Heart of an Actress (1924)

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Heart of an Actress
("Artist's soul")

Cinedrama written and produced
by Germaine Dulac, 1924,
after the work of Chr. K. F. Molbeck.

Parts

London is celebrating Christmas...

Helen Taylor is rapidly becoming the
favourite actress of the London theatre.

Morris, Helen's father, her
advisor on the stage and in life.

A fervent admiror, Herbert Campbell.

Philipps, director of the theatre.

...and his principal shareholder,
lord Stamford.

"No choices!"

Maybe you say, if you read these verses,
"Another unwelcome!" But no-one knows,

that an unknown poet gave you his soul
and one of your looks is his universe.

You're beauty, charm, and sorrow.
You are Beatrice, Marguerite, Ophelia.

in a breath of dream of ardent madness,
the madman at your knees
has only one heart for you

"I would like to meet my unknown
poet. I wonder what he looks like!"

"Your poet, dear friend, has the sense
to live in a nice place where we can
go tomorrow by car, if you want it."

"Please agree to accept
this christmas present."

"So, you too are on your
knees for that sheep!"

I ask you to excuse me, but tonight,
we celebrate this party at home.

Edith, the wife of Herbert Campbell.

Madame Spencer, Edith's mother.

"Here is what you get for having married a
good for nothing writer. He spends all you
got, but is unable to bring back a penny."

The party at home.

"Little one, stay only a great artist
and don't play, like other women,
with jewels and with hearts."

The laurels of Tasse.

"Oh, papa, what a pretty walk."

To the marvellous talent of Helen Taylor,
I dedicate this work. Herbert Campbell.

"The broken glass, papa!"

"It seems normal to me that
Herbert goes with us to church."

"The thought of a poet,
isn't that a prayer?"

"Monsieur Campbell, I was
curious to know my poet."

"You... You here!"

"Milord, protect this play, the
first that's dedicated to me!"

"Bring your play to the theatre. I will
bring it to the attention of the director."

"I thought that poets wore long hair
and glasses. He isn't bad at all."

"Leave Herbert alone. He is free."

"I won't allow you to receive
theatre girls in my house!"

"Because he is here, I will
choose another abode."

"And now to accomodate
your pretty friends.."

"Life is becoming impossible here,
I can't support it much longer."

"You want to get together with
Miss Helen Taylor. I'm no fool!"

"Come, console yourself. If he left
home, on what money would he live?"

He who had become a house guest...

"You are exquisite, and others
than myself will repeat that."

Extase.

...and lord Stamford is
always attended to...

"He's lost his head and
behaves like a boy."

Jealousy.

Lord Stamford has only just escaped
from those jokes in bad taste, when...

"I drink to your health, you old Adonis."

"For my part, what a cheerful
scene are you rehearsing..."

"How those children make me hot..."

"Don't waste your time reading that play
by Campbell. I've changed my mind."

When the guests have left.

"The joys of art should have sufficed
for you, petite... love... only tears!!"

"I knew that you would come back."

"My poor dear!"

"Edith, we have to get divorced."

"Remember!"
He remembered...

"Have pity on me, Edith!"

"Could she have pity?"

Since she no longer had his
love... what good to fight?

"I give you your freedom."

First big disappointment.

National Theatre. Dear sir, Please find
enclosed the return of the manuscript

of your play "Heart of an actress" that we
are sadly unable to read at this moment.

"I do not wish, dear friend, that the
stock of refused manuscripts would
become an extensive library!"

"I await you in one hour!"

"Go to lord Stamford in the
soir?e, he will receive you."

So much luxury dazzles Helen.

"Souvenirs of the countries I have
travelled... Do you like voyages?"

"I would love them, but I
have never left London."

"The burning sand of the Egyptian
landscape will captivate you."

"That reminds me of the
mysterious colours of the far east."

"I beg you, read the play,
it must be performed!"

"What fire, miss Helen!"

"I want you to listen from here
to my meeting with your prot?g?."

"Friends of Helen Taylor
are friends of mine."

"I've come to plead your protection
against an injustice..."

"It's the manuscript of the work I've
already shown you. I possess no other."

"I want to help you. For four thousand
livres, will you cede to me your
rights to your manuscript...?"

"...that I will use as I see
fit, even if it pleases me
to see it go up in smoke...

"Don't say destroy, say transform.
Exchange the ideal for the reality
and for the things that matter in life."

"Listen to me. Let's talk
seriously, as businessmen."

"I love Miss Helen Taylor. Leave London
and your play shall be performed."

"Your play shall be
performed. I swear it..."

"When dividing the drama that you
start rehearsing tomorrow, only
give Miss Taylor the second role."

Far away from compromise.

"My future mother-in-law or my
future sister-in-law. Herbert nevers
talks to me about his family...

"I'm the wife of Herbert Campbell."

"I love my husband... But
never doubt that I sacrifice
myself for his happiness..."

"Madam... forgive me, I didn't know..."

"Here is the copy that I made of Herbert's
work. He does not know if its existence.

I forgive you my lost life
if this play is performed."

"There is a love that makes humble
and that sacrifices itself..."

"Who is sacrificed... Of your
love and of mine, which one
do you believe the strongest?"

"Who can carry the heaviest burden..."

I have just met your wife. I think
that it's best never to see you again.

I beg you, try to forget me
like I will try to forget you. Helen.

Overcoming her pain...
always attentive at work, Helen...

"The first role does not suit you. Evelyna
will have it. You will take the second."

"I refuse to play..."

"What does it matter my dear!
She thinks she is a star!"

"Yet is isn't solely her
talent who launched it..."

"Well, I've put her in her place!
She became unbearable!"

"I ask you to come quickly.
Miss Taylor is all in tears."

"Go up to the office of Philipps,
you will find Miss Helen Taylor
in the arms of a worshipper."

"I've come to reclaim my manuscript."

"Father, go find Herbert's
manuscript in my room."

"This play which was dedicated to your
pretty soul no longer has a right to be.
You are not who I thought you was!"

"You will see, milord! I don't need
your money to destroy my work."

"Forgive me. I would like to repair all
this pain. I am your humble servant."

Sacrificing herself, Helen perseveres in
her ambiguous attitude. Fame in fiery
letters is not identical to happiness.

HEART OF AN ACTRESS
BY WILLIAM HERBERT

National Theatre, tonight the premiere of
HEART OF AN ACTRESS BY WILLIAM HERBERT

Tragedy in five acts by William Herbert.
Helen Taylor in the role of Cornelia.

"An unknown author,
future glory, they say...'

"Madam, I've been able to keep
the promiss that I made to you.
Your husband's play shall be played.

I send you a loge for the night.
Come see me backstage after the 1.
With all my sympathy, Helen Taylor."

DINING ROOM

Bill of fare
Cret from the joint 1/3
with veg

The same evening...

HEART OF AN ACTRESS

The work of her husband.

"I dream only of glory,
and love enslaves me."

"Be blessed, o you
who protect the arts..."

My altar is turned over.
The strings of my lyre are broken,
my song goes out forever.

I only see suffering around me.
I say goodbye to life, begging
Edith to forgive me. Herbert.

"All honours are vainty,
away from your smile..."

"It's not your scoundrel of a husband
who has written a play like this one."

At the end of the first act, the success
is heard in triumph. The most difficult
murmur the word "masterpiece".

"He believes to have destroyed
his work, not knowing the
existance of your manuscript."

"A brillaint work, messieurs, played in
secret from the author... A nice story!"

"The wife of the author."

"You see, Philipps, succes
crowns your kindness."

"Milord, you have helped me to repair
an unjustice. We have acted well."

"I want him to be here when his
name is called; Miss Helen Taylor
has found out his address."

For the first time Edith penetrates
in the miserable house to which
the poverty of Herbert had fled.

"The centuries will learn
your name, o poet!"

"Author! Author!"

"Author!"

"An announcement must
be made immediately."

"Ladies and gentlemen. The author
of the play, Herbert Campbell,
victim of an accident, is dying."

"I wanted to do good
and I've only done bad."

"Oh, those poets! They never do
anything like the rest! Die on the
night of a triumphant premi?re!"

"He is saved!"

"I've always had the obscure
role of protecting artists, so...