Theda Bara - by Ronald Genini (Paperback)

About the Book

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 primarily due to Fox Studio's publicity department; they created her image as a screen vamp and used it to titillate the public. And Bara, an ambitious actress who was nearing 30 when she made her first film, enthusiastically played the role designed for her.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"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.

About the Author

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