Theda Bara: A Biography of the Silent Screen Vamp, with a Filmography

by Ronald Genini

Overview

Despite being a mediocre actress with less than classic beauty, Theda Bara was one of Hollywood's leading performers in the early years of cinema. Her success was mostly due to Fox Studio's publicity: they made her a screen vamp and used her to titillate the public. And Theda Bara, ambitious and nearing 30 when she made her first film, enthusiastically played the role.

In real life, Theodosia Goodman bore little resemblance to the vampish Theda Bara character. But the studio-created persona, with the invented name, evil personality and fictional history, was a major star. Though her films were often trite, poorly acted, extravagant and crude, the public packed movie houses. But her film career ended once the public tired of the persona. Through contemporary newspaper accounts, film reviews, interviews and other sources, this is a comprehensive account of the life and times of one of Hollywood's first female stars.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786491612
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	02/08/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	168
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Ronald Genini is a retired high school history teacher living in Fresno, California.
Ronald Genini is a retired high school history teacher living in Fresno, California.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     

1. A Nice Jewish Girl from Cincinnati     
2. Dyed Hair, Painted Faces and Hollywood     
3. Theodosia Becomes Theda; Woman Becomes Vampire     
4. A Fool There Was     
5. A Film a Month     
6. The Reel Vampire, the Real Theda     
7. The Vampire: Desired and Despised     
8. The Vamp’s Influence Sells War Bonds and Sex     
9. Vamped to Death     
10. Wedding Bells and Career Death Knells     
11. Bara, Brabin and Beverly Hills     
12. Other Starts, No Finishes     
13. Inactive but Not Forgotten     
14. A “Notable Woman”     

Stage and Screen Appearances     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

A biography of the actress famous for her image as a vamp, drawing on contemporary newspaper accounts, film reviews, and interviews. Includes b&w photos, and a listing of stage and screen appearances offering details on release and performance dates, studio, cast, directors, and writers. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

carefully researched...unravels the fascinating trajectory of this cinematic vamp.... A useful volume in silent American film”—Choice; “revealing the real woman behind the dark persona”—Filmfax; “[a] superb biography...reveals much about important figures in the history of movies...a definitive work of reference—highly recommended”—The Other Side of Show Business.

From the Publisher

revealing the real woman behind the dark persona

Filmfax

carefully researched...unravels the fascinating trajectory of this cinematic vamp.... A useful volume in silent American film

Choice