Here is what I what I looked at and here is what I found

I went ot the library yesterday to check out some of my just arrived interlibrary loans. Here is what I what I looked at and here is what I found. . . .  Following up on an earlier post, I requested some college newspapers in hopes of finding reviews of Denishawn performances. I asked for the Ohio State Lantern, but my request was rejected as the microfilm for this Ohio State University student newspaper was "not on the shelf." I shall ask for it again at a later date. I also requested the Cornell Daily Sun and the Reveille (from Louisiana State University), but neither newspaper contained any editorial coverage. The Cornell Daily Sun did run a couple of advertisements for the Denishawn performance in nearby Ithaca, New York.

I also looked at various issues of the Whig Journal (from Quincy, Illinois) and the Omaha Bee (from Omaha, Nebraska), and in each I did find articles and reviews of the Denishawn performances in those two cities. Citations for the material I found have been added to the various LBS bibliographies.

Think about it

Louise Brooks appears on the cover of the previous issue of Think magazine, which comes from Prague. Check it out here.

ABOUT THE COVER: 
Jeffree Benet "I photoshopped in the cover of the previous issue into the hands of 20's film darling Louise Brooks, from an old publicity still. The cover conspiratorally warns 'Look Normal. They must suspect nothing'."

Louise Brooks by Rick Geary

A caricature of Louise Brooks by Rick Geary shows up on eBay ocassionally as a rubber stamp. There is one for sale now. I have one of these rubber stamps. And I remember that Barry Paris stamped a copy of his biography that he signed for me some years ago. They are nifty.

Library of Congress follow-up

I have heard back from the Library of Congress regarding The Street of Forgotten Men. Here is what they wrote.

The Moving Image Section of the Library of Congress has an incomplete 16mm reference print of THE STREET OF FORGOTTEN MEN (1925), which is available for viewing in our Motion Picture and Television Reading Room by researchers with an advance appointment.

THE STREET OF FORGOTTEN MEN
6 reels (r1, 3-7); 2000 ft., si., b&w, 16mm reference print

I am excitied. I shall attempt to make an appointment to view this film while I am in Washington D.C.

Library of Congress

For work reasons, I will be travelling to Washington D.C. in mid-May to attend the national booksellers convention. While in the Capitol, I hope to visit the Library of Congress, and do some research on Louise Brooks. (I've never been to the Library of Congress - though I have borrowed a number of inter-library loans from this institution. They have an amazing collection.)

And so, yesterday, I spent most of the day planning my visit. The LOC is the largest library in the world. It has closed stacks. And there are a number of rules which apply to individuals and independent researchers like myself. For example, individuals can only make 9 requests per hour in the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room. And scanners, larger than the hand-held variety, are not allowed, etc . . . . Thus, I spent my day figuring out which buildings, collections, and rooms are open when, and what material can be found where. I also obtained call numbers for the various items I hope to look at. I will likely have little more than one day at the LOC - and so, I prioritized which material I want to examine first. I hope to make the most of my time. And there is sure to be some competition for the microfilm reader/printers. I have to work efficiantly.

For a handful of key newspapers, The Library of Congress is the only library in the country which has certain titles readily available on microfilm. For example, in order to complete my survey of particular papers (in search of either Denishawn material or film reviews), I plan to request theRochester Times Union, Newark Star-Eagle, Minneapolis Morning Tribune, Boston Post and a couple of Buffalo papers. I also hope to explore theIndianapolis News, Oklahoma City times, and Rocky Mountain News. The LOC has each of these papers on microfilm. One elusive paper which the LOC does not have on microfilm - but instead has in bound volumes - is the Atlantic City Evening Union. I have long been anxious to look at this paper and uncover what articles it may have run about the near week-long Denishawn engagement there in 1923, the Miss America contest and the filming of American Venus in 1925, and the later screening of the film in 1926. I would guess it is ripe with interesting material!

It is also my understanding that the LOC has 6 of 7 reels of  The Street of Forgotten Men, the first film in which Louise Brooks appeared. I have a query in to the LOC to find out if  this 1925 Herbert Brennon directed film is, in fact, available for individual screening. How thrilling it would be to view the film! If it is, and if I am able to see it, I will take many notes. To be continued . . . . 

Teatro della Lulu

Mars Toyko is a visual artist working in miniature 3-D diorama who has created "Teatro della Lulu (Homage to Louise Brooks)." The artist sent an email to alert me to her work. She wrote, "I have been a fan of Louise Brooks for years and have created an Homage to her."



This photo was taken with a macro lens attachment. The original diorama is only 3" wide, 4.5" deep, and 4" high. For me, this piece evokes the work of the American surrealist Joseph Cornell - one of my favorite artists and an inspiration to Mars Toyko. (Cornell was famously obsessed with certain ballerinas and actresses - most notably Hedy Lamarr - and he created elaborate shadow boxes in their honor.) Toyko's collage and constructions also bring the work of Betye Saar to mind. Those wishing to see more of the artist's efforts should visit http://teenytheaters.com/

Diary of a Lost Circus

The Montreal Mirror reports on a vaudeville entertainment taking place this weekend in Montreal, Canada called "Diary of a Lost Circus." The event/performance is burlesque, and has nothing to do with silent film, though it was in some small way inspired by the Louise Brooks' film, Diary of a Lost Girl. The Mirror reports

"I was talking with Damiana on the phone," he recalls, "she was asking me what to call the night, and we came up with names like the Sexy Pants Party, the I Wanna Dance Half-Naked by Myself Show and the like. Damiana, the goddess she is, mentions we should use the word 'circus.' As I gracefully glanced at the 1929 German poster for the Louise Brooks film Diary of a Lost Girl, I thought to myself, 'We are all kind of lost, all trying to find our spot, looking for other spot-finders and with our dances and guitars, we end up finding each other by accident.'"

Castelli's philosophical revelation prompted the title 'Diary of a Lost Circus,' and Dolce dug it too. 'A lost circus,' muses Castelli, 'a  whole lot of us wandering around in the city with a stick, a dress and a good song in our head.

Interestingly, Frank Wedekind's original Lulu plays - the basis for Pandora's Box - are framed by a circus. Anyways, here is a link to the news story. If anyone should attend and spot a Brooks sighting, please post something here.

Louise Brooks event this Saturday

Louise Brooks fans will want to know about an event taking place on Saturday. Echoeing language from the LBS website, this small piece appeared inArtvoice, a Buffalo alternative weekly. "Louise Brooks appeared in 24 films between 1925 and 1948, during what is considered the Golden Age of Hollywood. Perhaps most famous for her portrayal of Lulu in G. W. Pabst’s German classic Pandora’s Box (1929), Brooks has since gained iconic status among film buffs. Though she may be remembered as much for her trademark bobbed haircut as for her acting ability, her impact on film history is undeniable. This year marks what would have been the actress’ 100th birthday, and a photo exhibit and reception will be held in her honor at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum. An exhibit of Brooks images is noteworthy enough but the fact that entertainment is provided by Lowest of Low frontman Ron Hawkins’ Acoustic Revue makes the evening extra special." For more info and pix, visit this website.

Silent Black and White Play in Chicago

From the press release of the new Louise Brooks-inspired play in Chicago. For more information (including images), check out the website at www.silenttheatre.com 

Silent Theatre in association with The Journeymen Theater Company present
Lulu
Conceived and Directed by tonika todorova
Adapted from the LULU plays by Frank Wedekind

Playing at Theatre Building Chicago, located at 1225 West Belmont Avenue, in Chicago. Performances run Fridays and Saturdays @ 8:00pm & 11:00pm and Sundays @ 7:00pm through February 26th, 2006. Running time 80 minutes with no intermission. All tickets are $20 and are available through the box office @ 773-327-5252 and at all TICKETMASTER outlets. Here's a special offer for Louise Brooks fans. When purchasing tickets, say "luluesque" at the Box office, and get half off!

LULU is adapted from German playwright Frank Wedekind's 1894 Lulu cycle "Earth Spirit" and "Pandora's Box" and follows the escapades of the unbearably sexy Lulu who causes many to destroy themselves while pursuing the maddening passion she inspires.

LULU is beautiful, narcissistic and young. She is a woman who possesses a thrilling combination of powerful and candid innocence that has made her the object of ardent admiration since childhood. As Lulu passes through Berlin’s high society, she exercises a cruel power over the many men and women who love her to the point of obsession, exploiting them before she herself can be used. But her beauty is cursed, and her power short-lived; it is she who will ultimately be destroyed by her lovers.

LULU presents its story in complete silence. It takes the silent film genre, combined with German expressionism and portrays it on stage to accent with gesticulation and body language, what words sometimes fail to express.

LULU includes Brendan Balfe, Nicholas DuFloth, Lauren Ashley Fisher, Gillian Hastings, Curtis M. Jackson, Matthew Massaro, Scott Moulton, Alzan Pelesic, Brian Quijada, Marvin Eduardo Quijada, Joe Vonderhaar and Kyla Louise Webb. Lighting design by Jennifer Larkin, set design by Rick Gleeson, directed by tonika todorova with original music by Isaiah Robinson.

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT “LULU”

“…dreamlike…luscious…highly effective…a bona-fide knockout.”  - CHICAGO TRIBUNE

“…the embodiment of feminine . Lulu is a must see… a totally unique Chicago stage experience…” - CHICAGO CRITIC

“…giddy excitement…energetic strangeness…” - NEW CITY

“…marvelous…flawless…gorgeous. Hats off to director Tonika Todorova and the riveting, ridiculously skilled cast.” - CHICAGO READER

“…We’re dealing with smart people…Don’t miss!” - TIMEOUT CHICAGO

Production History: Premiered @ The Journeymen Theater Company (September/October 2002). Remounted with Silent Theatre in association with The Journeymen @ City Lit Theatre (November-December 2005).

Valet & metered parking available and restaurant discounts (with TBC ticket stubs) at nearby restaurants TBC restaurant partners: http://www.theatrebuildingchicago.org/images/restuarants.gif

Welcome to the LBS

The other day, the Louise Brooks Society welcomed its first member from Senegal. "mrcina" hails from Dakar, and is one of a few members from Africa. At last count, more than 1400 individuals from 49 (now 50!) countries have joined the LBS! From Australia to Zimbabwe, from Canada to Argentina, from the Canary Islands to the Czech Republic, LBS members comprise a truly world wide web of Louise Brooks fans and silent film enthusiasts.

Other new members include Sergio from Porto, Portugal, Daniel from Goteborg, Sweden, and Rodrigo from Uruguay. Terry from Los Lunas, New Mexico wrote to say, "I just saw the film, The Showoff.  I was surprised by the stunning beauty of an actress called Louise Brooks.  I had never heard of her before and went on the Internet and found your web-site." Louise from Alfreton, Derbyshire, UK wrote " I have been a Louise Brooks fan since I was 14 years old, I am now 37. Is that odd?" No, not at all. Welcome.

Marc Quinn

A British artist named Marc Quinn referenced Louise Brooks in today's Guardian newspaper. "Kate Moss is iconic now because she's come to signify what beauty is in our eyes. When you look back at the 1920s you think of Louise Brooks . . . . " Click here for the complete article.

And yesterday, Vanwall came across this article referencing Brooks - another Brooks / Kate Moss connection!

Louise Brooks centenary

This year marks the Louise Brooks centenary. The dancer and actress was born on November 14, 1906 in Cherryvale, Kansas. The anniversary of Brooks' birth will be celebrated by the release of a new DVD and a new book, a museum exhibit, screenings, and other events held across the United States and Europe.

February 7, 2006: Kino will release Prix de Beauté (1930) on DVD. This marks the French film's first commercial release on disc in the United States. (more info)
February 11, 2006: "Silent Star: Louise Brooks in Photographs" will be shown at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Buffalo, New York.

Spring 2006: The Rochester Historical Society will screen a Brooks' film in Rochester, New York. Local film critic Jack Garner will give introductory remarks. Details to come.

May, 2006: A celebration of Brooks' 100th birthday, sponsored by the Cherryvale Chamber of Commerce, will take place in Cherryvale, Kansas. Details to come.

Spring 2006: Screening of a newly restored version of Pandora's Box in New York City. Details to come.

August 2006: "New Histories of Photography 11: Louise Brooks and the New Woman in Weimar Cinema" opens at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. Details to come.

August 2006: The Louise Brooks Society celebrates 11 years online. Special biographical content will be added to the site to mark the occassion.

October 3 - 8, 2006: SEDICICORTO International Film Festival Forlì in Italy takes place. A special category this year includes films relating to Louise Brooks. (more info)

October 10, 2006: Rizzoli will publish Peter Cowie's new pictorial on the actress, Louise Brooks: Lulu Forever. (more info)

November 2006: An event to celebrate the publication of Peter Cowie's new book will take place in San Francisco. Details to come.

November 14, 2006: Louise Brooks was born 100 years ago on this day in Cherryvale, Kansas. Happy Birthday!

December 8, 2006: "New Histories of Photography 11: Louise Brooks and the New Woman in Weimar Cinema" opens at the International Center of Photography in New York City. The exhibit runs through February 25, 2007. Details to come.

Rumours have it that even more happenings, not listed here, are in the works! The LBS would be interested in hearing from anyone who might know of other events. Please email the LBS.

Alban Berg's Lulu

I recently viewed a DVD of Alban Berg's opera, Lulu. I want to recommend it, as I think this production is truly exceptional! Previously, I had seen one live production of this opera (in San Francisco a few years back), heard one on the radio (a Metropolitan Opera broadcast), and listened to a couple I have on CD. This is my favorite Lulu, by far.



Based on a pair of once banned plays by Frank Wedekind (the same source material that G.W. Pabst drew on for his 1929 film starring Louise Brooks), Alban Berg's operatic swansong charts the rise and fall of a femme fatale - Lulu. With its intense, and at times beautiful and harsh score, this is one of the great operatic masterpieces of the 20th century. This subtitled production by the Glyndebourne Festival Opera stars Christine Schafer, Kathryn Harries, and Wolfgang Schone. Andrew Davis conducted the London Philharmonic.

Schafer, who sings the role of Lulu, is especially appealing. (She has short hair, but does not evoke Brooks' appearance.) I really enjoyed watching her. And the staging of the opera was brilliant. Minimal, but sophisticated in many ways. To have to see it to know what I mean. This production won the 1997 Gramaphone Award for Best Video. If you have ever wanted to check out a production of Lulu, I would recommend this.

Who has influenced your style?

An article in today's Charlotte Observer about a clothes boutique in that North Carolina town contains an interview with the owner, Kim Terrell of Hysteric Glamour. The exchange reads in part.

Who has influenced your style? "Louise Brooks, Penelope Tree and Peggy Moffitt. Those women took no cues from anyone. They set a standard for themselves and for many women.... You have the bobbed hairdos because of Louise Brooks. You have the smoky eye pallid look because of Peggy Moffitt."

Is anyone familar with this store?

Barry Paris references Louise Brooks

Today, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette film critic Barry Paris referenced Louise Brooks in his review of a new documentary film about the Ballets Russes. Paris gives the film three stars, and describes it as "joyful." His review ends this way.

It's hard enough for us regular mortals to lose our youthful beauty and movement. How much harder must it be for these graceful octogenarian creatures? You will fall in love with them and their nobility.

"In my dreams I am not crippled," said Louise Brooks, a Denishawn dancer confined to a wheelchair at the end of her life. "In my dreams, I dance."

In this docu-dream, so do our Russians.

Christa Parravani is sometimes mistaken

Photographer Christa Parravani is sometimes mistaken for actress Louise Brooks. The curious should visit this webpage (a la Cindy Sherman?).

By the end of the Thirties

                                               

This somewhat common German postcard of Louise Brooks - likely manufactured around 1929 or 1930 - is for sale on eBay. The interesting thing about this particular card is that the Italian seller notes writing on the back of the card is dated 1939. That's kind of a long time for this postcard to have remained in circulation - especially considering Brooks' career had long been in decline by the end of the Thirties.

Back from Sacramento

Back from Sacramento, where I spent 5 hours on Friday at the California State Library looking through microfilm of various California newspapers. My search goes on . . . . My first task was to look through the Los Angeles Evening Herald. I've scoured this paper before - for film reviews, but this time I wanted to check for news items like Louise Brooks' marriage, divorce, bankruptcy, etc . . . . Unfortunately, I didn't turn up anything, though I did track down a long missing review of It's the Old Army Game. Regarding this film, the critic for the paper gushed, "Louise Brooks, who has the feminine lead, is pretty and attractive to an amazing degree and one becomes so interested in watching her pouts and baby smiles that it is difficult to remember afterwards just how good an actress she is. Her scenes with William Claxton - of All for You fame - furnish the few tears of the feature and in one or two situations both reach unexpected dramatic heights."

I also went through a long run of the Santa Monica Evening Outlook, where I turned up articles, reviews, stills and advertisements on twelve of Brooks' films. Curiously, the longer my search went on, the more familar the Santa Monica material seemed. At first, I thought I might be duplicating some earlier efforts. I checked and rechecked my notes. I hadn't looked at the Santa Monica Evening Outlook before - that was for certain. But still, the material I had come upon was like something I had seen before. Finally, it dawned on me that Santa Monica was next door to Venice Beach, and I had gone through the Venice Evening Vanguard. As it turns out, the two cities shared movie theaters. And their coverage of local screenings was somewhat similar. Both papers, for example, noted that election results would be broadcast to patrons who were attending the screening of Beggars of Life on the night of the1928 Presidential election.

Here is a nifty 1927 illustration I came across.



I spent about three hours going through the Santa Monica Evening Outlook, and I feel like I got some good stuff. The same cannot be said for the Vallejo Evening News and the Ventura County Star. I was hard pressed to find any movie coverage in these two small town newspapers, and so gave up looking after scanning a few months. There just wasn't much going on there, then. I also went through a few reels of the Santa Cruz Sentinal and the Daily Humbolt Times. I did find some movie coverage in these two small town papers, but seemingly, each town had only two or three theaters, and none of them seemed to show Paramount films. Back in the 1920's, local theaters were tied to the national studios. Some theaters would only show MGM or Fox films, and thus wouldn't show films from other competing studios. And, since the majority of Brooks' silent films were made for Paramount, her movies just weren't screened in some small towns and cities. That seems to be the case with Santa Cruz and Humbolt, California.

I am drawing to a close of my California newspaper survey, though I may return to the California State Library in a few months to tie up some loose ends - bibliographically speaking. I need to finish looking through the Bakersfield Californian for film reviews, and perhaps pick through the available Los Angeles newspapers for news items or bits in the local film, gossip and society columns. I like to be thorough . . . . and heck, you never know what you may find.

Speaking of vintage comics

Speaking of vintage comics and silent film . . . . I recently ordered two comics books from Fantagraphics. Each contained 1920's comic strips featuring silent film stars. The two I purchased were Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Normand and Her Funny Friends. Though their covers feature contemporary artwork, inside these 30+ page comic books is vintage material compiled from early issues of The Kinema Comic, a British publication. Each comic also includes a bonus paper toys drawn by Larry Semon - the silent film actor who started out as a cartoonist. Each comic book retails for $4.95, and can also be purchased directly from the editor.



As a bunch of these strips were published in England in the early 1920's, these two collections are the first in what may be a long series of reissues. Soon after receiving them, I emailed the editor, and she told me that a comic book featuring Ford Sterling (Louise Brooks fellow actor in a couples of films) is due out later this year. Hooray!

Some more interesting citations

I went to the library today (as I seem to do every week) to collect my inter-library loans and to continue my (seemingly never ending) search for new material on Louise Brooks. I came up with some interesting citations.

In search of material on the November, 1922 appearance by the Denishawn dance company in Ripon, I borrowed microfilm of the Ripon College Days - whose masthead claims it to be "the oldest college newspaper in Wisconsin." Though only a weekly from a small college, the paper ran an article in advance of the Denishawn appearance, as well as a thoughtful, front-page review afterward. "Storms of Applause Praise Work of Denishawn Dancers," by an anonymous student, is one of more considered and detailed reviews I have come across. It even quotes remarks Ruth St. Denis gave in a talk before a small group who gathered after the performance!

I requested Ripon College Days because it was the only newspaper I could find for this small Wisconsin town dating from the 1920's. I am not sure if there was a city paper. Nevertheless, this review is only the second (or third?) college newspaper review I have so far come across, the other being from the University of Michigan student newspaper. The Denishawn tour took them to a handful of college campuses. I will try to track down other college newspaper reviews, should they exist.

I also looked at the Hamilton Spectator, from Ontario, Canada. I found a number of articles and reviews relating to the March, 1922 and April, 1924 Denishawn performances. In 1924, Louise Brooks and the Denishawn company performed on two consecutive nights in Hamilton. And interestingly, the local paper reviewed each performance. "Denishawn Dancers A Delight to the Eye: They Gave One of the Most Charming Performances Ever Seen on a Local Stage at Grand Last Night" was followed by "Second Evening a Rare Delight: Denishawn Dancers Again Enraptured Audience at Grand Last Night." Together, these clippings make for one of the very few instances I know of when a local paper reviewed each performance of an engagement.

I also borrowed microfilm of the Hamilton Spectator dating from early 1926. And luckily, I uncovered a few clippings regarding the screening of The American Venus at the local Pantages theater. And so, slowly, I am building up the number of film-related clippings from Canada. . . .  Tomorrow, I have the opportunity to head to Sacramento and once again visit the California State Library, where I shall continue my survey of California newspapers. A report will follow.