A Fool There Was

I've been frequenting YouTube a lot lately in order to search for various movies I'd like to see that happen to be in the public domain (and many that aren't that haven't been taken off). Many of these movies are shown in segments that last little more than ten minutes each though there are some exceptions like this one that was shown in its one hour, seven minute entirety. It's one of the few surviving films of Theda Bara who is a pioneer as an alluring sex symbol of the movies. Here she likes to take happily married rich men and play with their emotions for the fun of it. Having said all that, while I found Ms. Bara's vamping pretty entertaining near the end, the first 30 minutes of A Fool There Was almost put me to sleep since that time mainly concerned the man she was fooling with's family. It probably didn't help that many messages that were shown on screen were mainly blurry. So for that, I'd only recommend A Fool There Was for any silent movie buff out there. P.S. This is the one with the famous inter-title card "Kiss Me, You Fool!"

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.

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.

Theda Bara's films are practically all lost due to a vault fire at Fox in the 1930's. This is the only commercially available film of hers that I am aware, and I found it interesting even if somewhat flawed.

Bara herself is terrific as "The Vampire" and she is so in both known meanings of that word. She seems to be irresistible to every man she sets her sights on while draining them of life or any will of their own. As she sets her sights on wealthy lawyer John Schuyler, we see a beggar in the street who apparently was one of her past victims, and in the present there is young Reginal Parmalee who seems to think of nothing but winning Bara's character back. Nobody seems to be able to pull it together after she's crossed their path. To make her more of a seemingly supernatural dehumanizing force she is given no name - just "the woman".

The best part of this film is her performance and that of Edward Jose as Schulyer. The man literally ages before your eyes and goes from a vital man in the prime of life to a frail looking alcoholic who appears to be in his 60's as he falls prey to "the woman".

What is not so good is that some of the subplots are a bit confusing. In particular, there is quite a bit of correspondence going back and forth between Schulyer, his wife, and his employers, and the letters are shown but the writing is so faded it is difficult to read unless you stop the film and take time to look at the frame. Even then I couldn't make out some of the writing. Also, there are very few title cards, and when one finally does appear it is usually quite verbose. Finally, there is lots of time spent with Schulyer and his wife and child at home before he ever meets "the woman". This is obviously present to show how good Schulyer had it and what it was he was throwing away for a temporary thrill, but it just goes on a bit too long.

However, overall I enjoyed it and it will keep you guessing up to the end exactly what is going to happen.