German and Austrian Glamour Before World War II

There is an article in today's New York Times about an exhibit which has just opened in New York City. The article begins "Picture a glamorous gala attended by beauties, uglies, writers, thinkers, artists, loners, actors, dancers, politicos, social swans and maybe a dash of royalty, from the eventful years in Austria and Germany between the turn of the last century and the Anschluss that preceded World War II. . . . The feast of guests might include the very people depicted in 'Portraits of an Age: Photography in Germany and Austria, 1900-1938' at the Neue Galerie."

Among those depicted in the show is the silent film star Asta Nielsen - "in the kind of close-cropped haircut that signaled women's emancipation," as well as Francis Lederer - pictured below. Nielsen played Lulu in 1923 an earlier film version of Wedekind's play, while Lederer co-starred with Louise Brooks in G.W. Pabst's 1929 film of Pandora's Box. I am not sure if there is a catalog to the exhibit. But if there is, it might well be worth looking at.

Where and Why Miss Brooks Draws the Line

ON THIS DAY IN 1926: Newspapers around the country ran an illustrated article on the draped nudes scandal entitled ''Where and Why Miss Brooks Draws the Line.'' This widely syndicated article ran in the Sunday supplement / Sunday magazine section of various papers including the Philadelphia Inquirer,Washington Post, and Sacramento Union. For a larger scan of the article, see  www.cartoonretro.com/louise/brooksmodestysm.jpg.

Raymond Griffith

Bruce Calvert, a longtime contributor to the LBS message board and a dedicated fan of silent film, has written a fine article on the silent film comedian and actor Raymond Griffith. This illustrated profile appears in the February, 2005 issue of Classic Images magazine. (The text of the article can be found online at the Classic Images website.) Do check it out. . . . I liked the article, but was a bit surprised Bruce didn't mention Griffith's connection to Louise Brooks. Griffith co-authored the screenplay to God's Gift to Women. And he and Brooks, according to the Barry Paris biography, had an encounter in the 1930's (see pages 384 - 385).

Art and Beauty

An issue of Art & Beauty Magazine - dating from November, 1925 - is currently for sale on eBay. (The sellers are asking a large opening bid.) This is one of the earliest magazine covers to feature Louise Brooks. And remarkably, it predates her movie career.


I have come across only two earlier magazines which featured Brooks. Her first ever appearance may well have been on the cover of the April 24, 1925 issue of the Police Gazette, which was pblished in New York City. Some four months later, on August 16, 1925, Brooks appeared on the cover of the Town Crier, the Sunday magazine of the Wichita Beacon. Does anyone know of any other pre-1926 magazine covers?

They are large and dark brown in color

"Louise Brooks' eyes are marvelous. They are large and dark brown in color. They fascinate me." So, supposedly, stated Ronald Colman in the November, 1929 issue of  Screen Secrets. This quote appears in an article entitled "Ronald Colman's Dream Girl," by Bob Moak, which appears in an issue of the magazine currently for sale on eBay.

Recent references in the Mexican press

A follow-up to yesterday clippings from the British press. Here are some recent references to the actress from the Mexican press.

From "Contrastes de temporada"” by Fernando Toledo - Palabra  1/13/2005
--- "A traves de la historia, hay mujeres que han dado al color negro otro significado al transferirle diversas cargas de sensualidad, sobriedad y estilo. A continuacion, algunas de estas bellezas. . . . Louise Brooks. Diva del cine mudo que hizo de sus amplios vestidos negros su imagen. Los acompañaba con largos collares, guantes y una melena tambien muy negra." [ This article goes on to discuss Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, and Sophia Loren. ] 

From "Sugieren autoanalisis 'Mitos transgenicos'" by Karol Garcia - Reforma  6/17/2004
--- "Del cine, tomo a David Silva en su personaje de Kid Terranova; a Natacha Rambova, esposa del prototipo de latin lover Rodolfo Valentino, famoso por su homosexualidad, y a Louise Brooks, actriz que se revelo ante Hollywood después de rodar La Caja de Pandora."

From "Cine en su Casa / Seres de otro mundo" by Roberto Villarreal - El Norte  5/28/2004
--- these are, seemingly, television listings for "Cable de la decadencia moral"

"La Caja de Pandora (Die Büchse der Pandora) 1929. Alemania. Dir.: G.W. Pabst. Con Louise Brooks y Fritz Kortner. Basada en varios relatos de Franz Wedekind, tenemos la historia de una frivola muchacha que tiene amantes, trabaja como bailarina, desprecia a quienes la aman y finalmente, cuando decide prostituirse a cambio de dinero, cae en brazos del famoso Jack el destripador... Pabst nos ofrece imágenes de una bella presencia llamada Louise Brooks, a quien dirigio en dos cintas silentes, ya clasicas (ver adelante). // Canal 41 (IPN)"

"Diario de Una Muchacha Perdida  (Das Tagebuch einer Verlorenen) 1929. Alemania. Dir.: G.W. Pabst. Con Louise Brooks y Andre Roanne. Una muchacha trabaja en la farmacia de su padre donde es acosada por un asistente quien la viola y deja embarazada. Para salvaguardar su honor, luego de dar a luz es enviada a un internado donde sufre otro tipo de desgracias que la llevaran a escapar para trabajar en un burdel... Segunda cinta del maestro Pabst con la norteamericana Brooks donde vuelve a interpretar a una joven victima de las ironias del destino... // Canal 41 (IPN)"

Recent references in the Mexican press

A follow-up to yesterday clippings from the British press. Here are some recent references to the actress from the Mexican press.

From "Contrastes de temporada"” by Fernando Toledo - Palabra  1/13/2005
--- "A traves de la historia, hay mujeres que han dado al color negro otro significado al transferirle diversas cargas de sensualidad, sobriedad y estilo. A continuacion, algunas de estas bellezas. . . . Louise Brooks. Diva del cine mudo que hizo de sus amplios vestidos negros su imagen. Los acompañaba con largos collares, guantes y una melena tambien muy negra." [ This article goes on to discuss Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, and Sophia Loren. ] 

From "Sugieren autoanalisis 'Mitos transgenicos'" by Karol Garcia - Reforma  6/17/2004
--- "Del cine, tomo a David Silva en su personaje de Kid Terranova; a Natacha Rambova, esposa del prototipo de latin lover Rodolfo Valentino, famoso por su homosexualidad, y a Louise Brooks, actriz que se revelo ante Hollywood después de rodar La Caja de Pandora."

From "Cine en su Casa / Seres de otro mundo" by Roberto Villarreal - El Norte  5/28/2004
--- these are, seemingly, television listings for "Cable de la decadencia moral"

"La Caja de Pandora (Die Büchse der Pandora) 1929. Alemania. Dir.: G.W. Pabst. Con Louise Brooks y Fritz Kortner. Basada en varios relatos de Franz Wedekind, tenemos la historia de una frivola muchacha que tiene amantes, trabaja como bailarina, desprecia a quienes la aman y finalmente, cuando decide prostituirse a cambio de dinero, cae en brazos del famoso Jack el destripador... Pabst nos ofrece imágenes de una bella presencia llamada Louise Brooks, a quien dirigio en dos cintas silentes, ya clasicas (ver adelante). // Canal 41 (IPN)"

"Diario de Una Muchacha Perdida  (Das Tagebuch einer Verlorenen) 1929. Alemania. Dir.: G.W. Pabst. Con Louise Brooks y Andre Roanne. Una muchacha trabaja en la farmacia de su padre donde es acosada por un asistente quien la viola y deja embarazada. Para salvaguardar su honor, luego de dar a luz es enviada a un internado donde sufre otro tipo de desgracias que la llevaran a escapar para trabajar en un burdel... Segunda cinta del maestro Pabst con la norteamericana Brooks donde vuelve a interpretar a una joven victima de las ironias del destino... // Canal 41 (IPN)"

Recent references in the British press

It’s been nearly 70 years since her last film, and nearly 20 years since her death - but Louise Brooks - silent film star and 20th century icon - continues to show up in the news. In addition to the January 23rd article in The Sunday Telegraph (mentioned in yesterday's blog), here are some other recent references to the actress from the British press.

From "Books of the Year; Our critics and favourite authors decide" - The Independent  12/26/2004
--- British writer Toby Litt said "The New York Review's reissues series has been impeccable. I'd never heard of Adolfo Bioy-Casares' The Invention of Morel(New York Review of Books pounds 7.99). Initially attracted to it by the beautiful cover photo of silent film actress Louise Brooks, I found it to be an equally beautiful novel of unrequited love and parallel worlds." [ Pandora's Box makes Toby Litt's list of the top ten films of all-time ]

From "Cultural Life: Rebecca Hall, Actress" interview by Charlotte Cripps - The Independent  12/17/2004
--- "Books I have just read Louise Brooks: A Biography by Barry Paris about the silent-film star of Pandora's Box (1929), who had a fascinating life. . . ."

From "Retail Therapy" by Lisa Piddington -  Birmingham Post   11/24/2004
--- "Want to shine and stand out from the crowd? Then Helena Rubinstein's Glitterati selection will help you do just that. Inspired by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Louise Brooks, from the colours to the shade names and packaging, everything sparkles in this range fit for a budding starlet."

From "My Secret Life: Anthony Bourdain, chef" - The Independent  11/13/2004
--- "If I wasn't me I'd like to be ... Bootsy Collins playing bass for Parliament / Funkadelic, Larry Graham playing bass for James Brown and anyone who shagged Ava Gardner, Carole Lombard or Louise Brooks." [ blogger's note: This is not the first time Bourdain, the famed chef and bestselling writer, has  mentioned the actress in the course of an interview. ]

From "Film: It's a gal thing..."  by David Thomson - The Independent  10/31/2004
--- "In the first decades of cinema history, the businessmen and even the artists were a little slow to see just how far the mechanics of film had made ordinary human beauty not just iconic but erotic. In other words, I don't think anyone understood immediately just how sexy the movies were. . . .  And then there was the bad girl, the femme fatale, the temptress. That is a tradition that includes Theda Bara - the enchantress women in Cecil B De Mille films - and even Louise Brooks - though Brooks was too candid and carnal for American tastes and only found full expression in Germany, in G W Pabst's Pandora's Box."

From "OH,GOOD GODDESS; Keira is world's sexiest film star" -  Daily Record   9/30/2004
--- More than 15,000 people voted for the sexiest film stars of all-time in this poll conducted by this Glasgow, Scotland newspaper. Keira Knightly placed first. Louise Brooks placed 85th, just ahead of Sarah Michelle Geller.

Lulu's Back in Town

Spotted this article, "Louise Brooks Lulu's Back in Town," in the on-line edition of the New York Post. (It ran on Sunday, November 14th - Louise Brooks' birthday.) The article mentions that Pandora's Box will be shown tomorrow and Saturday in New York City.

"Pandora's Box will unreel Thursday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at Anthology Film Archives, part of a four-day showcase called "German Cinema: Silent Into Sound." Also in the series, running Thursday through next Sunday, are two by Fritz Lang, M (1931) and Metropolis (1926), plus Robert Wiene's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari(1919) and Josef von Sternberg's The Blue Angel (1930). The Anthology is at Second Avenue and Second Street in the East Village; (212) 505-5181."

Brooks mention in David Thomson article

David Thomson is an especially good film critic. He is also the author of the magnificent New Biographical Dictionary of Film (a book that belongs in every home), as well as many other worthwhile books and articles. Today's Independent newspaper from the U.K. carried an interesting article by Thomson which referenced Louise Brooks.

"But as the feeling dawned so pretty girls were named and hired and put on our screens week after week. In that process, the female soul was radically divided: there were the virgins, the very good girls - as typified by Lillian Gish, and to a rather cheekier degree by Mary Pickford. These women were models for human behaviour, even if they were already a little antiquated. For instance, D W Griffith was still honouring Gish's saintly woman as the First World War and its aftermath introduced the "jazz baby", the flapper, the "wild kid" - the kind of woman best celebrated by the fabulous Clara Bow and the young Gloria Swanson. And then there was the bad girl, the femme fatale, the temptress. That is a tradition that includes Theda Bara - the enchantress women in Cecil B De Mille films - and even Louise Brooks - though Brooks was too candid and carnal for American tastes and only found full expression in Germany, in G W Pabst's Pandora's Box."

Thanx to Christy, a regular reader of British newspapers, for pointing this out.