The American Venus (Paramount, 1926). Very Fine- on Linen. One Sheet (27" X 41") Style A.. ...

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The American Venus (Paramount, 1926). Very Fine- on Linen. One Sheet (27" X 41") Style A.
The American Venus (presumed lost), starring Esther Ralston, Ford Sterling, Lawrence Gray, Fay Lanphier ("winner of the Atlantic City Beauty Contest" in 1925), Louise Brooks, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The film is a satire of beauty contests, outwardly about two rival cosmetic companies seeking the endorsement of the winner of the American Venus pageant (Ralston), set at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, which had began just five years before in 1921. A fragment of the two-strip Technicolor footage was recently discovered with a few seconds of Brooks in costume, a tantalizing glimpse into her appearance in her second film (first screen credit, considered her film debut) in which she played Miss Bayport in the contest. Brooks, the incandescent siren of American silent film, was cheered aloud on the live set by the audience when she walked onto the stage in costume and was singled out by film critics. Owing to the scantily clad bathing beauties in Technicolor, the film was extremely popular and toured the U.S. for two years, leading to Brooks being among the most written about actresses by 1927. Professional restoration included touchup to fold wear and center crossfold separation, and tear near the upper border. The borders were lightly airbrushed.


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