The Way of Lost Souls [The Woman He Scorned] *** (1929, Pola Negri, Warwick Ward, Hans Rehmann, Cameron Carr, Margaret Rawlings) – Classic Movie Review 13,828 

Director Paul Czinner’s 1929 synchronised score sound British drama film The Way of Lost Souls stars Pola Negri as a prostitute who falls in love with a lighthouse keeper.

In Polish stage and film actress Pola Negri’s 1929 British film debut The Way of Lost Souls [The Woman He Scorned], she plays a prostitute called Louise, caught in a love triangle between a nasty gambler, Maxim (Warwick Ward), and a Cornish lighthouse keeper, John (Hans Rehmann), with predictably tragic results.

Let us respect for its cinematic interest and historical value this antediluvian tearjerker, with its silent-movie style acting and a story that seems like it is torn from the pages of Victorian pulp fiction. Pola Negri’s iconic appearance, the film’s doomy poetic mood, and Adolf Schlasy’s Cornwall location cinematography are its main points of appeal.

Made at the dawn of sound, the film has no audible dialogue but does have a synchronised score, singing and sound effects.

The Way of Lost Souls (aka The Woman He Scorned) (1929) is directed by Paul Czinner, runs 94 minutes, is made by Charles Whittaker Productions and Imperial Filmgesellschaftr, is released by Warner Bros (UK) and Bayerische Film (Germany), is written by Charles E Whittaker, from a story by Paul Czinner, is shot in black and white by Adolf Schlasy, is produced by Paul Czinner, and is designed by Clarence Elder.

It was filmed on location at Mevagissey, Cornwall, England, and around St Ives, Penzance and Helford.

It was Czinner’s first film made in Britain.

Cast: Pola Negri as Louise, Warwick Ward as Maxim, Hans Rehmann as John, Cameron Carr as Magistrate, Margaret Rawlings as Woman.

Pola Negri (born Barbara Apolonia Chałupiec, 3 January 1897 – 1 August 1987) was a sex symbol of her time and famous worldwide for her tragic roles.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,828

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