Bara's Beauty Business

Theda Bara's persona inspired perfume and beauty products.

Book Review - Theda Bara, My Mentor by Joan Craig

Theda Bara is one of the most iconic stars of all time.  If you bring up the famous stars of the Silent Era, she is certainly one of the very first names that comes up.  Unfortunately, while her image may be familiar to many, her acting and the lightning impact she made on society is not.  Time has not been kind to her nitrate films, most are lost.  Mysterious and intriguing, she became the Vamp, THE sex symbol of the era.  Even though she was active a mere decade, she has an amazing 44 credits to her name.

Beautiful Betty

Betty Blythe; 1920's

Betty Blythe (1 September 1893 - 7 April 1972), was quite the silent film star.  When the talkies came about, she transitioned to a character actress.  With over 160 credits to her name, many not credited, Blythe appears to be another glamorous star which I would love to have seen.

Highbrow Diversions for Mrs Tibbett

Esther Ralston and Lawrence Tibbett; 1931; The Prodigal

"Something new in the party line was tried out by Mrs. Lawrence Tibbett recently.  She entertained with the London String Quartet at a distinctly highbrow function.  It proved no great strain either on the Hollywoodians, who are scarcely acclimated to so much artiness of an evening.  We noted among the guests Ina Claire, Dale Owen, Fay Wray, Theda Bara, Leslie Howard, Kathlyn Williams, John Loder, Walter Huston, Marie Dressler, and others of a select group.




After the music the guests were privileged to disport themselves in the swimming pool, but the only ones who took advantage of that frivolity were one or two members of the quartet."




[Source: Picture Play; July 1931]