Louise Brooks The Scandalous Icon
- Date: 2010-09-19 - Word Count: 530
Share This!
Louise Brooks was easily the most recognizable flapper at the peak of her popularity, in the 1920s. She was an actress, model, and dancer. Louise Brooks is generally credited with popularizing the stereotypical flapper haircut, as her dark hair was cut in a blunt, boyish bob. Interestingly enough, this haircut was inadvertent - it was merely how she had worn her hair since she was a child. Brooks was born November 14, 1906, in the rural town of Cherryvale, Kansas. Even at a young age, she knew she wanted to be a performer. She would put on vaudeville-style routines for her family and friends. When she was in high school, her family moved out west to California. It was then that she was discovered by a producer who was impressed by her dancing in a chorus line. Louise became a movie star.
Tragically, like many films from the early days of Hollywood, some of Louise's most important films are missing. They are considered lost forever, either through bureaucratic snafus or, more commonly, film-wiping penny pinching. These roles include her leads in A Social Celebrity and The American Venus. The UCLA film archive offers a reward to anyone who can prove conclusively that they have fragments or full reels of a lost film. Despite some of her work being destroyed, Louise still stands as the quintessential flapper and has a core, cult fan base. Her films have been restored and re-released by the Criterion collection. It was in film that Louise found most success.
Louise Brooks' most famous role is her starring role in famous director G.W. Pabst' Pandora's Box. The film was controversial (as many things were during the reluctant early 20s) because of its stark portrayal of contemporary sexuality. It even featured, quite shockingly for the time, the first lesbian film character. In Pandora's Box, Brooks' character, Lulu, enjoys a promiscuous lifestyle. She sleeps around with various men and extorts gifts, like jewelry and clothing from them - the classic gold digger. Lulu continues to muck about in an irresponsible manner. Her bad behavior and disregard for other people eventually leads to her own unraveling and the destruction of those who love her. Like most of her films, this was a box-office smash. She received thousands of fan letters and
By the 1940s, Louise had become disenchanted with Hollywood. She perceived it to be an industry created solely on money and shunning actual cinematic art. The switch from silent films to films with sound, called talkies, did not do much for her career. Brooks' voice was deemed unsuitable for talking pictures. She dropped out of the movie industry but struggled to find success in other areas. Brooks flitted between being a gossip columnist, an aspiring writer, a radio actress, and, during one stint of desperation, a prostitute. However her life was not to be entirely sad. In the 1950s, Louise Brooks was rediscovered by film historians and hailed as greater than Greta Garbo or Marlene Dietrich. Film historians personally purchased her a New York apartment and gave her a stipend, so that she would be able to live out her remaining years peacefully. Louise Brooks died of a heart attack on August 8, 1985.
Tragically, like many films from the early days of Hollywood, some of Louise's most important films are missing. They are considered lost forever, either through bureaucratic snafus or, more commonly, film-wiping penny pinching. These roles include her leads in A Social Celebrity and The American Venus. The UCLA film archive offers a reward to anyone who can prove conclusively that they have fragments or full reels of a lost film. Despite some of her work being destroyed, Louise still stands as the quintessential flapper and has a core, cult fan base. Her films have been restored and re-released by the Criterion collection. It was in film that Louise found most success.
Louise Brooks' most famous role is her starring role in famous director G.W. Pabst' Pandora's Box. The film was controversial (as many things were during the reluctant early 20s) because of its stark portrayal of contemporary sexuality. It even featured, quite shockingly for the time, the first lesbian film character. In Pandora's Box, Brooks' character, Lulu, enjoys a promiscuous lifestyle. She sleeps around with various men and extorts gifts, like jewelry and clothing from them - the classic gold digger. Lulu continues to muck about in an irresponsible manner. Her bad behavior and disregard for other people eventually leads to her own unraveling and the destruction of those who love her. Like most of her films, this was a box-office smash. She received thousands of fan letters and
By the 1940s, Louise had become disenchanted with Hollywood. She perceived it to be an industry created solely on money and shunning actual cinematic art. The switch from silent films to films with sound, called talkies, did not do much for her career. Brooks' voice was deemed unsuitable for talking pictures. She dropped out of the movie industry but struggled to find success in other areas. Brooks flitted between being a gossip columnist, an aspiring writer, a radio actress, and, during one stint of desperation, a prostitute. However her life was not to be entirely sad. In the 1950s, Louise Brooks was rediscovered by film historians and hailed as greater than Greta Garbo or Marlene Dietrich. Film historians personally purchased her a New York apartment and gave her a stipend, so that she would be able to live out her remaining years peacefully. Louise Brooks died of a heart attack on August 8, 1985.
Related Tags: model, actress, louise brooks, flapper
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Kids Halloween Party Ideas
Hard to believe Halloween is just around the corner already. This is a very popular holiday especial - Inexpensive Party Favor Ideas For Party Guests
The cost of a gift is not the most important, but rather the thought behind it. There are different - The Major Benefits of Watching Funny Videos
Funny videos have gained a wide audience all over the world. This is due to the impact it has made i - Handy Things to Know About Concert Tickets
There are a lot of people that spend time and money going to concerts. This makes knowing the facts - Travel Magazine And How To Pick Up A Good Copy
Many people enjoy reading magazines. They are a quick read and can be picked up in many locations. M - Planning the Infamous Holiday Office Party
Ok, so you're in charge of planning the infamous holiday office party. If you've ever seen the TV sh - How to Choose Songs That Are Suited to Your Voice - So You Always Sound Fantastic!
Hello singers! In this article, you'll learn how to choose songs that compliment your voice… so you - Host a Professional Halloween Quiz This Halloween
If you are having a bunch of friends around for Halloween, why not give them a Halloween Quiz? If yo - Discovering How Popular Horror Movies Can Enhance Halloween Fun
Throwing a Halloween party? Why not make it a night with themes from popular horror movies? For, wit - The Art Of The French Revolution
The art of pre-revolutionary France was decidedly frivolous in its subject matter and deliciously de
Most viewed articles in this category:
- The Complete Defenition of the 3D
3D computer graphics as seen on FaceYourArt.comA 3D rendering with raytracing and ambient occlusion - Unlimited Movie Downloads Tips - Pick the Best, Dump the Rest
Unlimited movie downloads have made it much easier for busy folks like us to watch our favorite movi - Get Your Alliance Character To 60 In A Week
You may have looked around on the internet for WoW power leveling guides and come up empty-handed or - Why Do We Gamble?
Why do People Gamble? Gambling is a past-time activity enjoyed by many people. Some play at hom - Video Poker (jacks or Better) Tips
Video poker made its entry in the 1970s. It has proven to be a popular form of gaming. Video poker o - Top 7 Video Games For Children Ages 5 - 8
Many parents worry about the video games available to children today with all the violence. However - Why I Love Strategy Games
A strategy game is one in which the skills of the play and his decision making combine to influence - Prison Break's Wentworth Miller: I'm not Gay
In an attempt to put a stop to the lingering gossip and to clarify his name once and for all, Wenthw - Guys, Valentine's Day will be Heaven or Hell for you...
Guys, I know it's not fashionable to get ahead of yourself for holidays. I don't buy Christmas gift - Comparing 6 String And 12 String Guitars
6-string or 12-string Acoustic guitar, which should you get? Both have pros and cons, and both are e