At the same time, Waszyński did have something of a prince in him. As the actress Zofia Wilczyńska, who played in three of his pre-war films, remembered:
There was something unique about Waszynski, his refined behaviour […] In addition, Misha had an extraordinary presence, a handsome face with expressive features, a thin nose, and voice full of charm, which prompted an immediate obedience.
From ‘Człowiek, Który Chciał Być Księciem’ by S. Blumenfeld
In the image of Waszyński, it’s difficult to distinguish true from false, and his authentic face from one of his masks. His incredible ability to invent himself, however, is what makes him one of the most intriguing characters in the history of Polish cinema.
Originally written in Polish, translated by Lauren Dubowski, May 2021
Sources: Barbara Armatys, Leszek Armatys, Film fabularny w latach 1930-1934, [w:] Historia filmu polskiego, tom II, 1930-1939, red. B. Armatys, L. Armatys, W. Stradomski, Warszawa 1988; Samuel Blumenfeld, Człowiek, który chciał być księciem, przeł. M. Żurowska, Warszawa 2008; J. Steiner, Radjo składa wizytę filmowi, „Kino” 1935, nr 43 (27 X); Jerzy Toeplitz, Historia sztuki filmowej III, 1928-1933, Warszawa 1959; Edward Zajiček, Poza ekranem. Kinematografia polska 1896-2005, Warszawa 2009