Picture Play Magazine (Sep 1923 - Feb 1924)

As the scene was finished the director rushed over to give Madame Bernhardt some dark glasses to protect her eyes. The Last Role of Sarah Bernhardt One who was privileged to watch her at work, shortly before her death, on a motion picture which you probably will have an opportunity of" seeing before very long, describes it for you. By Daphne Carr AT her age! and I have never seen her act better," r\ said a great actor, his eyes dimmed with tears, of Madame Sarah Bernhardt but a few days before her death. The incident took place in Madame Bernhardt's home on the Boulevard Perierre. The actor was Harry Baur, who had been personally chosen by Madame Bernhardt to take a leading role in the motion picture which she considered her last gift to the world. Plans for the picture had been evolved during one of Madame Bernhardt's periods of frail health. At last her doctors said that she was strong enough to play, and her own determination prevailed. She would create the role. "Quand meme," her motto of "Just the same" was not to be dropped because of age or ill health. To prevent unnecessary fatigue the working studio was arranged in her own house. Her famous conservatory was transformed from a veritable treasure house of objets d'art into a typical Montmartre living room, the home of an aged clairvoyant. Where priceless paintings and rich cloth of gray and gold once covered the walls, a surface, bare except for ordinary wall paper and a few simple prints, was visible. Where a handsome carved table, the gift of a European monarch, had stood, an inexpensive and serviceable table took its place. But for the battery of arc and mercury lights, the uninitiated visitor might have fancied himself in the room of a modest scholar, and at the same time would have been impressed by the sense that a strange and wonderful personality inhabited the room. I saw Madame Bernhardt when she was carried into the studio on a sort' of improvised palanquin for her first session before the camera. " Bonjour, messieurs .'" and with an inimitable gesture she caused an abrupt silence in the little group of assistants. Proud and smiling, in spite of infirmity, she was carried in as only royalty is carried, the bearers four servants who had remained with her through the triumphs and troubles of years. A dozen arms reached for the honor of helping to lower the palanquin. In the midst of an awe-struck silence she was placed in her chair behind the Clairvoyant's table. The mercury lights sputtered. Spot lights played in a weird way from concealed locations. Every one was ill at ease with the exception of Madame Bernhardt, who at once interested herself in the technical end of the arrangements, seemingly oblivious to the profound impression that her personality produced on us. To avoid any sacrifice of the great actress' strength, work was immediately begun, Cameras and lights were trained on her. In the midst of a superb gesture she suddenly stopped, and with a gracious smile demanded Jaqueline. Who was Jaqueline ? The director remembered. He snapped his fingers and a trained monkey, which, in the play, takes the part of the clairvoyant's servant and pet, appeared. A slight motion of Madame Bernhardt's hand and Jaqueline leaped to her lap. From somewhere the great artiste produced two crackers and a banana. While Jaqueline nibbled these delicacies the Continued on page 88