Mae Murray by Michael G. Ankerich

Author:Michael G. Ankerich
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky
Published: 2013-03-03T16:00:00+00:00

Hollywood made much ado about the two Mdivani princesses. In this cartoon, Mae and Pola Negri are responding to the speculation that their husbands might be phony princes, ca. 1928. Author’s collection.

“There seems to be an overstock of Princesses Mdivani,” columnist Harry Carr, who never missed a chance to jab Mae, quipped. “You know how ’tis . . . When you have put a lot of money into a new gown—guaranteed to be exclusive design—and then go to a grand ball and see the same dress sweeping by on another girl.”16

Not to be outdone, Mae announced that she and David would soon embark on a world tour that would take them on a big game hunt through Africa. London and Paris were first on their itinerary. By the time they pulled out of New York Harbor on April 27, the Hollywood community was abuzz. Were Prince and Princess Mdivani really heading to Paris for the wedding? Was Mae insisting on congratulating her new sister-in-law in person?

The press questioned the Mdivani family in Paris about David and Mae’s intentions. Serge said that his brother had not contacted him about his travel plans, and because Mae had been so secretive about their itinerary, he would not offer them an invitation. Serge’s friends said they were not surprised by the family’s decision not to extend the invitation, as Mae and Pola had never been great friends.17

Perhaps it was Papa Mdivani who decided against inviting David and Mae to the big event. Pola was reduced to tears when Zakhari Mdivani was quoted as being “bitterly opposed to having too many motion-picture stars in the family.”18

When Mae arrived in Southampton on the S.S. Berengaria, reporters questioned her about a possible spat between the divas. “We are friends, but I will not be in Paris at the time. In any case, Pola is not a part of my life. I know nothing about her wedding.” In London later that day, Mae again addressed questions about her plans. “I don’t know anything about the wedding. I know Pola, but our interests are entirely different. My husband left the ship at Cherbourg to attend to some business in France and will join me in London. We plan to sail to Africa for the first real holiday I have had for five years.”19

While hundreds of invited guests gathered at the Chateau de Ruell on May 14 to witness Pola’s shedding of her title as Countess Dambski, Pola and Serge stole quietly to the little town of Serraincourt, where they were married in front of the town’s mayor. Prince and Princess David Mdivani were not among the well-wishers.20

While the hordes of movie fans might have been impressed by another Hollywood royal, those who knew the actresses best merely rolled their eyes.

Wrote screenwriter Frances Marion, “While the purchasing price had been exceedingly high, Mae Murray and Pola Negri could look down at the peasants now forced to address them as Princess, and think what a moment of supreme triumph this was

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