Diary of a Lost Spectator

Here is a PDF link to Tracy Cox's essay, "Diary of a Lost Spectator: Carving a Space for Female Desire in Patriarchal Cinema."

It appears in Fall / Winter 1995 issue of Spectator.

Shop for Louise Brooks DVDs and Books and More

Check out the Louise Brooks Society store on Amazon.com. It's stocked with Louise Brooks movies, books, music and more.

Among the books in the LBS store, and among the books highly recommended, is Art Deco Hair: Hairstyles from the 1920s & 1930s, by Daniela Turudich.The book was published by Streamline Press in July.

"Art deco has long been associated with uncompromising style and sophistication, and this guide to re-creating the sassy, controversial styles of the 1920s and 1930s offers a glimpse back at the hairstyles of this era. The instructions needed to replicate these fashions on the modern woman—from the controversial bob of the Roaring Twenties flapper to the luxurious finger waves of Hollywood’s early screen stars—are provided, and the techniques behind Marcel and water waves, the simple bob, Eton and shingle cuts, and many more are also included. Hundreds of vintage illustrations, photographs, step-by-step instructions, and diagrams illuminate the history of the hairstyles that laid the groundwork of style for the modern American woman."

Rudolph Valentino 1895-1926

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the death of Rudolph Valentino, who died in New York City at the age of 31 on August 23, 1926. We know from her letters that Louise Brooks had met Valentino, if only briefly, and had observed him at a party in New York sometime in the weeks leading up to his passing. Valentino's death made headlines around the world. An estimated 100,000 people lined the streets of New York City to pay their respects at the Frank Campbell Funeral Home. Here is a picture of one of them.

Valentino's funeral Mass in New York was held at Saint Malachy's Roman Catholic Church, often called "The Actor's Chapel." It is located on West 49th Street in the Broadway theater district, and has a long association with show business figures. In the course of my research, I discovered that Louise Brooks was reported to have been one of the actors allowed to attend the funeral. Valetino's death and funeral received extensive coverage. On August 31, the New York Morning Telegraph, in an article entitled "Pola's Sobs Heard Above Requiem Mass For Rudy As Thousands Pay Tribute," wrote that "Louise Brooks cried unashamed" at Valentino's funeral mass.

Valentino was a fine actor, and a charismatic figure. If you've never seen any of his films, like Four Horseman of the Apocalypse (1921) or The Eagle (1925), which are two of my favorites, do so!

Louise Brooks: Two lovely stills

Here are two lovely stills from two early Louise Brooks films. The first is from It's the Old Army Game (1926). The second is from Love Em and Leave Em (1926). Both are Paramount films. Each captures the actress in an unrehearsed moment, un-posed, relaxed and naturally lovely.

Louise Brooks inspired play to be restaged

I've seen mention on social media that there may be a new production of Janet Munsil's Emphysema / Smoking with Lulu in the works. The play was inspired by true life incident. The synopsis from the author's website reads: "Obsessed by his lifelong erotic fantasies of silent movie icon Louise Brooks' amoral character Lulu in the 1928 film Pandora's Box, legendary theatre critic Kenneth Tynan spent three days with the then-aging star to gather material for a New Yorker profile, as The Girl in the Black Helmet was set to launch the actress once again into the limelight after decades of anonymity."

This 90 minute play, for 1 male and 2 females, has a notable production history: West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds;  Soho Theatre, London; Citizens Theatre, Glasgow; Alberta Theatre Projects playRites '97, Calgary; Tarragon Theatre, Toronto; Belfry Theatre, Victoria; Edmonton Fringe Festival; Open Space New Theatre Series, and Lulupalooza (Staged Reading).

Once I find out more, I will be sure and post the news to this blog. In the meantime, you can check out Janet Munsil's work on her website. Munsil's play about Brooks and Tynan was published in book form as Emphysema: A Love Story (Signature Editions), as well as under its UK title, Smoking with Lulu (Oberon Books). Both editions can still be purchased through amazon.com.

Cool Pic of the Day: Louise Brooks in The Canary Murder Case

 Cool Pic of the Day: Louise Brooks in The Canary Murder Case (1929).

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Louise Brooks :: Harvest Rain ~ "Fountain of Night"

Check it out: Harvest Rain ~ "Fountain of Night"  video from the YouTube channel belonging to  HourOfDecision777 ~ featuring Louise Brooks, of course.

An imaginary interview with Louise Brooks

Italian Louise Brooks fan G. Luca Chiovelli, author of the fantastic Italian website devoted to the actress, had penned a two-part imaginary interview with Louise Brooks titled (in translation) "Louise Brooks, the girl with the black helmet."

Part one can be read here. And part two can be read here. (The Google Chrome browser will translate from the Italian automatically.) The interview appears on the blog of the Monteverdelegge cultural association.

I think it is possible that Louise Brooks is as popular in Italy as she is in France, or Germany.