Movie Legends - Theda Bara

[ibhuv]

death arab

[papamalo]

Are my ears deceiving me are is that "lamento Jibaro" as the first tune? amazing!

[rayito2005]

Una actriz de la decada del 1910's , ella era sensual mas que guapa y muy adelantada para sui epoca.

[jrmetmoi]

A lot of toplessness back in the day. Even in the famous Metropolis there was a bit of topless pasty-wearing.

[1357Alison]

Those clothes look awsome on her

[cheeselikescereal]

My mother was named after Theda Bara. She was born in 1917. I sent her some Theda Bara postage stamps once for her birthday. It's fascinating thanks to YouTube to be able to know more about this beautiful lady.

[Penpen447]

Excelent video...

[globalman]

A great tragedy that her Cleopatra was lost. The only other good one was Claudette Colbert...... DeMille of course. A nice tribute this.

[exeuroweenie]

My god,she bears an uncanny resemblance to a Jewish girl I dated.Her taste in bras was a bit more practical,though.What was her background?

[basilnelson]

@exeuroweenie Theda was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was a prosperous Polish Jewish tailor and her mother was Swiss.

[exeuroweenie]

@basilnelson Thanks very much.

[EllyMoody]

@exeuroweenie She could be Jewish too! Bara's real last name is Goodman. Fox changed her name to be an anagram of "Arab Death". Yes. Creepy. I'll have nightmares tonight.

[exeuroweenie]

@EllyMoody That's awesome,kind of a proto gothy-chick.Actors and actresses are nowhere near that distinctive nowadays.

[EllyMoody]

@exeuroweenie true :))

[Juliaflo]

@EllyMoody Nee Theodosia (sp) Goodman.



[monateegs]

@exeuroweenie Theda was raised Jewish and was bat-mitzvahed.

[LadyMissCoppertone]

I loved the color change sequence. Nice touch.

[dchockeygoali07]

most of the costumes she wore would still be considered risque even today, this woman is a true legend.

but, starlets like her were one of a dying breed. the EVIL production code administration established in 1934 really, REALLY set back how mature movies could be until the late 60's. fuck the MPAA.

[MrFeckinEejit]

Awesome post. She exemliphies the era she grew up in - when women were to be admired and loved. I just hope that modern women of equal beauty are treated with the same level of respect in 100 years time as Theda was in her era.

[msymsed]

This is a brilliant montage of pictures...absolutely beautiful work, Baz

[basilnelson]

@msymsed Thank you! Your comments are much appreciated. BAZ

[1strwbryblondnc]

Nice job!  Thank you!

[IsabelDhampir82]

Lindo, no conocia muchas d esas imagenes....Aunq prefiero a Louise Brook ...

[TheLadyMalfoy]

Beautiful video and tribute! Outstanding collection of photos, many of which I've never seen. I love the colorized pics. Theda Bara was the first goth princess and a very beautiful, gracious woman. I heard her voice in a radio interview she did in the 30's and she had a lovely voice. She would have succeeded in talkies. Today's stars owe the silent stars a world of gratitude. They paved the way for all to come.

[Mojave888]

Thank you for this fantastic tribute. The music fit perfectly!

[mayatatyana1]

Here name was an anagram for Arab Death. It's a pity that so little remains of her silent films. Your video is a lovely tribute. Maya

[Shabannie]

She wore some interesting costumes. You did a beautiful job again!

----------Ellen

[basilnelson]

@Shabannie Thanks Ellen. Your comments are always appreciated! BAZ

[CarlDuke]

Bara was born Theodosia Goodman, daughter of Polish Jewish immigrant parents in Ohio.

[carolinaswampcritter]

~♥☼Oh my! Nicely done indeed! I have been fascinated with Theda Bara since my teens. What a beautiful and memorable tribute to such a magnificent and talented woman!!! ♥☼~

[conchaperez]

She is sooo you! If there is reincarnation, then you were her!

[fandemanuelcortez]

wonderful!!!!

[Gydinglight12]

In a book on the WWI era I found there is a picture of her at a war bond rally, in profile and out of her vamp makeup. She had a long needle nose and not much of a chin. In A Fool There Was is a brief clip of her that shows the art of sliding into a car seat while wearing a hobble skirt. Some of these pictures of her here are like some photos of Clara Bow; under the makeup there is a sadness in her eyes.

[xxsilverpeltxx]

she iz so creepily beautiful

[luvebug21]

something FASCINATING about her

[luvebug21]

The music fits her soo well wow she was so mystique/mysterious i adore her

[Ninox37]

I'd hit it. Oh, good Lord would I hit it. What I wouldn't give to taste that nectar..that sweet, sweet....God Almighty.

Sorry, I got ahead of myself. But seriously, very pretty woman.

[cyrilmaude]

Thanks so much for this beautiful tribute to a truly fabulous lady. She was such a striking beauty and a talented actress. There is a good book on her, "Vamp: the Rise and Fall of Theda Bara" by Eve Golden. I have all her existing films on video, "A Fool There Was" 1915 and "The Unchastened Woman" 1925 and a portion of a short comedy from 1926, "Madame Mystery". It's a shame most of her films are lost. Thanks for keeping her memory alive.

[Brutaldeadfaith]

She's absolute. In fact, I'd love to see all her work but in the end it doesn't count, just look to her, her expression. Fantastic!

[loverofoldtimes]

2:04 to 2:07 Theda appears stunningly beautiful!

[Palomablanca2008]

Fantastic!!!

[patty3173]

My grandparents were born in 1904 and thought she was shocking.  She wasn't beautiful: she was real. Back in those days it was good to look well fed.

[sydonabike]

I actually named my daughter after this lady.

Instead of making all these dumb horror movie remakes , they oughta remake the movies she did and bust ass to get them as close as possible to the real deals. Or maybe kinda make the movie go half n half, like something old / something new. half black n white, half color.

And actually still use "stills" to  read what they are saying, like old times.

I'd beat your mom up if I knew she was sitting on these films all to herself. ;)

[vonrassilon]

It is a shame that most of her films are lost, maybe never to be seen again. There is hope however slight, that some may be found in old attics or such to be restored and seen again.

[jmk61fhs79xu84]

Beautiful tribute to Theda! The music selections are perfect. What are the names of the pieces you chose? Thank you for sharing your work with us.

[basilnelson]

The soundtrack consists of two edited pieces of music. Titles are 'Lamento Borincano' played by Franck Pourcel & his Orchestra and the 'Pastorale Sonate No4' played by French painist Richard Clayderman.

[thespiritmage]

Shewas so awesomely beautiful. It's too bad that most films from that era are now lost or destroyed. :(

[xxblackpeltxx]

these pics are like modern day modeling in black and white

there absolutly lovely

[TheVittfill]

what kinda type is used at the begining of the video??

[basilnelson]

The font is called 'Broadway'.

[russianchick855]

at 4:00 she is so beautiful!

[satanicalady08]

Beautifully done! The photo of Theda at 4:05 is my absolute favorite of her. She had such beautiful eyes and hair. I love how she wore the risque costumes.  She was amazing!

[beautifuldreamer77]

What presence she had...and so beautiful...thank you for finding all of her photos!!!

[thedabaraHPL]

Simply beautiful - thank you

[spittysmom]

Very beautiful images. It's such a shame that most of her film work is lost forever--destroyed in a big fire at the Fox studios.

Trivia: She was a natural blond, but dyed her hair jet black and used the heavy black eye make-up for the overall stunning effect.

[satanicalady08]

To spittysmom...I know only like a couple of her films are available. And she never did a talkie so we won't know how her voice sounded. But I didn't know she was a natural blonde?!

[clevm002]

what is this music.. i recognise it ?

[basilnelson]

There are two pieces of music in the soundtrack. 'Pastorale-Sonate No4' and 'Lamento Borincano'.

[nomadski1959]

when i was 11 and 12 in 1971 i performed yard work/misc chores for an 80-something woman, who told me she was a stand in for theda bara, her name was nellie mc cracken and lived in tarzana calif..... any film historians ever heard of her? she lived on about a half acre lot and also sold me she used to sell produce and hens to clark gable, carole lombard, al jolson, etc... , when they would come out for country drives in the sanfernando valley.

[MoneyBEATSsoul]

wow... beautiful... and spectacular music by the way. What songs were there in this video?

[moonlily1]

i don't really see the sex appeal, but of course standards and ideals have greatly changed.

[sydonabike]

oh the late 60's through 70's was 20's revisited as far as sex went.

Aleister Crowley made something of a mention of "things to come" on this too.

[FancyADanceLove]

Beautiful video. What song is that in the very beginning, and from 3:27 on? I love it, and that is the perfect song for her!

[pricelesspam]

I find her very scary and unattractive loooking but she was probably a great actress.

[satanicalady08]

To pricelesspam...she used to scare me too when I was younger but the more I got into theater and watching silent films I got used to her and now I think she is beautiful.

[EFFANDJEFF]

Her face encapsulates the style of the time. She just is Art Deco!

1:22 is such a modern-style photo

[VAMPIREBIRDIE]

Well done!

[antominho]

It's amazing to watch this video after reading so much about her. You Tube is great!

[Juanchosinmiedo]

The face of the sin.

[nicknnora]

Brilliantly done. Thank you for posting

[Warhorse3000]

Did she play cleopatra? She definitly suits the role

[basilnelson]

Yes, she starred as Cleopatra in Fox's epic of 1917. Unfortunately a print of the film no longer exists.

[FunNotNuts]

Lillian Gish always seemed to me to have a soul shining out of her eyes. These other women were beautiful, but empty by comparison.

[Powerhousezz]

she's beautiful i love the pictures 2:03-3:38

[ArielDevan]

she is so gorgeous and I just love her look<3

[KISSMEMYFOOL69]

Theda is definitly beautiful, and especially with long hair. She has the most stunning eyes Ive ever seen! I love how her looks are so unique.

[LadyJML]

Fascinating pictures! I like the pictures where she has long hair. I like the picture at 4:09.

[LoveMarilynMonroe]

Theda Bara - Arab Death. She was the true number one vamp.

[riverphoenixgurl]

Amazing woman. Her eyes are stunning.

[beautifuldreamer77]

She is so engaging...almost hypnotic to the eyes...a true legend.

[NYsoul99]

now that was one scary woman and those eyes...

but still it's a beautiful tribute

[niceguy63073]

I have always been intrigued by Theda Bara but have never seen any of her work. I heard that the biography "Vamp" is a very good read.

I love seeing these old photos.

[juljaha]

wonderful video!i love silent movie and old photos)))))

[jellydoughnut85]

I love Theda Bara...she is one of my role models, one of my icons of mystery, style and romance. I hope a new generation of people will soon discover the original vamp in all of her silent film glory....it breaks my heart that all but two of her films have been lost. I wish I was Theda Bara!

[merrywrath]

I've been captivated with Ms. Bara since I was 16, although I seem to remember seeing an image of her when I was very young, and I was fascinated. Do you, basilnelson, by chance have the biography "Vamp"?

[basilnelson]

No. I never read her whole biography. Most of my research on the Movie Legend Stars is confined to short biographies on the Internet, mainly due to time restrictions. I would love to read 'Vamp' one day. I am amazed how popular Theda Bara is today. I get more viewings on that one video than all the other silent Stars put together.

[merrywrath]

I've noticed that too, and I'm a bit surprised. No doubt the internet has something to do with that. I have "Vamp" and it's good. I hope you'll be able to have the time to read it.

[agenttabachingching]

she looks like a gothy witch bitch pog.

[laitae]

nicely done, thanks for posting it!

[Modguy61]

Great tribute basil!!! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your tributes to great stars of the past:)

[ralphralph123]

At times Theda could look utterly seductive and beautiful and others plain and simple, but it isn't her fault, it is the photographers and makeup and all the other factors.

Truley an icon.

[joeocho88]

Well, I think she is beautiful!

And you have done such a delightful job with a fascinating subject. The early days of still film photography had a lot to be desired when it came to making people look their best especially if the photographer fancied him/herself an artiste and those Egyptian costumes did nothing to enhance Thea's natural beauty. Trust me, my grandmother met her once in New Orleans when she had a slent film open there,She WAS beautiful, gracious and nice!

[RedheadScorpio]

not an especialy beautiful woman, but she sure can look evil at times =)

[graypat]

You're welcome, and anytime you can share more of your talents, please do!

Hugs!

[graypat]

Thank you basilnelson! This tribute is so beautifully produced, from the stills acquired to the editing and music score. Your work is truly appreciated!

[1400deadwood]

Marvelous video!!

[serialslasher]

beautiful

[cristopherleon21]

divina

maravillosa mujer

[marcobudista]

Sublime!Divino!Tantalizante!

[vt32943]

Baz, Theda was one of the most famous completely silent stars and was never filmed in sound. She appeared in over 40 films between 1916-1926 sadly, there are only 6 of these that exist. With this wonderful tribute we will never forget one of the most famous Silent Movie Vamps of our film history.

Fondly, Hedda

[Lacarolebouquet]

this is great

[mycoolfunstuff]

One of my most prized possessions is a 1927handwritten and signed thank you note written by Theda Bara to somebody thanking him for a complimentary box of chocolates. It's written on her personalized stationary with the original handwritten mailing envelope. I'll be uploading my entire autograph collection on youtube sometime within the next month or two for other classic actress fans to see. I have about 700 signed photos of all the vintage actresses from the 1920s to 1950s.

[LaPolanegri]

great idea , I will love tosee everything you had

[anhacus]

There's a Theda Bara Blvd. in Fort Lee, N.J. That's where the film industry started before they moved to California. The Perils of Pauline was filmed on the Palisades in Fort Lee.

[joeocho88]

You do such enchanting work! I think you have captured the ethereal soul of the silent films! I wish they still made films like these.

[joeocho88]

And you are waiting to see the serials and the cartoon and the newsreels and the feature film which might star Theta Bara or Pola Negri.

My grandmother lived not too far from Pola Negri in San Antonio and actually saw her a few times before she passed away. They used to gossip about old films. They are both gone now. Sadly.

[joeocho88]

It reminds me of the movie houses in Texas and one in New Orleans! You can just imagine popcorn and a soda for a nickel and your horses are at the hitching post and this is Saturday in town, away from the isolation, tedious hard labor and isolation of the ranch or farm!

[joeocho88]

What is the music that is playing here?

I seem to remember something very similar playing at intermissions in a movie house not too long ago.  The place was ancient, it was in Texas and well before air conditioning. I had an old fashioned water cooler and smelled slightly musty inside and the velvet curtains that they hang on the walls would have crumbled at the touch, I am sure.The music is enchanting here!

[joeocho88]

SO BEAUTIFULLY DONE!

She was a woman from my grandmother's era, when they were all young and beautiful. My grandmother adored her and could hardly wait until her films played New Orleans.

Such a beautiful tribute to such a beautiful woman as I think ALL women of the 1920s were beautiful!

Siempre en mi corazon! Always, forever in my heart.Dearest Theta Bara.

[esojbar]

It's magic. Wonderful woman and the music fits perfectly. Thanks for posting.

[deketelaere]

Great Tribute to Theda Bara!

Good choice of photos and music.

Thank.

[GuinevereJuliet]

Lovely collection of images on the legendary vamp of the silent era, and set to a beautiful choice of music. Thank you. I enjoyed this.

[arepitav]

wonderful!

[globehunter2]

Vintage dark shadowry eyes` with that haunting stare

and poinyant mouth, truly a vamp for her day! Theda

was a timeless temptress and mysterious icon of

womanhood.

Beautiful vintage photos*

Pierre