I have never really been into silent films. They seem kinda hokey to me compared to modern movies - strange makeup, overly dramatic gestures, odd camera work. However, after reading a few books like
Vamp: The Rise and Fall of Theda Bara by Eve Golden, I feel that I have been unfairly judgmental. A Fool There Was was made almost 100 years ago! What will people think of movies made today 100 years from now?
Eve Golden paints an interesting picture of the manufacturing of a movie star. Working only in silent films, Bara is considered to be one of the movie industry's first sex symbols (the opposite of her true life). She is often credited as being the first vamp (that is now under dispute). Some of the costumes that she wore ... Wow. I think that they would still cause a quite a stir today. I would love to see her in Cleopatra. The costumes and sets were said to be amazing (still shots can be seen in the book).
When considering time and place, silent movies make more sense to me now. Some are actually quite good. Unfortunately for Theda Bara, her best work has not survived (mainly due to a fire). A talented actress, Bara is known for having the highest percentage of lost films (compared to other actors with a Hollywood star on the Walk of Fame). Of her 40 movies, only four remain and they are considered to be some of her worst work. Check your attics and storage rooms. Old movie reels have been known to surface every now and then.
On to the scribble(s) and flick!
No comments:
Post a Comment