Zaza, the ever-popular David Belasco-produced stage drama by Pierre Breton and Charles Simon, was first brought to the screen by Famous Players. Taking over from the original production's Mrs. Leslie Carter in the title role was the equally talented Pauline Frederick. The story is the familiar one of a popular French music-hall performer who falls in love with Dufrene (Julian L'Estrange, a wealthy and married nobleman. Humiliated by her furtive back-street romance with her rich paramour, Zaza vows to ruin the man but finds that she can't go through with it. When Dufrene's wife conveniently dies, it appears as if a happy ending is inevitable, but don't count on it. Zaza was remade in 1923 with Gloria Swanson and in 1939 with Claudette Colbert; both remakes were produced by Famous Players'successor, Paramount Pictures.
by Hal Erickson
synopsis
