All Shade DuBois as Theda Bara photos taken by Alan Mercer
Theda Bara was one of the most popular actresses of the silent era, and one of cinema's earliest sex symbols. Her femme fatale roles earned her the nickname The Vamp, short for vampire. Theda Bara made more than 40 films between 1914 and 1926, but most were lost in the 1937 Fox vault fire. After her marriage to Charles Brabin in 1921, she made two more feature films and then retired from acting in 1926, having never appeared in a sound film.
Theda Bara was born Theodosia Burr Goodman on July 29, 1885 in the Avondale section of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was Bernard Goodman, a prosperous Jewish tailor born in Poland. Her mother, Pauline Louise Françoise, was born in Switzerland. Bernard and Pauline married in 1882. She had two siblings: Marque and Esther, who also became a film actress.
Theda Bara
Theda Bara attended Walnut Hills High School, graduating in 1903. After attending the University of Cincinnati for two years, she worked mainly in local theater productions, but did explore other projects. After moving to New York City in 1908, she made her Broadway debut in The Devil in 1908.
Most of Theda Bara's early films were shot along the East Coast, where the film industry was centered at that time, primarily at the Fox Studios in Fort Lee, New Jersey. She lived with her family in New York City during this time. The rise of Hollywood as the center of the American film industry forced her to relocate to Los Angeles to film the epic ‘Cleopatra’ in 1917, which became one of her biggest hits. No known prints of ‘Cleopatra’ exist today, but numerous photographs of Bara in costume as the Queen of the Nile have survived.
Between 1915 and 1919, Theda Bara was Fox studio's biggest star, but tired of being typecast as a vamp, she allowed her five-year contract with Fox to expire. Her final Fox film was ‘The Lure of Ambition’ in 1919. In 1920, she turned briefly to the stage, appearing on Broadway in ‘The Blue Flame.’ Her fame drew large crowds to the theater, but her acting was savaged by critics. Her career suffered without Fox studio's support, and she did not make another film until ‘The Unchastened Woman’ in 1925 for Chadwick Pictures Corporation. Theda Bara retired after making only one more film, the short comedy ‘Madame Mystery’ in 1926, made for Hal Roach and directed by Stan Laurel, in which she parodied her vamp image.
Theda Bara
At the height of her fame, Theda Bara earned $4,000 per week (the equivalent of over $56,000 per week in 2017 adjusted dollars). Although Theda took her craft seriously, she was too successful as an exotic "wanton woman" to develop a more versatile career.
Theda Bara is often cited as the first sex symbol of the movies. She was well known for wearing very revealing costumes in her films. Such outfits were banned from Hollywood films after the Production Code started in 1930, and then was more strongly enforced in 1934.
It was popular at that time to promote an actress as mysterious, with an exotic background. The studios promoted Bara with a massive publicity campaign, billing her as the Egyptian-born daughter of a French actress and an Italian sculptor. They claimed she had spent her early years in the Sahara Desert under the shadow of the Sphinx, then moved to France to become a stage actress. They called her the Serpent of the Nile and encouraged her to discuss mysticism and the occult in interviews. Some film historians point to this as the birth of two Hollywood phenomena: the studio publicity department and the press agent, which would later evolve into the public relations (PR) person.
Theda Bara
On April 7, 1955, Theda Bara died of stomach cancer in Los Angeles, California. She was interred as Theda Bara Brabin in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. For her contribution to the film industry, Bara has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1994, she was honored with her image on a United States postage stamp designed by caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. The Fort Lee Film Commission dedicated Main Street and Linwood Avenue in Fort Lee, New Jersey, as "Theda Bara Way" in May 2006 to honor Theda, who made many of her films at the Fox Studio on Linwood and Main.
All around Artist, Shade DuBois inspired me with her looks, her presence and her ability to recreate vintage styles. She eagerly volunteered to be the model, the make-up artist, the hair stylist, the wardrobe stylist and provide a location to take some photos intended to pay tribute to Theda and the whole era. I have placed color photos because I have seen colorized photos of Theda.
When the movers and the shakers in the fashion, movie and television industry want a skilled make-up artist they call on Miss Shade DuBois. I think Shade and I made a great creative team with these tribute photos. Thank you Shade for all your creative efforts and for visiting with me for this blog so we can get to know you a little better!
Alan Mercer: Were you familiar with Theda Bara before doing this tribute?
Shade DuBois: I've always had an affinity for the 1920s and was always obsessed with stars like Clara Bow and Louise Brooks but never heard of Theda Bara until you suggested to do a recreation tribute shoot of her. I always do a lot of pre-production research before doing any type of shoot. I was surprised to learn about her background being the first female sex symbol in film and her drive. The more I learned about her the quicker she become one of my favorite silent film stars. This was definitely one of my most favorite shoots that I ever modeled for.
AM: What do you think of her style?
SD: Theda Bara was a woman way ahead of her time. She was raw and authentic. Her passion for her craft is what appeals to me the most. She became the embodiment of each character, not because of a "learned style" but it’s because she did what she loved. She was type cast as the "Vamp" for the rest of her career but even that made her push herself even more and without needing public approval or appreciation she continued to be her most authentic self.
AM: That must have been difficult.
SD: Sometimes it’s hard to be different and want for more in this world than others want and that can create depression, common in the industry but she persevered and that takes moxie! She was able to laugh at it all, knowing she knew who she really was inside.
AM: You are known for creating past era looks on models. Have you always been interested in the looks and styles of the past?
SD: I've always loved vintage. As an artist I am drawn to recreate what I feel inside and vintage inspires a spark inside me that I must immediately create with my hands. I’m just sure I had a past life in the 20s and the 1950s. I always spent the summers at each grandparent’s house digging through vintage closets and storage sheds. My grandfather taught me photography on his Brownie camera and I fell in love with documenting vintage artifacts. I also love history and archaeology so I have studied that as well for many years and have made recreated artifacts which I incorporate into my craft.
AM: Have you always been a make-up artist?
SD: I am an artist and that means I make whatever I feel that stirs my soul.
AM: With a name like DuBois you must be French.
SD: I’m half French and half American Indian and mostly just an eclectic mosaic of whatever inspires me. I started with my own ancestry recreating art and having little acting scenes from the books I would read in my homemade costumes. I love every decade though because it’s a challenge for me and something to learn about things I really like. I have a picture of me at age 3 wearing my Aunt's 1960's wig, I’m still that kid playing for a living.
Photo from the private collection of Shade DuBois
AM: Have you always considered yourself an artist?
SD: I knew I was an artist since I could remember, I used everything I could get my hands on to paint something. Got in lots of trouble too by painting everything I owned including tv's and furniture. I made outfits all the time for everything from Barbies to hamsters, my brother and all my little neighborhood friends.
AM: I love that!
SD: I used to take my mother’s Avon trial lipsticks and charge kids in the neighborhood for lipstick makeovers for a quarter. I would wear poodle skirts (that I made) to grade school and wonder why no else did it too. Later in High school, during the decade of "Perms", I would freehand cut hair and do makeup for $5.00 until my parents would get calls from other parents telling them no more haircuts. I think everyone was glad when I finally did go get my cosmetology license. I love that I get to still do the same thing I did at age 3, I play dress up for other people for a living. Your face is my canvas and I'll create all the props in between to turn you into living breathing work of art.
AM: Do you prefer fashion shoots or movie work?
SD: I have no preference in what type of work that I do for a living in the industry. Art and inspiration is what drives me. I love change and new ideas. To create something that hasn't been done before. I never live the same day everyday so why would I want to in the industry? I live, eat, sleep and breathe art. I’m lucky, so very lucky.
AM: What would you be doing if not make-up?
SD: I started out as an artist, went to school for art, business, psychology, archaeology and then finally cosmetology school. I began as a model in the industry and then moved to the other side of the camera because it inspired me. I worked as a hairdresser in a salon for 15 years and doubled as a makeup artist and hair color specialist educator for Aveda Corporation and worked runway and photoshoots.
AM: You have had a full life already!
SD: I then had my own salon, "Shades of Art" for 10 years. I made jewelry that I sold there in the studio as well as 9 other stores. I did custom paintings for people, upcycled furniture, anything that sparked me, I did it.
AM: You are a renaissance woman.
SD: My next reinvention was to sell everything I owned and move to Texas to be a makeup artist in film. I came 6 years ago with 2 suitcases and started an incredible business called, "Bombshell Factory" doing makeup, hair, FX and wardrobe for film, television and print. I brought together a very talented group of artists to do "their thing" and it’s been wonderful!
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AM: That is fabulous Shade!
SD: My career has always involved art and it also evolves with art. I’ve re-invented myself in my career about every 5-10 years. I’m excited to see what my next evolution will take me. But, everything I’ve ever done contributes to the next leg of my journey.
AM: How does someone become a successful make-up artist?
SD: I love the quote, " Follow your bliss and your success will be effortless". That quote I took to heart and still say to myself often. It is how I made my decisions to start each new level of my career. I listened to my inner guide on what gave me a stirring passion. Still to this day I look back and I’m astounded at what I have done and who I've had the opportunity to meet, celebrities , musicians and more incredible artists that are now a part of my film family. But then again, I tell myself I daydreamed it into existence.
AM: I believe that we have the power to daydream our life into existence too. What’s the best way to do that?
SD: Listen to your own inspiration and if you have a hunger, then study, study, study it. Practice every single day on yourself, on friends, on family and even your dog, well maybe not makeup on your dog, (Laughter) but I’ve been known to make things for mine like a fake mohawk and other embarrassing outfits for her.
AM: What about the practical aspects of being a make-up artist?
SD: Go to Cosmetology school, work at a makeup counter, go to the school of YouTube, read books like Kevin Aucoin and Way Bandy as well as the latest makeup books. Get as much experience working under a mentor and being out there with clients. I worked as an assistant for a year then did tons of free film work to get my name out there. I also do makeup reviews and post about them. You can start doing that right now with no experience necessary, just play. So, work for free, work for money but do it because you love it.
AM: That is good advice.
SD: Incorporate all the things you love into your craft. It’s work but it won’t seem like it. Start out with inexpensive makeup and work your way up to HD makeup with each gig put a little back into product purchase funds. Visualize every day what it would feel like to be a professional makeup artist so you know what to do once you are there.
AM: We both believe in the power of the mind for success. These are life secrets as well.
SD: Say good things to yourself, use affirmations and law of attraction. Always go the extra mile, because it feels good and people will remember you. Most of all, be happy, laugh a lot and create. It keeps the inspiration alive. Gather a tribe that is supportive of dreams and spend time brainstorming and playing. My loving tribe is how I am able to do what I do in this business. I have been in the business 30 years and I will never stop learning. Be open to whatever opportunities present themselves even if it’s something you don’t know how to do yet.
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AM: Especially if it’s something you’ve never done! You work with assistants a lot, don’t you?
SD: Yes, each assistant that I train, I tell them to ask themselves, "Do I love this"? Do it because you love it and I promise being in the flow will lead you to an incredible journey. I keep an ongoing 'bucket list" that I keep revising because I keep get my wishes. I don’t wait, I jump off the cliff to be open to new adventures. It’s not just about a career, it’s about all you as an authentic person and you’re doing what you love. I am authentic because, who I am in business is who I am in real life. I work at it constantly, knowing who I am inside so I can be real to you. I hope to teach my assistants and anyone else interested in the business, to give yourself permission to "play" and that really is the only requirement necessary to life and as a professional makeup artist.
AM: What is your ideal future?
SD: I'm all about, "What fun thing is next?" I will always continue to play and do art. Currently one of the next adventures is to have a studio with my photography partner, and mentor, Rich Raymond of "Rich Raymond Photography". We definitely make magic together because we are on that same creative resonating wavelength. I also love working with a variety of other people, photographers, actors, and artists in the industry because I get to keep learning. We freely teach other and that is such a win-win for both of us, one of the greatest benefits of this industry. I will always have this as a part of my life.
AM: That is the best life!
SD: I’m also excited to be getting a vintage airstream. I have been practicing a minimalist way of living by downsizing. I’m giving myself 6 months to a year of practicing this way of living with lots, and lots of research on RV's and RV living, tips and tricks of the lifestyle. This time next year I will be a traveling gypsy makeup artist with my sister and a fantastic home base studio in Dallas for more fabulous creative inspirations. I am a jack of all trades in the art arena, I make recycled art, furniture, random things that I sell to the public. I follow the wanderlust and that feels really good. Passion would be the one word that is a constant in my life. I just go where the art leads me to go.
Follow Shade on Instagram here