The First True Goth
Todays Goths evidently model their look on Theda Bara
Recently, my partner, who is a photographer, wanted to try out some new lighting ideas. He needed a subject, and since the studio he normally uses has closed, and therefore models would not be available — I was his only option.
I like to fool around with cosplay, and makeup and that sort of thing, and suggested we do a shoot with a 1920’s feel to it.
While looking up the 1920’s makeup styles, I came across silent film icon, Theda Bara.
Her look fascinated me. Every picture I found featured a wild-eyed, exotic creature with really over-the-top makeup and over the top costumes.
I did some research on her and decided that the would be the look I would aim for in our upcoming shoot.
Here are the results, my tribute to Theda Bara. All photos by Bruce Walker, all re-touching by Louise Peacock
One of the most outstanding things in all the photos I found of Theda Bara was the eyes. Regardless of the makeup — the big, soulful eyes.
I also noticed that all her poses were very theatrical and staged. This was of course, the look of the times. Other film stars had similar publicity shots, but I found that the ones of Theda Bara were really outstanding.
Out of all the photographs I found of Theda Bara, I don’t think I found more than three or four where she was actually smiling or laughing. Usually just a tiny hint of a smile, or none at all.
I tried my best to emulate the makeup, the outfits, the expressions and the poses of this amazing silent screen goddess.
In retouching the photos I tried to use effects that would give them the 1920s old photograph look.
Notes on Theda Bara:
Theda Bara was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in July of 1885 as Theodosia Burr Goodman.
She attended a local high school, and as a teen showed an interest in theatre arts.
She went to the University of Cincinnati from 1903 to 1905.
She then went to New York and had a brief stage career using the stage name “Theodosia de Coppet.
In 1914 she met Frank Powell who cast her as the vamp in the 1915 movie, “ A fool there was”
At the time, the corseted and slender female figure was still a “thing”. However, it turned out that Theodosias’ more ample curves would actually be a great marketing tool for the studio.
The studio did a huge publicity campaign for the movie launch and turned her into an overnight success.
They changed her name to Theda Bara and invented a fake but exotic background for her.
They took advantage of her curves and wild hair, using scanty and shocking (for the time) outfits, heavy makeup and a ton of rococo jewellery.
She was launched as the wicked temptress, the vamp, the man-eater, the home destroyer.
The studio insisted that when she appeared in public, she would be heavily veiled to ensure that her on-screen persona was maintained.
Theda ended up making 40 movies between 1914 and 1926, and became the darling of the working class man and woman. Working-class women began to imitate her makeup and hair and clothing. Men yearned to have a girl just like her. She received a ton of fan mail. On the other hand, she received angry letters from “respectable” married women accusing her of being a home breaker. to this accusation, Theda apparently responded “If I were really that type of woman, I would not have to work.”.
To read more about her and to see some of the photos of the real Theda, check this link on Wikipedia.
