Extra! Hebrew Hollywood Hottie Risks Life for U.S. Troops
by Robert J. AvrechIn 1918, Theda Bara was one of three great stars in Hollywood. Leading in popularity and box office appeal was Mary Pickford. Charlie Chaplin came second. And not far behind these two giants of the silver screen, Theda Bara.
She was the hottest sex symbol to hit the motion picture screen since, well, since the flickers started flickering. Bara was, the Vamp, the sexually insatiable woman, the lethal seductress who sucks the life out of a man, then abandons him, leaving only chaos and destruction in her wake.
This was, of course, a carefully created image.
Theda Bara as Cleopatra, 1917, a lost film.
Theda Bara was, in fact, Theodosia Burr Goodman, (1885-1955) a Jewish woman from Cincinnati who led a quiet and scandal free private life. In fact, she was a bookworm who liked nothing better than to curl up with a cup of tea and devour volume after volume of poetry and art history. She did not drink alcohol, go to night clubs, take drugs, or indulge in wild sexual escapades. She worked hard in the flourishing motion picture industry, saved money, stayed married to one man, director Charles Brabin, and wisely invested her considerable earnings.
A world-weary, hardened show-biz trooper who failed all efforts at a legitimate stage career, Theda got a break in pictures and patiently cooperated with the outlandish publicity which claimed she was born in the shadow of the Egyptian pyramids, the pampered child of a beautiful French actress and an Italian sculptor.
Fox studio publicity men Al Selig and John Goldfrap—flamboyant geniuses who invented the playbook on celebrity publicity—further embellished this nutty tale as they coached Theda to speak to the press with a heavy French accent.
Theda Bara was labeled: The Wickedest Woman in the World.
Draped in velvet cloaks in an overheated hotel room—the press was told that she was accustomed to the desert climate of her native Egypt—Theda dramatically announced to the assembled reporters:
“Raised in a huge tent not far from the Sphinx, the oasis, our little home for years, was to us like the Garden of Eden. My mother taught me the languages, expression, and the art of pantomime. On the other hand, my father taught me how to paint, and the beauty and combination of colors. And through the instruction of both I learned the symphony of the soul.”
At the height of Theda’s career, while filming “The Forbidden Path,” and during World War I, Theda received a telegram that she lovingly preserved in one of her huge, crumbling scrapbooks:
Feb.11, 1918: 158th Infantry Regiment selected you for its Godmother by unanimous vote today. This regiment composed of Arizona men all sincere admirers of yourself. Mary Pickford has adopted 143rd Artillery Regiment here. Will be greatly disappointed if you turn us down. Please wire your acceptance at once.
Theda Bara’s brother Marque, was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in the Signal Corps. In 1917 Theda was asked to sign the American flag carried by a company of volunteers from York, Pennsylvania. Graciously, Theda autographed the stars and stripes. In gratitude the regiment sent her an ebony communion cup—unaware that she was Jewish.
This request from the 158th was profoundly touching to the patriotic movie star. She adopted the troops as her boys and finally got to meet the entire regiment in June 1918. She broke down and wept as she spoke to the star-struck soldiers.
“My heart is too full—words can’t come. This has been the most glorious day of my whole life.”
The soldiers responded by rewriting their marching song, doing their maneuvers to: “Vamp, Vamp, Vamp. The Boys are Marching!”
Theda, along with Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were the most effective war bond salespeople in the United States. In 1917, on the steps of the New York Public Library, Theda sold $70,000 in bonds a single afternoon. She returned in November and sold another $300,000 worth of bonds during several rallies.
In times past, Hollywood actors and executives were deeply patriotic. As Jack Warner explained to Louella Parsons in 1941:
“My brothers and I are examples of what this country does for its citizens. There were no silver spoons in our mouths when we were born. If anything, there were shovels. But we were free to climb as high as our energy and brains could take us.”
As a first generation American—her father, a Polish born tailor, and her mother from Switzerland—Theda Bara most obviously loved America, and like all first generation American Jews, was grateful for the golden opportunities this land offered. This great movie star went out of her way to support her country and the brave troops who sacrificed so much on the bloody western front.
Theda Bara as Cleopatra.
In 1918-19 a flu epidemic swept across the United States. The motion picture business was hard hit. All across the country, film and stage shows closed, people wore cotton masks in the street. In October, one hundred and ninety-six thousand people died of influenza in America. World-wide, forty-million people lost their lives, far more casualties than combat deaths in the Great War.
Theda Bara, the vamp who made love to men and then cruelly destroyed them, in an act of incredible bravery and compassion, visited veteran’s hospitals while the flu was still raging.
She refused to wear a face mask, insisting that the veterans should have a chance to look their idol’s face.
That is a genuine movie star.
And a stark contrast to the bratty and ever so fashionable leftist celebrities who imitate—and quite badly—movies stars in contemporary tinsel town.
Theda Bara as The Vamp, publicity photo, 1915
During the mid 50’s, in one of her last interviews, Theda Bara spoke with Hedda Hopper about silent films and the essence of Hollywood stardom: glamor and mystery.
“To understand those days, you must consider that people believed what they saw on the screen. Nobody had destroyed the great illusion. Now they know it’s all make-believe… It’s the stars themselves who have been failing the fans. People have always been hungry for glamor—they still are. But it takes showmanship and a constant sense of responsibility to hold their interest. A star musn’t allow her public to see her in slacks. She should dress beautifully at all times—I don’t mean in a bizarre way. She must live their dreams for them and remain a figure of mystery. Glamor is the most essential part of Hollywood.”
Theda Bara, Motion Picture Magazine
For the information in this brief profile, I am indebted to Eve Golden’s book Vamp: The Rise and Fall of Theda Bara. A fine biography of this important star, highly recommended.
Theda Bara made forty-two feature films between 1914 and 1926. At the height of her fame she was earning $4,000 a week. Keep in mind that those were the days before income taxes. Complete prints of only six films still exist. In 1937 there was a massive fire at Fox’s nitrate film storage vaults in New Jersey destroying most of the studio’s silent films, and the majority of Theda Bara movies. The rest were lost to nitrate deterioration or destroyed by uncaring studios. The four complete films—The Stain (1914), A Fool There Was (1915), East Lynne (1916), and The Unchastened Woman (1925)—to judge by reviews and articles, are not her best work. The loss of Cleopatra, save for 40 seconds, is particularly cruel. The costumes and sets, glimpsed in publicity stills, are stunning. Also lost are: Du Barry, Carmen, Salome, and Camille. Still photos from all four productions hint at deliriously lush productions.
A Fool There Was, 1915 DVD starring Theda Bara, May Allison, Victor Benoit. The film that made Theda Bara an overnight sensation. And yup, this is the movie where Theda commands: “Kiss me, you fool!”
Theda Bara.net
Denny Jackson’s Theda Bara Page
Silent Ladies & Gents, Theda Bara: Photo Galleries
Theda Bara: Silent Star of the Month
Theda Bara IMDb
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97 Comments
That was simply beautiful. Thank you.
There seems to be the genesis of a great story here- the honest and clean living woman who played dirty on the screen… pretty much the mirror opposite of most Hollywood females today. We remember a kindly grandfather WW1 vet speaking kindly of her and others for their support. It reminds one somewaht of the story of Moe Berg, the baseball player turned American secret agent. Both great tales that need to be told…
Awesome. Vamp is going on my reading list. And I think I fell in love reading this blog, she was gorgeous.
http://lonewolfarcher.blogspot.com
$4,000 per week = $208,000 per annum – GREAT money for 1914-1928 (and NO income taxes)! I also read somewhere that "Theda Bara" was an anagram for "Arab death". She was a very gutsy woman to visit veterans' hospital where the threat of influenza infection was high. And that quote in the Hedda Hopper interview, "it takes showmanship and a constant sense of responsibility to hold their interest. A star musn’t allow her public to see her in slacks," – nowadays, we see starlets (I won't deign to call them "female actors") with tattoos and looking like they were dressed by blind hippies in some Good Will store after dark (and these are for the award show appearances).
I was born too late. : (
I fell in love upon reading this line, "In fact, she was a bookworm who liked nothing better than to curl up with a cup of tea and devour volume after volume of poetry and art history."
All that and a patriot, now that's my kind of woman!
Lovely tribute, thank you for it. One small quibble: I believe the line was "Kiss me, my fool." The movie is sticky going these days, mostly a curio. But she has presence that still registers down the years.
She did well for herself. When you read enough Hollywood actor bios you realize that anyone who gets out with a nest egg, a happy marriage, decent health and intact sanity was way, way ahead of the game. Still, she apparently did miss stardom. In Griffith and Mayer's The Movies they tell us that she was listed "at liberty" in the Hollywood casting directory almost to the day she died.
She sounds kind of like me, with more glamour, of course.
I had a chance to see A Fool There Was' a few months ago — my first Theda movie, and my biggest regret was to learn that most of her movies no longer exist. She was that good. So imagine my surprise when I first learned that she was not this exotic foreign "vamp" as I had believed (and even my grandparents had told me), but a Jewish American Ohioan who was the complete opposite of what she portrayed on the screen. Reading your lovely article only makes me admire her more: as a star of the highest caliber, a strong patriot and a bookworm after my own heart. Your reading suggestions will be going on my Amazon wish list! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. (Wish some of today's so-called female stars would follow her example).
Mr. Avrech, (may I call you Robert?) You are becoming my favorite writer on this site. Thank you for that piece. I'm going to buy Vamp (on line) too.
My favorite movie star! Thank you, Robert, for this wonderful appreciation.
For the last few years, a documentary on Bara called "The Woman With the Hungry Eyes" has been in production, but it's never been officially released. Which is a shame, because it has clips from both "East Lynne" and "Cleopatra" in it.
Thunderbottom, "Theda Bara" really is an anagram for "Arab Death," and Eve Golden thinks that the publicity men figured it out pretty quickly, though they held it back until they had a really big film – like "Cleopatra" – to use it on. But in fact, it was Bara's own invention: "Theda" as short for her given name of "Theodosia," and "Bara" as a clipped version of "Baranger," her mother's maiden name.
Thanks for a good read.
“To understand those days, you must consider that people believed what they saw on the screen. Nobody had destroyed the great illusion. Now they know it’s all make-believe… It’s the stars themselves who have been failing the fans.
This struck me the most. In the old days, the audience believed the illusion of the stars and what they portrayed. Today, it is the stars who are believing the illusion. They really believe their own illusion.
And thank you, Mr. Avrech for this vignette. Very interesting.
A beautiful, patriotic essay, Mr A.
And whoever wrote that … " Raised in a huge tent not far from the Sphinx…" speech for Theda was a lyrical genius.
I like that phony biography so much, I'm stealing it for my Obituary!
Too true.
Even though Bara was a manufactured celebrity, she was far more alluring and interesting than the Britneys/Lindseys/Anna Nicoles/Taras of the present. She had class and style. The rest are just publicity hungry whores who act like (or are) sluts.
Great history. I've only known Theda as the eternal "Vamp". The reality of the woman is so much more impressive.
Robert wrote; "At the height of her fame she was earning $4,000 a week. Keep in mind that those were the days before income taxes."
————-
Actually, I believe the income tax was ratified in 1913.
Great column.
Another Jewish star who changed her name. There would be less anti-semitism in the world if so many Jews didn't hide their identities.
Touching and inspiring – makes me want to rent as many Bara films as I can! Please keep these tributes coming, they are invaluable.
Don't forget the Gwyneths and Umas.
You're correct -1913! BUT the Treasury web site notes that tax rates ranged from 1% all the way to 7% (for those making more than $500,000 per annum) and that only about 1% of the population paid taxes back then…
Again — well done, Robert!
Oh, and the Roger Ebert Film Festival (http://www.ebertfest.com/welcome.html) is showing The Last Command this year as its silent film classic… how do you rate it?
Like I say, " BIG HOLLYWOOD " is ALWAYS Fun AND Educational !
Thank you, Joey ! ; )
This is the perfect story for this site. To your point, there is a great book on Moe Berg, "The Catcher Who Was a Spy". My favorite part of the book is while Berg is on a tour of Japan as part of an all-star team, he is taking photos and gathering intelligence for the U.S. Like the missing and forgotten movies of Bara, much of who and what Berg did is lost to the ages because he was a private and secretive man.
Bonnie:
Thanks so much for the kind words.
dcase:
A screenwriter friend of mine was hired years ago to write the Moe Greenberg story.
Sigh.
Never got off the ground.
LoneWolf Archer:
Theda Bara is a unique figure in movie history. Though her best films are lost, most everyone is aware of her vamp image.
Thunderbottom:
Regarding the anagram. I'm pretty sure that was never part of the original equation. I think somebody saw the Arab Death later on, and then claimed that it was part of the stunt.
Taggart Snyder:
Join the club:-)
Steven:
Theda Bara was extraordinary in her un-extraordinariness.
Campaspe:
Thanks so much for the kind words and for the correction. I wrote form memory and should have checked. That's what I get for my laziness.
Theda Bara did try several comebacks, on stage and on screen, but they never panned out. Her man-eating image and acting style were quickly out of fashion. And let's keep in mind that the shelf life for a Hollywood star, then and now, is about six years. Lillian Gish, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had careers that are unique in their longevity. But their private lives were turbulent, unstable and littered with failed marriages and profoundly dysfunctional relationships. (Less so for Gish.) Pursuing stardom takes a huge toll. Maintaining stardom is so all consuming that it usually ends up destroying any genuine sense of self. Narcissism, a prerequisite for most actors, devours all. Theda Bara, in her later years, baked chocolate chip cookies for the children on her block. In and of itself that's a form of miniature stardom that resonates with me.
Campaspe:
Thanks so much for the kind words and for the correction. I wrote form memory and should have checked. That's what I get for my laziness.
Theda Bara did try several comebacks, on stage and on screen, but they never panned out. Her man-eating image and acting style were quickly out of fashion. And let's keep in mind that the shelf life for a Hollywood star, then and now, is about six years. Lillian Gish, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had careers that are unique in their longevity. But their private lives were turbulent, unstable and littered with failed marriages and profoundly dysfunctional relationships. (Less so for Gish.) Pursuing stardom takes a huge toll. Maintaining stardom is so all consuming that it usually ends up destroying any genuine sense of self. Narcissism, a prerequisite for most actors, devours all. Theda Bara, in her later years, baked chocolate chip cookies for the children on her block. In and of itself that's a form of miniature stardom that resonates with me.
silentmoviefan:
First of all, love your cyber name! And I'm with you, the loss of Theda Bara films is not just sad, but tragic. She was an amazing woman in that she was really so ordinary. Television put the nail in Hollywood glamor. Actors are exposed on talk shows as—almost always—dopey and self-absorbed fools. As soon as you sit down on Jay Leno's couch, all the mystery is gone. It's the great equalizer. Just look at Obama; he reduced the majesty and dignity of his office, turned POTUS into just another yapping celebrity.
wag a muffin:
Please call me Robert. Can I call you Muffy:-)
I take my obligations as your favorite Big Hollywood scribe very seriously. Thanks so much. Let me know how you like Eve Golden's book. I also recommend her bio of Jean Harlow.
Very nice article. Thank you for writing it. I never knew anything about Bara.
Makes me kinda miss the mystery and illusion that was Hollywood. Everything is so in your face now. I don't know as I want to see every crack and flaw.
Christoper:
I actually own a copy of "The Woman With the Hungry Eyes." A reader of my blog, http://seraphicpress.com, was kind enough to send me a copy as a gift. It's pretty darn good.
Patricius:
You are very welcome.
Miko:
As I wrote in an above comment, TV killed Hollywood glamor. Stars are revealed in all thier flaws. I guarantee if Greta Garbo had been on some late night TV talk show, her career would have sputtered because basically she was kind of dull.
Hey Sarge:
You read it correctly as a patriotic essay. More to come. Yeah, I love the phony bio too. I should give it a test run. Much more prosaic than: "Born in Brooklyn, raised in a small apartment not far from Ebbets Field…"
Indy Republican:
I'm with you on Bara's appeal. In fact, one of the reasons I love silent Hollywood is because it's stars are marinated in mystery and glamor.
Stergeye:
Reality is usually a lot more, um, real, thus endlessly fascinating.
IamThe Macguffin:
Hey, great cyber name. Thanks so much for the correction. As I said in a comment above, I wrote from memory and didn't check several facts. Laziness pays a price. Glad you enjoyed my article. Strongly recommend Eve Golden's book.
IamThe Macguffin:
Hey, great cyber name. Thanks so much for the correction. As I said in a comment above, I wrote from memory and didn't check several facts. Laziness pays a price. Glad you enjoyed my article. Strongly recommend Eve Golden's book.
CharlesWinecoff:
Glad you like the story. I'm working on a few more patriotic profiles. It's important to point out that Hollywood once was a deeply patriotic colony. Now, it's devolved into a political correctness so left leaning that it's actually stifling to those who deviate from the party line. Jonah Goldberg correctly labels it Liberal Fascism.
CharlesWinecoff:
Glad you like the story. I'm working on a few more patriotic profiles. It's important to point out that Hollywood once was a deeply patriotic colony. Now, it's devolved into a political correctness so left leaning that it's actually stifling to those who deviate from the party line. Jonah Goldberg correctly labels it Liberal Fascism.
ProphetJoe:
Again, thanks so much.
Prophet Joe:
"The Last Command" is one of the towering films of the silent era. Masterpiece pure and simple. Let me know what you think of the film.
Suzie:
Years ago I worked very closely with a major female star who had the lead in one of my films. In the past, I kind of worshiped her. Getting to know her and all her, um, foibles, kinda cured me.
this story is way to cool to die; it will get made at some point; he was the 30's equivalent of James Bond- handsome, debonair, multi-lingual (and a pretty good ball player) who risked his life for the country he loved so dearly. We can only hope…
Well now, Mr A, in some corners of the globe, Ebbets Field has more legendary "cache" than that Sphinx with no nose !
Incidentally, the Mets new stadium, opening in a few days, is designed to replicate Ebbets Field in a number of features, most prominently the Jackie Robinson rotunda.
Fred Wilpon, part owner, personally supervised construction to ensure authenticity.
Wilpon is a Brooklyn boy, who went to Lafayette High with Sandy Koufax.
Why am I telling you ! – you probably NOSH with the guy !
Anyway, if Wilpon isn't handing you tickets, next time you're East, I'm taking you out to the ballpark – I'm not taking "No" for answer ! : )
One reason I love silent Hollywood is because it's stars were so (for the most part) silent. If only some of our starts would just be still–even for a moment. I don't begrudge actors their views. I actually don't even mind hearing how they differ from mine. I just don't appreciate being "preached to."
One reason I love silent Hollywood is because it's stars were so (for the most part) silent. If only some of our stars would just be still–even for a moment. I don't begrudge actors their views. I actually don't even mind hearing how they differ from mine. I just don't appreciate being "preached to."
Great piece! I remember in the 80's a friend of mine went as Theda Bara for Halloween. (we must have been in the last stages of trick or treating) She put together a pretty good costume (this was early 80's), but absolutely no-one knew who she was supposed to be. Absolutely tragic that so many of her films have been lost. That fire last year at Universal that damaged the vault made me cringe for that very reason…the day will come when studios will be begging people for their blu-rays to re-fill the archives.
I always think it's a little funny though when people lament the loss of old school glamor/illusion. Not talking about being flat out slovenly, but if an actress wants to go to the supermarket with no makeup and in sweats, what's the big deal? (I actually always find it a kick to see a movie star in 'civvies.' They're always so much shorter in person…) Grownups can and should recognize that films are illusion. Saying that a star should live the public's dreams for them just sounds incredibly self aggrandizing, and not a little patronizing to me. We're not talking about kids believing in Santa Claus. It's always hard to imagine that people were ever that naive. I guess times just have changed.
Unfortunately, due to the birth of our son a few days prior to the Ebert Film festival, I will not be able to screen the film in a large, beautiful theater…
Hear, hear (or is it, "Here, here?")
Robert – do you think it was TV that killed the star's allure or the death of the studio system after WW2? Maybe a bit of both? I guess the studio system went though the 50s (note the lengths they protected Rock Hudson) but now we see them flaws and all. But then the public seems to seek out the flaws
(note the tabloids at the supermarket).
I heard Clark Gable had a lot of flawed baggage (he was dull and not too intelligent from what I heard) but he is remembered as an icon, for one.
The fact that Theda went to visit the sick with the 1918 flu (which was a true pandemic when considered it killed more people than even WW1) told me she had a lot of character and reminded me of the Catholic priest who lived among the lepers in Hawaii (and later got leprosy I believe).
Most stars today are too self-centered I believe.
Robert first, thank you for the compliment about my cyber name. It is one that represents a love I've had for those wonderful movies since I saw THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with Lon Chaney when I was a child in the Seventies. But you are so right in what you replied. I look at the photographs of Valentino and Fairbanks; of Theda and some of the truly great beauties who graced the silent screens…they are still a breathtaking lot. (I just watched a beautifully put-together YouTube montage featuring Valentino's kisses — 80 years and he can still take a woman's breath away). I still see that through the Thirties: the glamour of Garbo, of Errol Flynn and Vivian Leigh. But there is something about the silent era, and I remember what Norma Desmond sadly declared in SUNSET BOULEVARD, "They took the idols and smashed them: the Fairbankses, the Gilberts, the Valentinos! And who've we got now? Some nobodies! " and of course "So they opened their big mouths and out came talk. Talk! TALK!" Not saying that every silent movie is great, but sometimes, silence WAS golden (especially when I hear the drone of some of today's ilk).
I have done some research on the local Fort Worth Censor Board and in 1915 her film, The Devil's Daughter was raided by the local police and they stop showing the film until the theater got a court order allowing them to show the film.
Robert – that was me. Didn't want to say it in the post, since it would sound like sucking up, but in any event, I'm really glad you enjoyed it. And to anyone else out there, if you hear of TWWTHE being screened near you, go and see it. You'll really fall in love with the delicious Miss Bara.
Wonderful article about a truly lovely women. My daughter is a big fan of hers for the reasons that you wrote about–that she was so completely different from what she portrayed and was such a decent person. I'm sending her this article.
I also was touched and a little amused picturing Theda Bara baking chocolate chip cookies for children.
Bill –
You're referring to Blessed Damien of Molokai.
A truly inspiring Servant of God.
Respects
Christopher:
Color me dumb. Of course it was you. The biggest surprise from the film is that it was produced by Hugh Hefner. I guess the old boy is getting sentimental in his old age. Again, thanks so much for sending me the film.
Bill:
Definitely the death of the studio system and the rise of TV, both came about at the same time. Studios used to control the stars—with an iron fist, and as soon as those shackles were loosened, stars became free-agents and were responsible for managing their own images.
Hey Sarge:
I'll take you up on your kind offer, definitely. Go Mets!
Cameron Vale:
You know what? Even when Jews are completely absent, Jew-hatred thrives. How else to explain the virus of Jew hatred in countries that are Judenrein? Not one Jew in Saudi Arabia and yet they are some of the biggest Jew-haters in the world.
ProphetJoe:
Mazal Tov! So happy for you. The Last Command is available in VHS. I bought it and transferred it to DVD for personal use.
Max:
Thanks so much for the historical nugget. Yes, in the old days, every state had their own board of censors. So films were edited and chopped up in different ways for different cities.
HardHeaded Woman:
Yes, Theda Bara handing out warm chocolate cookies is just a charming image.
maatkare:
You write: They're always so much shorter in person…
I have noticed that female silent film stars were tiny. Most barely five feet tall. A few a bit taller. Must have been the diet.
Hey robert! Hah! I had the pleasure of meeting Fay Wray once when I was at USC (I know, she wasn't a silent star but she was sort of on he cusp….) I am no amazon but I towered over her and her hand completely disappeared in mine when she shook it. Lovely lady, and she gamely signed Kong stuff and accepted the worship. (she was accepting and award for her husband Robert Riskin)
So, uh, what're you wearing — I mean reading, what are you reading?
)
Robert:
After they raided the theater, the owner sue the city of Fort Worth. Apparently, the fans in the theater were still running while they were in jail, so they burned out. The owner sued the city for damages. Also, the Fort Worth Censor Board was created in 1911 but it wasn't until a new reformed mayor was elected in 1915 that they started raiding theaters. The Fort Worth Censor Board lasted until 1966 when the rating systems was created. It was the longest running Censor Board in the state of Texas. Jane Russell and Bridget Bardot caused the Fort Worth censors a lot of problems. Theater goers had to go to Denton to see And God Created Woman until about one year after it's release. The movie distributors went to Federal Court to allow the movie to play in Fort Worth.
So what are you wearing– I mean reading, what are you reading?
)
maatkare:
Fay Wray actually started and played in quite a few silent films. Her first appearance on film was 1925, "The Coast Patrol," a silent five-reeler. And let's not forget that she starred in Erich von Stroheim's "The Wedding March," 1928. I highly recommend Wrays autobiography: "On the Other Hand." It's wise and witty and filled with Hollywood insider info.
Theda Bara is still remembered, sort of, in Chicago — for many years, the logo for the Chicago International Film Festival has been an image of her eyes.
Joshua:
I did not know that. Good for Chicago!
Robert, lovely article about a fascinating silent star.
I've seen A Fool There Was a couple of times, and have always wished to see more of Theda, but alas, as you said, her films are gone forever. Still, I was interested in that particular film because for many years, I had a a copy of the original novel by Porter Emerson Browne! (I Inherited from my grandpa.) Unfortunately, it was stored, along with most of my cool stuff, at my daughter's home in Bay St. Louis and subsequently washed away in Katrina.
BUT – if you're interested in reading it, you can find the text on Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/6305
I am old enough to remember when marketing a racy film "Banned in Boston" was prominently displayed as a badge of honor – I think I am the same age as you (58)
And Robert – you write such good stuff I have to re-read it – Know this takes away from the paying gigs but we do appreciate you!
I think I can say that most of what I have learned about old Hollywood I have learned from Robert Avrech. And it seems that the stars then were a lot less self-centered although I am sure they had their share.
If you want to see a good silent movie with a star with a self-deprecating sense of humor try and see "Show People" with Marion Davies. Made in 1928 but still funny!
Bill:
Thanks so much. I'm only too glad to take credit for your silent film education. "Show People" is absolutely one of my favorite movies evuh—silent or talkie. Marion Davies was a superb comedienne, and the cameos by a boatload of Hollywood greats is a real treat.
Max:
Fascinating glimpse into a corner of movie history. Thanks so much. Speaking of "And God Created Woman." I heard about it in my, ahem, youth. But never saw it. It did not play in Brooklyn, y'know. Anyway, I finally saw it a few months ago. Boy, is it a dopey film. But I did not care. I just sat back and watched BB.
mackinney29:
Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm curious about the novel and I'm going to follow your link. Very thoughtful of you.
Thank you so much Robert, you never disappoint! What a wonderful introduction to a beautiful and classy lady that I want to know more about, Eve Golden's book is now on my reading list.
maatkare:
Fay Wray actually started her career in silent films. Her first appearance on film was in 1925, "The Coast Patrol," a silent five-reeler. And let's not forget that she s featured in Erich von Stroheim's "The Wedding March," 1928. I highly recommend Wrays autobiography: "On the Other Hand." It's wis, witty , unpretentious and filled with nuggets of Hollywood insider info.
LindaSoG:
You're very welcome. It's a real pleasure getting such nice feedback. I'd also like to recommend Eve Golden's book: Golden Images: 41 Essays on Silent Film Stars. It's a keeper. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Images-Essays-Silent...
Enjoy. And do let me know how you like the books.
Argh! So sad her movies are gone. What a great American. Thank you for pointing out some excellent reading.
[...] Robert Avrech gives a wonderful history lesson on the patriotic actress (and Hebrew Hottie) Theda Bara. It’s nice to see, in an age where there is no love of country, an article where an actress loves his country. [...]
very nice. Now there are many actors that go to communist countries to visit their leaders. Many great actors support the troops of course, they dont get forgotten
[...] Robert J. Avrech, Big Hollywood: Hollywood Celebrates American Military Resolve – Flashback and Extra! Hebrew Hollywood Hottie Risks Life for U.S. Troops Vets on the Watch: I Miss Back When The Loud Talker: Was Obama’s Iraq Visit Staged? Pronk [...]
[...] Dye Robert J. Avrech, Big Hollywood: Hollywood Celebrates American Military Resolve – Flashback and Extra! Hebrew Hollywood Hottie Risks Life for U.S. Troops Vets on the Watch: I Miss Back When and Terrorism On The Homefront Leo Grin, Big Hollywood: NBC: [...]
[...] Additional reading: Temple of Mut: TEA PARTY SHOCKER! Babs Boxer Says We Dress too Well to be Real! and CA GOP Meets SD Tea Party Maven Founding Bloggers: Barbara Boxer Forgot About Crawford, Texas The Barton Bulletin: Could There Be A Peasant Uprising Afoot? Chuck DeVore, Big Hollywood: Barbara Boxer: A Bad Actor Gathering of Eagles: NY: Nancy Pelosi: I See Swastikas From My Bunker! Frugal Café Blog Zone: Pelosi Calls Protesters “Astro-turf” & Sen. Barbara “Don’t Call Me Ma’am” Boxer Says ObamaCare Town Hall Protesters Are “Too Well-Dressed” So Must Be Fake (video) and July 4th Tea Party – Gilbert, AZ, 2009 (video) and“Blind Hate, The Sequel”: Conservative-Bashing Garofalo Attacks Tea Partiers Again – Can Hannity Leave Her at the Zoo? and Harry Alford to John Ziegler: “Sen. Barbara Boxer Is a Racist” (video) and Priceless… Sen. Barbara Boxer Meets Dr. Evil GayPatriot: Barbara Boxer Ma’amapalooza and The more people know about Ma’am Boxer, the less likely she’ll keep her seat Stop The ACLU: Fearmongering Democrats Can’t Accept American Don’t Want Their Health Care Crap Sandwich Right Voices: VIDEO: Sen. Boxer: ‘Well-dressed’ protesters at Town Halls are out to ‘hurt our president’… Threedonia: Old People Rock! The B.S. Report: Barbara Boxer Spreading Democratic Talking Points Propaganda About Protesters Against Obamacare Gateway Pundit: Pelosi Compares Tea Party Protesters To Nazis: “They’re Carrying Swastikas” and “Racial” Senator Boxer Says Tea Party Protesters Too Well Dressed to Be Authentic and DESPITE HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE– Dem Reps Booed at Obamacare Rally Stuck On Stupid: The Aberrant Presidency Of Barack Hussein Pelosi Political Derby: The Arlen Specter spectacular and Michelle Malkin: How to dress like an “authentic” grass-roots activist and Revolt against AARP in Dallas: “Do you work for us or do we work for you?” and Protest a health care town hall; more scenes from the counterinsurgency and Dallas Tea Party activists outflank MoveOn at Obamacare protest and 37,000 at Dallas Tea Party — and next steps and Tea Party sign of the week and Live from Dallas Tea Party Nice Deb: July 4th Tea Parties/Celebrations Fire Andrea Mitchell!: Left wing loons have moved on from Tea Baggers to Mobs “attacking our healthcare town halls with manufactured anger – oh and protestors are “too well dressed” according to racist Barbara Boxer GayPatriot: Nancy Pelosi doesn’t understand the market for health insurance Radio Vice Online: Pelosi refers to health care insurance companies as immoral Doug Powers, Michelle Malkin: AARP does Obamacare townhall RedState: Call For Informants: If You Oppose Obamacare, Even in ‘Casual Conversation,’ the White House Wants to Know About It The Harrington Report: Boxer Takes Heat from CEO for Racist Remarks John Boehner: Republican Chart Outlines House Democrats’ Government Takeover of Health Care The Patriot’s Mind: Sure… The People Love the Idea of Government Health Care! Hot Air: Quinnipiac poll: 39% of Americans need to inform on 52% and Quote of the day (Obama’s own words on ObamaCare eliminating private health insurance) This Ain’t Hell: Left doesn’t like it’s own tactics Frugal Café Blog Zone: “War on Senior Citizens”: Mark Levin Interviews Dr. Betsy McCaughey on ObamaCare Details and Billions, Trillions, and More: CBO Releases Appalling Dollar Amount for Crappy ObamaCare and Dems’ Sheep-herding Health Welfare Program Like Eastern Bloc: Reckless Disregard for Economic & Fiscal Reality Gary Graham, Big Hollywood: All-American Girl Federal Way Conservative: They Hate All that is Good, Beautiful Robert Davi, Big Hollywood: Burnt Offerings: Teaching Our Children — Pride in Going Red, White and Blue Andrew Breitbart, Big Hollywood: I Pledge to Ridicule Celebrities Who Refuse to Recognize We Are At War With People Who Want to Kill Them, Too and How Sean Penn Won the War Jeremy D. Boering, Big Hollywood: USO: How Hollywood Serves Pronk Palisades: Navy Seals Lead The Way–Threes Shots Three Killed Pirate Terrorists Hot Air: ‘Is There Anything More Pathetic Than An Aging Hipster?’ — Jane Fonda Edition Leigh Scott, Big Hollywood: Leadership: If Barack Obama is Spock, Sarah Palin is Kirk Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata, Big Hollywood: Hollywood Heroes: Boots On the Ground Report Robert J. Avrech, Big Hollywood: Hollywood Celebrates American Military Resolve – Flashback and Extra! Hebrew Hollywood Hottie Risks Life for U.S. Troops [...]
[...] Robert J. Avrech, Big Hollywood: Hollywood Celebrates American Military Resolve – Flashback and Extra! Hebrew Hollywood Hottie Risks Life for U.S. Troops Vets on the Watch: I Miss Back When and Terrorism On The Homefront Leo Grin, Big Hollywood: NBC: [...]
My journey is to find out the truth behind whether or not I'm actually related to this legendary actress.
http://searchingforthevamp.wordpress.com/
Perhaps some very serious fans have any info that can help me on my quest…
http://searchingforthevamp.wordpress.com/
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