A Fool There Was

There's no question about its imperfections, but "A Fool There Was" is still an interesting melodrama, and it also looks better when considered in the context of its era. The pacing and storytelling are often uneven, but they are not too bad for a time when everyone was still learning how to tell a feature-length story on film. Theda Bara's performance is sometimes exaggerated, but it also contains some very effective moments, and it's not hard to see why she was something of a phenomenon for a time.

The story is relatively simple, with Bara as a 'vamp' who enters the lives of a respected statesman and his family. In general, the story works rather well, resisting the temptation to resort to anything forced or showy. It's driven solely by the strange power that Bara's character can acquire over good-natured but weak-willed males. Similar stories have been used in recent movies, but usually with the addition of a lot of extraneous or indecent material that adds nothing of genuine value.

To be sure, only someone who already enjoys silent movies will be interested in this one. Within just a few years, film-makers would learn many better and more efficient ways of setting up and telling a lengthy story. Bara is also the only performer here whose performance is of particular interest. But there is more than enough here to make it worth seeing if you like the silents.

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'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.

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.