The Bartered Bride, 1909, Emil Pollert (Kecal) Photo: Karel Váňa.

historical photography - Emil Pollert (1877-1935) remained for 35 years (from 1900 to 1935) at the National Theatre. He always managed to get a wide spectrum of facial expressions, rich gestures and lively acting. No wonder that his performance of Kecal is captured well in the first film adaptation of The Bartered Bride in 1913 - a silent version, and also in the first sound version in 1933.