The Face of a Vamp

Theda Bara, cinema's first 'Vamp' in A FOOL THERE WAS,  1915

As surprising as it may sound, I have yet to see "A Fool There Was". I have read the Rudyard Kipling poem, and the bizarre and lurid novel on which the film was based, but I have yet to see this particular silent gem.

Publicity still, depicting Theda Bara as a destroyer of men.

This early role as a femme fatal, or Vamp, as it was popularly called in the 1920s, has earned her the title of Hollywoods earliest sex symbol. I think by todays standards it is fascinating to see what was considered alluring, mysterious and dangerous.

Vamping with a vengeance! 

Check out this stripy skirt! And the triangular pockets! Wow! 

It is evident, in Vamps from the late 1910's and early 1920's, that a dark, voluptuous look was in favour. Another famous Vamp from the 1920's was Nita Naldi (she played such a role opposite Rudolph Valentino in two films!)

Look at that hair! It's lovely!

Rudolph Valentino manhandling Nita Naldi.

But as I mentioned in my last post, by the middle to late 20's, fashions were changing - even with Vamps.

Pola Negri, who began just as early as the above two actresses, but seemed to survive longer in films than either of them. 

Pola Negri sporting a bob!

In the mid to late 20's a sleek and more subtle Vamp was popular. Two that spring to mind are Greta Garbo and Louise Brooks.

The elegant Greta Garbo. Look at that hat!

The infamous kissing scene from "Flesh & the Devil" where Garbo plays the consummate Vamp. According to legend, after filming the scene, Greta Garbo & John Gilbert just kept going, and the director let them. 

Louise Brooks sporting her famous bob. I've always thought it gave her a girlish look, which nonetheless did not detract from her vampish qualities.

These are especially visible in her German films, like "Pandora's Box" (above) and "Diary of a Lost Girl".

Yours truly, as a 1920s obsessed teenager, also trying the Vamp look.

Despite the changing look of the Vamp throughout the 1910s and 1920s, it was a powerful and fashionable image.