THEDA BARA destined to create a very colorful character upon the screen,
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1890.
No film director, with penetrating eye, being present, she was forced
to turn her natural talents to the stage at first. After a brief career
before audiences, her own inclinations led her to seek the film. She acknowledges
this very frankly.
Like many another person who became famous afterwards, Miss Bara found
the sledding difficult. Like hundreds of others, she haunted studios, waylaid
directors and persisted in her quest until she was rewarded with a very
small part in a photoplay. Even then success did not rush to meet her. She
made her way forward slowly, until some very wise studio official cast her
in the role of vampire in "A Fool There Was."
A new character had been born in the cinema-the feminine "vamp,"
which made both the "creature" and Miss Bara famous overnight.
William Fox immediately signed Miss Bara as a star. Then followed a long
line of vampire features, which carried the actress' name around the globe
and gave her a distinctive niche in the cinema hall of fame.
The name "Theda Bara" is a nom-descreen. Her real name was
Theodosia Goodman. She is five feet six inches tall and weighs 135 pounds.
Her hair and eyes are dark brown. |