Carmen (Fox, 1915). Fine- on Linen. Three Sheet (41" X 81").. ...

Description

Carmen (Fox, 1915). Fine- on Linen. Three Sheet (41" X 81").
Contemporary reviews of Carmen (presumed lost) gave full marks to director Raoul Walsh and its spectacular star, Theda Bara, for recreating a dramatic verisimilitude of the original without attempting to be faithful. The production setting and supporting cast were also to be admired. Bara's fiery intensity as she is devouring Micaela is a testament to both the high quality of the poster art and the pitched level of dramatic fervor achieved in the film. Carmen was later that year (1915) the subject of a parody Burlesque on Carmen by Charlie Chaplin owing to the dueling Carmens - the other being the Paramount production of the same year starring Geraldine Farrar, who was then at her peak in her screen debut. Theda Bara was of course chiefly known for her volcanic roles as man-devouring vampire archetypes, but here she can be seen, by contemporary accounts since the film is lost, as an exemplar of the dramatic actress prototype, a direct antecedent of the modern Diva. Professional restoration addressed paper loss to the upper background, fold wear, crossfold separation, chips, tears in the borders, and missing corners. The borders, parts of the interior, and the lettering were airbrushed.


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