Regular readers of Balladeer’s Blog may remember my fondness for silent movies.
CLEOPATRA (1917) – Born Theodosia Goodman in Cincinnati, OH on July 29th, 1885, Theda Bara was the first monumental “man-eating”, femme fatale sex symbol in American cinema. It was inevitable that she would portray one of history’s most notorious women. Only part of this film has survived, and the story is a mix of various accounts of Cleopatra’s activities.
Cleopatra is covertly brought to Julius Caesar (Fritz Leiber Sr.) wrapped in a carpet and seduces him. The pair plan to conquer the known world, but Caesar’s assassination prevents this. A plot to kill Cleopatra herself is formed within her own court, but Pharon (Albert Roscoe), the designated assassin, succumbs to his love for her instead. Continue reading
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