Bellydancers and Harem Girls --
Theda Bara

Theda Bara was, by her own description, "a nice Jewish girl ... from Cincinnati." However, she was loved by the world for being anything but nice. Her most famous line is, "Kiss me, my fool!"

The silent film star, born Theodosia Goodman, was the first Hollywood sex symbol, putting the word "vamp" in the dictionary. She wore outrageous costumes in her films, and portrayed the sexually seductive embodiment of evil.

Speculations about her not-so-weird life were hysterical. Although her father was a tailor, rumour had it she was born in a tent in the Sahara desert, the love child of an Egyptian mistress and a French artist. Her name was alleged to be an anagram of "Arab Death," although it is much more probable that it was a short form of Theodosia Barringer (Barringer being one of her family names). Theda, after all, was one of her childhood nicknames.

Hollywood legend had it Theda possessed mystical powers. Certainly, her publicity photos did not belie this image, having her surrounded by skeletons, crystal balls, ravens, and other occult symbols.

Theda's best-known film was Cleopatra where she portrayed the scantily-clad title role. Unfortunately, no copies of this movie have survived. This, along with most of her other movies, were destroyed in a warehouse fire. Nevertheless, there are extant copies of promotional stills.

Theda Bara died in April 1955 at the age of 69.

Check out Theda's gallery:

The most interesting site I've found on Theda is Theda's Hollywood. Check it out!