Summary of "SYMHC Classics: Theda Bara"

Podcast: Stuff You Missed in History Class
Hosts: Holly Fry & Tracy V. Wilson
Episode: SYMHC Classics: Theda Bara
Release Date: April 19, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "SYMHC Classics: Theda Bara," hosts Holly Fry and Tracy V. Wilson delve into the fascinating life and legacy of Theda Bara, often hailed as the first sex symbol of the silver screen. Theda Bara's journey from a stage enthusiast to a meticulously crafted Hollywood icon exemplifies early 20th-century star-making techniques and the profound impact of public relations in shaping celebrity personas.

Early Life and Ambitions

Theda Bara was born Theodosia Goodman on July 29, 1885, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her parents, Bernard Goodman and Pauline Louise Francoise de Coppet, provided her with a comfortable upbringing. Theodosia, affectionately known as Theo among friends, was an ambitious child who loved reading and performing. Her penchant for elaborate dress-ups and staging parlor tableaux in her childhood foreshadowed her future in acting.

Theda Bara: “Her childhood... she was not a quiet, bookish child because she could also be a handful.”
(03:08)

Despite her early interest in acting, Theodosia pursued a more conventional path initially, attending Walnut Hills High School and later the University of Cincinnati. However, her yearning for theatrical expression led her to New York City in 1905, where she began her journey on the stage, participating in various touring companies and striving for recognition in the performing arts.

Transition to Film

By late 1914, with her stage career not yielding the success she desired and facing age-related casting challenges, Theodosia was approached by Frank Powell, a director from Fox Film Company. Powell saw potential in her for the burgeoning film industry, despite Theodosia's initial reluctance to abandon her theatrical aspirations.

Tracy V. Wilson: “She was also 30, so she was starting to hit the point where she was seen as too old for most of the lead roles that she wanted.”
(11:12)

Opting to take the risk, Theodosia signed a five-year contract with Fox, marking her official entry into the film world. Her debut project, "A Fool There Was," introduced her to the silver screen, but it was the strategic crafting of her public persona that truly catapulted her to stardom.

Crafting the Theda Bara Persona

Fox Film Studio recognized the potential gamble in promoting an unknown actress alongside established stars like Edward Jose. To mitigate this, the studio embarked on an extensive public relations campaign to create an alluring and mysterious persona for Theda Bara, transforming her from Theodosia de Coppet into "Theda Bara."

Name Transformation

The name "Theda Bara" was meticulously chosen to evoke exoticism and intrigue. Various iterations were tested before settling on a name that would resonate with audiences and fit the vamp archetype the studio envisioned.

Theda Bara: “And her name had been the first to go... But they landed at another nickname, Theta, and decided that was the one.”
(13:53)

Press Conference and Backstory Fabrication

In January 1915, Fox orchestrated a grand press conference in Chicago, transforming a hotel meeting room into an Egyptian fantasy to introduce Theda Bara to the public. Theda's fabricated backstory narrated her origins in the shadow of the pyramids, with imaginary parents from France and Italy, and a childhood spent near the Sphinx. This extravagant narrative was designed to enchant the press and audience alike.

Theda Bara: “This velvet curtain was opened, and there sat the enthralling Theda Barra making her debut to the world.”
(24:10)

Theda's revealing attire and mystique were intentional choices to align her image with her vamp role, ensuring that her on-screen presence left a lasting impression.

The Vamp Archetype

Theda Bara became synonymous with the "vamp"—a femme fatale who enticed men to their downfall. This persona was a strategic move to differentiate her from other actresses and create a niche that appealed to early 20th-century audiences fascinated by themes of seduction and danger.

Theda Bara: “She did not die in 1922, but in 1919, her contract with Fox ended... She was very good at doing her public Persona.”
(38:32)

"A Fool There Was" and Public Reception

"Theda Bara's" debut film, "A Fool There Was," based on Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Vampire," showcased her captivating performance as a manipulative woman who drains men of their vitality. The film was a commercial success, earning millions and solidifying Theda Bara's status as a major star.

Tracy V. Wilson: “...the studio had been working on ways to turn Theta into a sensation, but now all the eggs had to be in one basket.”
(19:39)

Critics lauded her performance, with reviews highlighting her ability to portray complex emotions and her striking screen presence.

Tracy V. Wilson: “The film was called Bold and Relentless by the New York Dramatic Mirror.”
(36:45)

However, not all feedback was positive. Some audience members struggled to separate her on-screen persona from her real-life character, leading to misconceptions about her personal morals and actions.

Theda Bara's Legacy and Later Career

Theda Bara starred in over 40 films in a span of four years, defining the vamp role and embedding it into cinematic lore. Her performances in films like "Salome," "Cleopatra," and "Sin, the Serpent, and Destruction" further cemented her image as a symbol of seductive power. The term "vamp" itself entered the lexicon, largely thanks to her portrayal.

Tracy V. Wilson: “The first known use of a noun describing such a woman was in 1918... she was really not an outlier in the least.”
(28:27)

Despite her significant impact on early cinema, Theda Bara's theatrical aspirations remained unfulfilled. Her attempt to return to the stage with "The Blue Flame" in 1920 received harsh criticism, which, coupled with the decline of her vamp persona's popularity, led to a gradual withdrawal from acting.

In 1921, Theda Bara married director Charles Braben, choosing a more private and stable personal life away from the relentless spotlight of Hollywood. Their marriage remained largely out of the public eye, in stark contrast to her tumultuous ascent to fame.

Retirement and Death

After retiring from acting, Theda Bara lived a relatively quiet life, traveling and spending time with her family. She passed away on April 7, 1955, from stomach cancer, leaving behind a legacy as one of cinema's earliest and most enigmatic stars.

Tracy V. Wilson: “She was financially stable her entire life after her fame sort of tapered out. She seemed to love her husband and they seemed genuinely pretty happy together.”
(44:16)

Conclusion

Theda Bara's story is a testament to the power of image crafting and the early influence of public relations in shaping celebrity culture. While much of her enduring fame stems from the artificial persona created by Fox Film Studio, it is undeniable that her talent and charisma played pivotal roles in her lasting legacy. Theda Bara not only captivated audiences of her time but also set the standard for the archetypal Hollywood vamp, influencing generations of actresses and the portrayal of women in cinema.

Tracy V. Wilson: “She intrigued them. She scared them. She enthralled them... She's a fun one.”
(45:20)

Notable Quotes:

• Tracy V. Wilson: “She was actually pretty tame... so today I thought it would be interesting to look at how this early film celebrity was basically created through careful planning by a PR team.”
  (03:35)

• Theda Bara: “I feel like my true self with you. Does that sound crazy?”
  (02:01)

• Theda Bara: “The vampire that I play is the vengeance of my sex upon its exploiters. You see, I have the face of the vampire, but the heart of a feminist.”
  (37:06)

• Tracy V. Wilson: “Theda starred in 40 films over the next four years, which is incredible to me.”
  (38:32)

Final Thoughts:
Theda Bara's blend of genuine talent and strategic image management made her a pioneering figure in Hollywood's golden age. Her ability to embody the vamp persona while maintaining a private and stable personal life underscores the complexities of early celebrity culture. Theda Bara remains a compelling study of how image and reality intertwine in the making of a star.