Wow, Louise Brooks seems to be more popular than ever.
On July 1st, Pandora's Box will be shown at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. That historic venue seats nearly 2,000 - and this special screening has been sold out for some time.
Hugh Munro Neely, director of the 1998 Emmy-nominated documentary Louise Brooks: Looking for Lulu, will host the evening. Acclaimed organist Robert Israel will accompany Pandora’s Box on the Mighty Wurlitzer. And Hugh Hefner, Playboy founder, film buff, and a longtime fan of the actress, is sponsor.
My just published article on the event can be found on examiner.com. Please take a look.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Vintage Austrian postcard for sale on eBay
This vintage Austrian photo postcard is for sale on eBay. The card, number 471 in a series, features a 1925 portrait of Louise Brooks by M.I. Boris, a New York City-based photographer active during the 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Interestingly, Boris was once a court photographer to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. (Years ago, I met his son, and he told me his Father's story.) Boris was a gifted image maker, and thought of himself as an artist. Notice the cross-hatch lines and pastoral background in the Brooks' image.
I wonder if Boris knew his images had made their way back to his former home. Besides Louise Brooks, he also photographed many other early film stars - some of these images were reproduced by the Austrian postcard maker, Iris Verlag.
Interestingly, Boris was once a court photographer to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. (Years ago, I met his son, and he told me his Father's story.) Boris was a gifted image maker, and thought of himself as an artist. Notice the cross-hatch lines and pastoral background in the Brooks' image.
I wonder if Boris knew his images had made their way back to his former home. Besides Louise Brooks, he also photographed many other early film stars - some of these images were reproduced by the Austrian postcard maker, Iris Verlag.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Is your daughter safe?
While researching Louise Brooks screenings in the San Francisco Bay Area, I came across this curious advertisement for a "sex exposure film" titled Is Your Daughter Safe. The film was released as a silent by the Chadwick Pictures Corporation in 1927. And, as is evident from the advertisement, it played locally at the California Theatre in Livermore (a suburb south and east of Oakland, California).
Interestingly, the ad reads in part, "owing to the delicate nature of this record-breaking road show entertainment and the intimate manner in which it is presented it cannot be shown to both sexes at the same time." As a result, there were separate screenings for both men and women.
From the ad, you would guess this is some sort of documentary or informational film. But it isn't. From what I could gleam from the Internet Movie Database, Is Your Daughter Safe is actually a lurid drama about white slavery (the sexual exploitation of young women) and prostitution. According to Wikipedia, the "film was created as a compilation of footage that was, in some cases, nearly fifteen years old."
Today, like Reefer Madness and other topical films, this film would be considered an "exploitation" film. Whatever the case, it certainly speaks to the fears of a certain segment of the American population during the 1920s.
Has anyone seen this film? Is it as bad as it seems it would be ?
Interestingly, the ad reads in part, "owing to the delicate nature of this record-breaking road show entertainment and the intimate manner in which it is presented it cannot be shown to both sexes at the same time." As a result, there were separate screenings for both men and women.From the ad, you would guess this is some sort of documentary or informational film. But it isn't. From what I could gleam from the Internet Movie Database, Is Your Daughter Safe is actually a lurid drama about white slavery (the sexual exploitation of young women) and prostitution. According to Wikipedia, the "film was created as a compilation of footage that was, in some cases, nearly fifteen years old."
Today, like Reefer Madness and other topical films, this film would be considered an "exploitation" film. Whatever the case, it certainly speaks to the fears of a certain segment of the American population during the 1920s.
Has anyone seen this film? Is it as bad as it seems it would be ?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Stunning portrait for sale on eBay
This stunning portrait of Louise Brooks is for sale on eBay. So far, there are no bids on the item, which is described as an "Original 8x10 Paramount negative" (number P703-145) by Eugene Robert Richee. This image is from one of my favorite portrait sessions, a group of pictures distinguished by the kimono seen in every image. Bidding opens at $499.00.
What Becomes of the "Follies" Girls
I found this clipping the other day while doing some research. It certainly speaks to the times - especially the public interest in the lives of show girls. Today, I suppose there is equal interest in the lives of actors and actresses, and musicians.I don't know how accurate are its figures - even in general terms. Nevertheless, I found it quite interesting. At the time it was published, 1926, Louise Brooks would have fallen under the categories of "Married" and "In the movies."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
A new blog for the Louise Brooks Society
After more than 6 years and some 1,327 entries, I've decided to move the Louise Brooks Society blog from LiveJournal to Blogger. The old LBS blog is located at http://louisebrooks.livejournal.com
There is still a lot of work to be done in preparation of the move. I am still messing around with Blogger settings. And, I still need to redirect numerous links to the old blog and post notices of the change. Hopefully, the handful of readers the old blog attracted won't mind the change.
This is not a decision I came to quickly. I have been thinking about it a lot. I love LiveJournal, and it has been the home to the LBS blog for a long time. Actually, since I started blogging in 2003. However, Blogger's many features make it hard to resist.
This entry is something of a test. This new blog is a work in progress.
There is still a lot of work to be done in preparation of the move. I am still messing around with Blogger settings. And, I still need to redirect numerous links to the old blog and post notices of the change. Hopefully, the handful of readers the old blog attracted won't mind the change.
This is not a decision I came to quickly. I have been thinking about it a lot. I love LiveJournal, and it has been the home to the LBS blog for a long time. Actually, since I started blogging in 2003. However, Blogger's many features make it hard to resist.
This entry is something of a test. This new blog is a work in progress.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Beggars of Life (1928)
Cliff Aliperti, who writes about classic film for examiner.com, just published a long piece on Beggars of Life (1928). Check it out at http://www.examiner.com/x-8826-NY-Classi
Friday, June 19, 2009
From Silents to Sound
A recent article for examiner.com briefly discusses Louise Brooks and
some of the actors and actresses who worked both in silent and sound
films. The article, a review of Roy Liebman's From Silents to Sound: A Biographical Encyclopedia of Performers Who Made the Transition to Talking Pictures (McFarland), can be found at www.examiner.com/x-7605-SF-Silent-Film-E
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Love Em and Leave Em to screen in Australia
Love Em and Leave Em, the delightful Louise
Brooks film from 1926, will be shown on Sunday June 21at the Australian
Cinémathèque, which is part of the Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of
Modern Art, one of the largest public art museums in Australia. For more
information on the 11:00 am screening, visit
http://qag.qld.gov.au/?a=71135
According to the email I received from Australian Cinémathèque, "The Cinémathèque is currently screening a film program titled ‘Hollywood on the Hudson’ accompanying the ‘American Impressionism and Realism, A Landmark Exhibition from The Met’, The Metropolitan Museum of the Arts, New York at the Queensland Art Gallery.
‘Hollywood on the Hudson’ film program features classic films from the 1920s and 1930s which encapsulate a rich, vibrant and culturally aware New York City at a time of great economic and social change. As part of this program we will be screening Love 'em and Leave 'em 1926 / Dir: Frank Tuttle starring Louise Brooks on 21 June. All films in the ‘Hollywood on the Hudson’ program are screened with free admission and no bookings are required. Silent films in the program, including Love 'em and Leave 'em 1926 are accompanied live by the Wurlitzer Organ."
According to the email I received from Australian Cinémathèque, "The Cinémathèque is currently screening a film program titled ‘Hollywood on the Hudson’ accompanying the ‘American Impressionism and Realism, A Landmark Exhibition from The Met’, The Metropolitan Museum of the Arts, New York at the Queensland Art Gallery.
‘Hollywood on the Hudson’ film program features classic films from the 1920s and 1930s which encapsulate a rich, vibrant and culturally aware New York City at a time of great economic and social change. As part of this program we will be screening Love 'em and Leave 'em 1926 / Dir: Frank Tuttle starring Louise Brooks on 21 June. All films in the ‘Hollywood on the Hudson’ program are screened with free admission and no bookings are required. Silent films in the program, including Love 'em and Leave 'em 1926 are accompanied live by the Wurlitzer Organ."
Friday, June 5, 2009
Louise Brooks Beauty Shop
While scrolling through microfilm, I came across these old
advertisements. One is for the Louise Beauty Shop in New York City. I
wonder if Louise Brooks knew of it?
The other advertisement is is for a novel called Kinks, a "sensational novel about show business." I found a few copies available online for as little as $10.00. The one seller of a copy available in dustjacket reports that it featured ilustrations by Vargas.
The other advertisement is is for a novel called Kinks, a "sensational novel about show business." I found a few copies available online for as little as $10.00. The one seller of a copy available in dustjacket reports that it featured ilustrations by Vargas.