A Fool There Was

Considering that 1915 was the year of "Birth of a Nation", it is interesting to see what else passed as entertainment for cinema goers that year. "A Fool There Was" is probably the equivalent of your average Sharon Stone epic; lurid, melodramatic and utterly irresistible. This was a star making vehicle for Theda Bara, and though her style seems as remote as the ice age, one can clearly see the strength of her persona. Her appeal to 1915 audiences must have been profound.

The film is primitive even by silent standards. Close ups are stinted upon, the direction is rudimentary. Alone in the cast Bara is worth watching, though I suspect it gives but a glimpse of her full powers. Good fun, if hardly profound entertainment.

Theda Bara, she of the weird publicity ('born in the shadow of the Sphinx, etc.), was a dynamic personality and a true screen femme fatale, and we're lucky that this, perhaps her best known film, has survived. She also portrayed Cleopatra and others but that work can no longer be seen.

'A Fool There Was' presents Bara as a woman who brings madness and ruin to the men in her life, as we watch them go headlong to their destruction while under her spell. The bulk of the story presents her romance with a middle-aged millionaire she meets on a cruise, where a scene with a lounge and grapes soon establishes their relationship. No matter that he has a wife and young daughter at home; he is completely in thrall to this modern vampire.

Yes, it was made in 1915 so certain allowances have to be made regarding the filming and acting, but at this time in the story of cinema techniques were getting more sophisticated, and in Bara a sexy and appealing star was born. 'A Fool There Was' showcases her perfectly.

A pity for this is only one of a few films left of the icon Theda Bara. Theda was a true madame who knew how to act. The film is not with Theda in a leading role. Although the movie to me is completely about miss Theda. Especially the scene where she truly convinced everyone she was a vamp. The scene where she convinces 'the fool' that she does not discard him but that she just took a ruse to test his love. But later on when he is gone she takes a wallet full of money. Another scene that draws attention is when Theda take a few flowers and crumbles one of them to dust. I truly enjoyed this classic and I surely tell you all to also see this masterpiece.

This is a wonderful early cinematic gem that we are fortunate to have survived. The strong screen presence of the legendary Theda Bara is its greatest attribute. I don't think her talent gets the recognition it deserves and this is sadly due to the fact that this and one other film, 1925's "The Unchastened Woman" actually survive to my knowledge. Ms. Bara was the ultimate femme fatale and this is clearly seen in this film, her first starring role. Her film career was relatively short and many of her films were the tragic result of deteriation that so many of the early nitrate films were subject to. This makes film preservation a very vital movement so that many movie icons, such as Ms. Bara can be preserved for posterity.

Theda Bara in her classic role as the "vamp" (even the movie calls her a "woman of the vampire variety" or something like that) plays up to various millionaires, ruining their lives. One man is happily married, but the appearance of Theda always draws him back -- literally (and very theatrically) right in front of his wife! Bara's performance is good; she often uses her whole body (especially her formidable shoulders) to play a scene, in a style which though a bit overdone is very refreshing in a 1915 film, as I'm sure it was for the audiences.