Pavlov(a)’s dog … of a movie

We recently wrote about Anna Pavlova’s undistinguished foray into Hollywood in 1915 to star in “The Dumb Girl of Portici” at Universal Pictures under female director Lois Weber.

That’s Pavlova getting manhandled on the left. At the far right stands Weber, megaphone in her hand. Espying the chaos, bedecked in jodphurs and kneeboots, is Weber’s husband, Philips Smalley.

That’s quite a crowd scene — could use a good choreographer. If you look closely you’ll see an upside-down guy. Click for the close-up.

_{photo: courtesy Marc Wanamaker, Bison Archives}