First ever Louise Brooks Society blog on this day in 2002

The first ever Louise Brooks Society blog appeared on LiveJournal on this day in 2002. To mark the occasion, here is that first post:

In search of the perfect bob, in the Philippines

The Philippine Daily Inquirer, from Manila, recently ran a story titled "In search of the perfect bob." In it, the reporter discusses her own quest for the haircut, as well as a bit of it's history.

It has been a long debate on who actually started the classic bob. But American Hairdresser magazine, in an article on March 1, 2007, “The Way We Were,” credited dancer Irene Castle for the bob, which used to be called “Castle Bob” in 1915.

There was also the tale of an unpopular girl whose life changed after she got her new bob, as told in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story, “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” published in the Saturday Evening Post in May 1920.

Others credit the bob to Coco Chanel or the American dancer and actress Louise Brooks, with her ebony black, blunt bob with bangs.

Anna Wintour has been sporting the page-boy bob since she was 14.

Why is the ’do still popping up to this day?

The popularity of the bob knows no bounds. Neither does its identification with Louise Brooks. Both are a worldwide phenomena!

New Silent Film Documentary - Silence is Golden

Check out this swell new short documentary telling the story of cinema's origins from the pioneers of the first films till the first full talkie The Jazz Singer. I like it, and not just because Louise Brooks makes an appearance.

Louise Brooks at Glastonbury Music Festival

On Saturday June 28th, The Dodge Brothers & Neil Brand become the first band to accompany a silent film at the famous Glastonbury Festival in England. The long running festival, which draws more than 100,00 people, is one of the biggest musical events in the world. On this year's schedule are Jack White, Lily Allen, Metallica, Caro Emerald, Yoko Ono, Arcade Fire, Robert Plant, Bryan Ferry, tUnE-yArDs, and many others.

The film The Dodge Brothers will accompany is Beggars of Life (1928), starring Louise Brooks. I guess that means Louise Brooks is the first silent film star to "play" Glastonbury. This is a trailer of what they'll do...

Cool pic of the day: Louise Brooks, the glance

Cool pic of the day: the glance (Louise Brooks, circa 1928)

Emil Petaja "Photoplay Edition"

I have a few copies of Photoplay Edition, by Emil Petaja, which I would like to sell. This collectors guide was the first book on the subject of photoplay editions, the movie tie-in books of the silent and early sound era. This heavily illustrated, 200 page bibliography contains a delightful introductory essay and a checklist of hundreds of titles. It is also illustrated with dozens of rare book covers and black-and-white stills from the silent era. I am selling these softcover books for $10.00 each (which includes shipping). Personal checks or PayPal accepted. Contact me via email at thomasg at pandorasboxDOTcom to arrange payment and shipping.

 
Emil Petaja (1915 - 2000) was a friend of mine; I knew him during the last half dozen years of his life. Though an accomplished author in the fields of science fiction and fantasy, Emil is best known to movie lovers as the author of Photoplay Edition (SISU Publishers, 1975).

Petaja based this book on his personal collection, which at the time of publication, numbered more than eight hundred titles. He loved film, and was a life-long movie buff and collector of movie memorabilia. He had a large library of film-related books, owned hundreds of 16mm films and videotapes, and enjoyed recounting stories about classic films, actors and actresses. What always impressed me about Emil was his remarkable mind for recalling plots, the stars of films, and even the authors whose books were made into movies. Occasionally, we would take in a movie together. Emil was a gateway to the past. And I enjoyed many conversations with him about the movies.

Louise Brooks asks: Anyone for tennis?

Louise Brooks asks: Anyone for tennis? (Photo circa 1928).

LIke Louise Brooks

"Like Louise Brooks" by Sarah Azzara, from her superb 2000 album Revenge Of Danger Girl. (Available on CD Baby.)

Some pretty great bangs & bobbed hair: celebrating Ipso Facto & Theoretical Girl

Here is the 2007 video for the Ipso Facto single "Harmonise," directed by Tony Mines. This band sported some pretty great bangs and bobbed hair.

Ipso Facto were a goth-inflected, melodramatic psychedelic rock band founded in 2007 by Rosalie Cunningham (singer, songwriter, guitar), Victoria Smith (drums), Cherish Kaya (keyboards) and Samantha Valentine (bass guitar). They were based in London. Before Ipso Facto, Rosalie and Samantha played in the Southend band Theoretical Girl. (see videos below)

According to music writer Mark Deming, "In May 2007, Ipso Facto made their live debut opening for the Violets, and their first single, "Harmonise" b/w "Balderdash," was released by the independent Disc Error label six months later. Thanks in part to a striking music video and plenty of enthusiastic press, the single quickly sold out its press run, and Ipso Facto began receiving international coverage as they began work on their debut album in 2008."

After a couple years touring the UK, Ipso Facto split up, in 2009. Since then, they have gone separate ways. Rosalie Cunningham is continuing to write and record music with her new band Purson. Samantha Valentine has joined the band Romance, Cherish has gone to play keyboards for Florence and the Machine. Victoria Smith went on to be a touring member of MIA and is the current drummer in The Big Pink.

The band's AllMusic biography was written by the Mark Deming (my roommate in college, I kid thee not). He described them this way: "All-female foursome Ipso Facto are nearly as well known for their fashion sense as for their music -- they exclusively favor vintage monochrome outfits and sport hairdos that split the difference between Louise Brooks and Brian Jones -- though their stylish fusion of indie pop, garage rock, early goth sounds and psychedelia has certainly earned them a loyal following."

And below is a sweet outdoors live version of Theoretical Girl's "The Boy I Left Behind." To listen to the studio version follow this link.