  Pola describes Rudolph as "the supreme man."  She says that he is "my great love."

Miss Negri does not care for the word "engagement."  She feels it sounds too much like a "business arrangement."

If at the end of the four-month period their love "remains the same," they will become man and wife.

JFK+50 NOTE

Apparently, Valentino & Negri never married.  There is information online that Valentino never acknowledged an engagement to Negri.  He was married to Jean Acker, 1921-1923 & Natacha Rambova, 1923-1925.

*Rudolph Valentino (1895-1926) was born in Castellaneta, Italy.  RV was called "The Latin Lover" & known for his exotic screen persona, romantic intensity & expressive performances.

SOURCE

"Rudolph And Pola Betrothal On Trial," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., March 7, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Rudolph Valentino & Pola Negri

Hotel Ambassador

Los Angeles, California

1926

Collection of Mariusz Kotowski

"POLA NEGRI'S PUMPS & GLORIA SWANSON'S CAPE"

GREAT DEALS MADE AT PARAMOUNT'S ANNUAL SALE

Hollywood, California (JFK+50) The annual sale of the wardrobe department of the Paramount West Coast Studio was held here in Hollywood on March 6, 1926.

Costumes worn by actresses but "too soiled for further use" were put up for bid to "hundreds of women" who "fought for advantageous places" at the annual sale.

Associated Press reports a shopgirl bought Pola Negri's* Parisian pumps "for a few cents" while Gloria Swanson's** "gorgeous cape" brought five bucks.

*Barbara Apolonia Chalupiec, aka Pola Negri, (1897-1987) was born in Lipno, Poland & won world wide fame as a stage & film actress & singer during the 1920s.

**Gloria Mae Josephine Swanson (1899-1983) was born in Chicago, Illinois & became a silent screen star actress nominated for 3 Academy Awards & winning the Golden Globe Award (1950).  She hired JFK's father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. to handle her financial affairs in 1927.

SOURCE

"Shopgirl Cinderella Owns Pola Negri Pumps," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 6, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Pola Negri in Sumuran

Movie Card (1920)

"CHARLIE CHAPLIN SAYS MARRIAGE IS NO CRIME"

SOURCES SAY CHARLIE CHAPLIN & POLA NEGRI ARE ENGAGED

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) On November 25, 1922, the Los Angeles Times reported that motion picture comedian Charlie Chaplin* is engaged to Polish "screen tragedienne" Pola Negri**.

Mr. Chaplin would not confirm or deny the report saying..."any such announcement must...come from her."

The popular comedy star added..."marriage is no crime."

JFK+50 NOTE

Although the Chaplin-Negri affair was well-publicized, their relationship soured & they never married.  If marriage had been a crime Charlie Chaplin would have been guilty on four counts.  His wives were Mildred Harris (1918-1920), Lita Grey (1924-1927), Paulette Goddard (1936-1942) & Oona O'Neil (1943-1977).

Alisha Miranda writes "off screen, a string of marital affairs, estranged children and alleged abuse with actresses half his age plagued (Chaplin's) reputation."

*Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, Jr. (1889-1977) was born in London & became a comic actor, filmmaker & composer.  CSC started in the silent film era & his "City Lights" (1931) is regarded as one of his finest.  CSC received 3 Academy Awards & an honorary AA in 1972.

**Pola Negri (1897-1987) was born in Poland & achieved fame in the silent & golden eras of Hollywood & European films.  She became a sex symbol on the silver screen.  

SOURCES

"Charlie Chaplin's Wives:  Inside Hollywood's First Love Scandals," by Alisha Miranda, June 3, 2020, Biography, www.biography.com/

"Chaplin to Marry Pola Negri," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., November 25, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

"The Kid"

Charlie Chaplin & Jackie Coogan

1921

First National Pictures

 

 

Pola Negri 

Sumurun

German Movie Card

1920